Daily life can be boring, monotonous, and has the power to drive a relatively stable person insane. Learning how to cope with everyday troubles and improving your overall attitude are crucial steps when striving to live a happy life. In the article “How To Get Flat Abs, Have Amazing Sex, and Rule the World in 8 Easy Steps,” writer Kate Bartolotta gives readers eight simple ways to stay happy and content just by changing their everyday attitude. Here are some tips and tricks to serve as a reminder for how great your life actually is opposed to you view it. Although these ideas do not assure perfect grades, a stellar love life, shiny hair or long-lasting fame, they will help guide you on the path to happiness and confidence.
1. Go on a trip with friends, even if it is only a couple miles away or even in your backyard.
Escaping from your home or even building a tent right outside your house can be an incredibly easy and fun activity to do with close friends. Head out to Malibu Creek State Park or Point Mugu in Malibu where you and your friends can set up a campsite with s’mores and big sweaters.
2. Go exploring with your pet.
Create a nostalgic playlist on your iPod to wander around with a pet for an afternoon. Get some fresh air and exercise and maybe even find a new secret spot atop a hill to view all of Calabasas. Listen to Bob Dylan’s iconic album “The Times They Are A-Changin’” for a relaxing walk.
3. Learn how to give a compliment.
You can brighten someone’s whole day by simply complimenting her shoes. Make sure the compliment will be perceived as sincere and hold eye contact while stating something nice about her outfit, band tee-shirt, or even something she is doodling on the side of her Algebra 2 homework. By giving confidence to someone else, you are also giving confidence to yourself.
4. Go thrifting.
Items needed for a successful day of thrifting:
-a couple of friends
-a full stomach and tank of gas
Dive deep into the wonders of the piles these thrift or resale stores have to offer:
-Hidden Treasures on Topanga Canyon Blvd in Topanga Canyon
-Buffalo Exchange on Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks
-Salvation Army on Sepulveda Blvd in Sherman Oaks
-Wasteland on Ventura Blvd in Studio City
5. Do some volunteer work with a few friends on a pretty Saturday morning.
Do good deeds with great friends and feel fantastic for the rest of the day. Contribute positively to your surroundings by volunteering at The Motion Picture Hospital right across the street from the Elco Shop or volunteer at Mountains Restoration Trust next to CHS. Go online to www.mountainstrust.org for volunteer hours for the Restoration Trust or call the Motion Picture Hospital to set up time to volunteer.
6. Drive somewhere you used to visit as a kid.
Drive somewhere you used to visit as a kid. Buy whatever food you were obsessed with, and spend the day doing activities that used to give you kicks as a youngster. These simple pleasures will brighten your day even if you outgrew the Dumbo ride at Disneyland by a couple of feet.
7. Plan a movie marathon night with your best friend.
Be ridiculous and get creative with your movie marathon theme. Shape your entire night around these movies. Even have food that matches perfectly with the theme! Wear an iconic outfit from the movie.
-The “Unrealistic Attempts at Depicting Teenagers” theme can include The Breakfast Club, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and High School Musical.
-The “Gory Movies With A Lot of Fake Blood” theme can include The Collector, the Saw movies, the original Evil Dead, Carrie and all of the Scream movies.
8. Learn how to “treat yo self.”
Much like the characters in Parks and Recreation, learn how to give yourself a day of sheer guilty pleasure. Curl up in sweats, put on your favorite show, crack open a bag of Lays, order a Domino’s pizza and worry about the calories tomorrow.
