Finding your happy place

Over the last couple of years, finding a happy place has become a hunt for a better lifestyle—especially for those who work in the event and hospitality industry.

While we can’t change the circumstances of the past, we can take active measures to feel better about ourselves. That will help us strengthen our resiliency—and find that happy place.

Here are some thoughts from our community at Event Minds matter.

1. Cut back on social media

Moderation is the key to social media. there are many distortions, comparisons and doubts that bring the wrong attention and impression.

Real purpose and worth—such as cultivating good relationships, pursuing meaningful work, contributing to the community and learning new things—don’t always lend themselves to social-media sharing.

2. Do something your good at

Practice what you preach. Routinely engage with activities that use or improve your skills. When you’re doing something you’re good at or getting better at, it gets harder to think negatively about yourself. Just applying yourself to pursuits you find both interesting and challenging could, on its own, help to improve your self-perception.

3. Embrace balanced thinking

“Balanced thinking,” which shouldn’t be confused with trying to put a blindly positive spin on everything, is about considering the evidence for and against your self-critical thoughts. Catching, checking and changing unhelpful thoughts can make for meaningful differences.

4. Accept compliments

Take the positive feedback given and believe it. Accept it as it will help your outlook on life. There is no room for deflecting a compliment.

5. Respect your body

We spend a lot of time living in our bodies. Focus on what you can do well with your body and stop living in your head. There is a lot more to your body than what it looks like. There are benefits to caring for your body and the research is right in front of you.

6. Reminisce

Getting older often brings changes that can threaten your sense of who you are—the loss of loved ones, professional identity or independence, for example. It should come as no surprise, then, that self-esteem tends to peak at around age 60 and then declines. Take a trip down memory lane because the memories have shaped your life.

7. Practice self-compassion

Studies have linked self-compassion to self-acceptance, as well as resilience in difficult circumstances. Of course, being charitable to yourself is easier said than done, and people are often their own worst critics.

Face your flaws and learn from your mistakes. Give yourself some kindness.

8. Get moving

There’s no such thing as a cure-all, but exercise is the closest thing we have. Not only is it good for stress management and general mental health, but it also provides a sense of competence and accomplishment.

Choose whatever makes you happy but do something.

9. Seek support

Sometimes aiming for self improvement by itself is not the most effective approach, especially if you’re facing other challenges. Seeking help can lead to lasting results.

10. Help others (and accept their help)

Studies of people volunteering and performing acts of kindness suggest that caring is linked to high self-esteem. In fact, helping people and feeling good about yourself appear to promote each other in a virtuous cycle.