To celebrate the 7th February Blu-ray and DVD release of Eat Pray Love starring Julia Roberts, femalefirst have caught up with happiness expert Suzy Greaves to discover her top tips to being content in 2011!
Rule 1 – EAT - Ditch the ‘I’ll be happy when…..’ goals
When we delay happiness until we are thin/rich/successful enough or have bigger breasts or a better car, we put our life and happiness on hold.
Stop waiting to feel happy until you get ‘there’. There is no ‘there’. It doesn’t mean that you can’t set goals – but only ones that you will enjoy engaging with on a daily basis.
Spend time creating a meal and enjoy eating it with friends. The distinction is enjoying the journey versus it all about being the destination. Find daily goals that enhance your life on a daily basis. It feels good and you’ll feel happier.
Rule 2: PRAY - Increase the Currency of Slow in your life.
Yes, sometimes faster is better but I experiment with a slower pace and discover that some things are definitely done better slow – be it sex or a day in the park idling with the kids and the dog.
It’s doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fast food (or sex) sometimes but it’s more about being able to change gear, slow down, to stall – without your engine completely jamming.
Ask yourself – where and when is slow best? Are you more creative when you have time to daydream? Do you sleep better when you give yourself time to wind down? How can you increase the currency of slow in your life?
Rule 3 – LOVE - Learn to live with odd socks.
Focus on self acceptance versus than self improvement. Do you have a to-do list that constantly keeps you running, out of breath, trying to reach an expectation that you constantly fail to meet – be it matching socks or losing half a stone.
What if you gave up your to-do list? Try it. Give up trying to be perfect and let your standards drop and the quality of your life rise.
Tagged in Eat Pray Love