Characteristics Of True-Life Contentment
Life is hectic and messy. Add to that social media filling every minute of our lives, and it sometimes becomes too much for our senses to handle. If you’re not in control of your emotions, you can get swept away in all the commotion.
When that happens, you lose sense of your core values. Sometimes you also forget how to be truly happy.
But what are the characteristics of true-life contentment? And what does it mean to be ‘content?’
That’s what we’re here to find out. So, let’s get started…
What Does Contentment Mean?
According to the dictionary, contentment is the state of feeling overly happy. But it’s not an ‘excited ’type of happiness where you’re jumping for joy. It’s more a sense of peace and inner calm.
It’s that state of joy where you feel satisfied with what you have and grateful for it. You have realistic expectations and you know how to turn negatives into positive, fulfilling experiences.
Wikipedia says, “Contentment is an emotional state of satisfaction that can be seen as a mental state, maybe drawn from being at ease in one’s situation, body and mind. Colloquially speaking, contentment could be a state of having accepted one’s situation and is a milder and more tentative form of happiness.”
What Are The Characteristics Of True-Life Contentment?
Reaching a place in your life where you’re truly content takes dedication. It takes practice and hard work. You have to commit and make the conscious decision of how you want your life to be.
Do you want to be miserable and angry all the time? Do you want to be afraid and suffer from chronic anxiety? Or do you want to be at peace and do the things that make you happy?
It’s up to you!
Below are five common characteristics of true-life contentment every one of us should try to attain.
1. Being Yourself
Self-acceptance is a gift. It’s one of the most precious things you can do to ensure contentment and happiness.
Remember, we’re all on a journey of discovering who we are. And building faith and trust in your self-worth and value take time.
It’s also one of the hardest things you’ll have to do. And you’ll have to do it on your own.
Once you start accepting yourself, everyone else will too. No one is going to accept you if you’re having a hard time doing it.
2. Let Go Of Stuff
The media is always telling us that ‘stuff’ is what makes the world go round.
We’re told that having more stuff will make us happy. It doesn’t matter what ‘stuff’ they’re referring to. It’s something different for each one of us.
The key difference between living a life of contentment and being unhappy is letting go of the need for more stuff.
You may have piles and piles of money, but lacking a fulfilling, loving relationship. Or your circle of friends is almost non-existent. Your money won’t fill that void in your life.
To experience true-life contentment, you have to realize that things lose their lustre after a while. Buying more things will never equate to happiness or satisfaction. The quicker you recognize that, the happier you’ll be!
3. Gratitude
Get a notepad or a journal. Write down every single thing you’re thankful for.
Small things, big things—it doesn’t matter. The point is to make a list and be conscious of all the wonderful things going on in your life.
Add more stuff whenever you feel it, even if it’s something small. If you’re grateful for it, then that means it’s important.
Go back and read your gratitude journal once or twice a week. Just reading it several times a week will turn your negative thoughts into more positive-oriented ones.
Constantly going over the good things in your life can help reduce self-sabotaging talk we get in our heads sometimes. It’s also a great chance to remind yourself to be kinder and more empathetic to yourself.
The best time to read this list would be when you’re upset. What better way to put a smile on your face than by looking back on your grateful list.
Your mood will perk up. Plus, you’ll find yourself becoming more and more appreciative of your life and everything in it.
4. Being Present
The past is already done and dusted. You can’t change what happened for good or bad.
Likewise, the future hasn’t even come now. What’s the point of fretting over something that’s not in your power to change or modify? You’ll only make yourself sick.
Keep repeating to yourself, “There are things in life I can’t control.” As soon as you truly believe that you can begin your journey of contentment.
It’s simple really. All you have to do is focus your energy on this present moment. That’s the only thing you can change anyway.
So, why bother worrying about anything else. Plus, when you direct your attention to the factors that can affect change, you’ll be more content and way less stressed.
Doesn’t that sound good?
5. Optimism
Being optimistic isn’t simply seeing the world through rose-coloured glasses. It runs much deeper than that.
Optimism is one of life’s powering forces. Without it, we lose hope and depression sets its ugly claws in us.
Optimism helps us see the positive at all times, even through times of challenges or adversity, and this spills over into your feelings of being content with your life.
A positive mindset ensures that you see your life in the best possible light.
Having a positive mindset also affects not just your emotional state. It also benefits your physical and cognitive health.
Studies show that optimistic people don’t get sick as often as other people. They have better heart health and a strong immune system.
Plus, staying positive helps keep your memory skills sharp and improves your ability to focus.
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