20 Signs You're Pretty Happy With Life (Even If You Don't Always Feel It)

It’s kind of awesome when you take a look around and realize that you’re actually pretty content with your life.

Sure, life has its ups and downs, but if you can go for a fairly long period of time without feeling despair or abject rage, then that’s pretty amazing.

So, what are some signs that you’re pretty happy with your life overall? Here’s a list.

Sure, they’ll vary from person to person, but most people who are fairly content with their life will experience many of them.

1. You can sleep easily and well.

One of the biggest clues that things are going well with your life is that you sleep like a coma patient.

When we’re stressed or otherwise unhappy with aspects of our lives, sleep doesn’t come easily. We toss and turn and have difficulty sleeping, plagued with worries, fears, and other difficulties. It’s almost impossible to shut our brains off when we’re unhappy.

If you can fall asleep easily and wake in the morning feeling rested and content, things are going quite well indeed.

2. You feel like you know your purpose.

Some of the happiest people on the planet are those who are following their life’s purpose. They wake up every day enthusiastic about the gifts they’re going to bestow upon the world, and go to bed feeling like they’ve accomplished something great.

If you feel like you know what you’re meant to do in this lifetime, and you’re taking solid action to do it, it’s safe to say that your happiness level is pretty high.

3. You want to help make the world a better place.

Everyone has skills that they can use for the betterment of others. Some might turn their attentions toward environmental conservation to help save the planet. Others may put their carpentry skills to use with Habitat for Humanity.

Whatever your unique skill set is, you’re eager to use it to help leave this world in better shape than how you found it.

4. You don’t feel overly competitive with others.

Most of us have friends or relatives who can be quite competitive with us. This type of behavior generally comes from a sense of unhappiness with one’s life circumstances. No matter what’s going on in your life, they feel the need to compete or one-up somehow.

You met some of your fitness goals? Well, they can lift more or run faster than you can. Do you love what you do for a living? That’s great, but they make more money. Sigh.

If you feel absolutely no need to compete with others when they tell you what’s going on in their lives, that’s a big sign that you’re pretty content with your life.

When you’re happy, you don’t feel a need to compare yourself to others: you’re blessed with where you are and what you have.

5. No (or few) digestive issues.

People who aren’t particularly happy with their lives tend to suffer from a slew of digestive issues. Heartburn, appetite loss (or binge-eating), nausea, and IBS are just a few of the symptoms that chronic stress, anxiety, and depression can cause.

If you have a healthy appetite and aren’t suffering from anything other than your own regular cycles, then that’s a great sign!

(Of course, this type of glee may not apply if you have inflammatory issues like leaky gut, celiac, or Crohn’s… but even with those conditions, you know when things are feeling worse than usual.)

6. You feel content with where you are and who you’re with.

Do you ever look around and just smile because you like what you see?

Maybe you love to walk around your neighborhood, smiling and waving at familiar faces. Or you adore the view from your favorite window in the house.

Do you have a great partner, or amazing housemates? Or wonderful friends you get together with on a regular basis, rather than talking yourself into various social interactions?

These are all pretty solid clues that you’re in a great place, both physically and emotionally.

7. Home is a place of solace rather than anxiety or stress.

It sucks when you feel like you’re walking on eggshells all the time. Life can be stressful enough, but when the place you eat and sleep is a potential minefield of abuse, toxic behavior, or neglect, that can wreak havoc on body, mind, and soul.

If home is a place that you look forward to being, where you can relax in relative safety and calm, then you’re incredibly lucky.

Whether you live alone or with others, you’re not bracing because there might be something stressful to deal with at any given moment. Instead, home is a place of replenishment, safety, and joy.

8. You have pastimes you enjoy and you don’t feel guilty about doing them.

When we’re stressed out or stretched thin from various life obligations, we often don’t allow ourselves to have fun. Playing or taking part in beloved pastimes feels somehow indulgent; like we “should” be doing something more productive instead.

If you have a good work-life balance going on, you can dedicate time to the things you love, and not feel ashamed for doing so.

Do you like to collect vintage toys? Sew quilts? Make costumes and do superhero cosplay? To each their own ecstasy! Hopefully you have plenty of time to dedicate to enjoyment rather than constant responsibility.

9. You’re happy with your surroundings.

If you can glance around the room you’re in and not cringe at the decor, that’s a good thing. Even better if you feel that way about the area surrounding your own home.

Where we live has a remarkable impact on our overall happiness. If you hate everything about the rooms in which you live your life, that’ll make you miserable. Same goes for your neighborhood, or whether you’re in a city or a rural area.

If you’re content with the objects around you, as well as the area in which you live, that’s freaking awesome.

10. Mind and body are in harmony (more or less).

It’s awful when one lies awake at night because their body is exhausted but their mind is active. Or vice versa: they want to be physically active but they’re mentally drained from work, parenting, or various other life responsibilities.

If you have a good routine going, it’s likely that your body and mind will be working together as a team. You can focus on what you’re doing in the present moment without distraction, and you’re capable of doing what you set your mind on.

You can do the best you can within your own realm of physical capability, and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

11. You are happy either with or without a partner.

Although the idea of saying “you complete me” to a partner sounds sweet, it’s more than a little codependent. You are complete unto yourself. If you’re in a good place emotionally, you’ll be fairly content whether you’re with someone or single.

If you’re single, you might want intimate company like most others do, but you’re unlikely to feel like there’s a gaping hole in your life that only a partner will change. You’re good where you are, and a partner would just add to the wholeness that’s already there.

Alternatively, if you already have a partner, you can appreciate your relationship with them without being clingy or needy. You two have a good dynamic, but you also know you’d be okay if you found yourself solo again.

12. You’re committed to working on all your relationships to keep them healthy.

This isn’t limited to romantic partnerships, but rather refers to all the relationships you have in your life.

You might make a point of staying in regular contact with your parents or grandparents to cultivate some good intergenerational bonds.

Maybe you have established lunch dates with good friends, video calls with your siblings, and pub nights with your colleagues.

Basically, you recognize the importance of keeping all your interpersonal relationships in good working order. These people matter to you, so you invest time and effort into making sure everyone feels cared about and appreciated.

13. You don’t freak out about minor inconveniences.

This is also known as “not sweating the small stuff.”

When we’re stressed or overwhelmed, the tiniest perceived inconvenience can make us go from 0 to 100 in a matter of seconds.

The sound of someone stirring their coffee too loudly might make you go absolutely ballistic, or finding out that the grocery store is out of your favorite chocolate brand might have you screaming at the manager.

In contrast, people who are pretty content with life just shrug off these minor issues. They’ll adapt, try something new, maybe suggest to their partner or housemate (calmly, with good humor) that they ease off with the cutlery. They’re chill and reasonable rather than brittle and potentially incendiary.

14. There’s little to no unnecessary drama in your life.

Most likely, you’re discerning in the company you keep and quick to distance yourself from those who are unnecessary whirlwinds, or continue to make poor life choices.

Similarly, you avoid getting into pointless arguments with others. You have better things to do with your time, and don’t want to waste it on those who won’t hear you.

If you’re in a romantic relationship, it’s with a person who enhances your life and offers you joy, support, friendship, and intimacy as an equal, not a dependent.

You have strong boundaries with extended family members, a healthy work relationship with colleagues, and a decent rapport with your kids, if you have any.

A lack of drama is a huge indicator that life is going quite well.

15. You’re not a slave to your emotions.

When we’re in rough emotional or mental states, we can often feel like we’re riding emotional rollercoasters. They can throw us into spirals and overwhelm us, so we’re battling intrusive thoughts, crying episodes, or even paralyzing depressive spells.

In contrast, we have much better control of our emotions when we’re feeling content with life. Intrusive thoughts can be brushed aside or even laughed at. Crying spells may still happen, but they’re fewer and far between.

16. Others come to you for advice.

You often find yourself comforting others or giving them advice/direction, but it’s from a relaxed point of view. Furthermore, you don’t offer unsolicited advice. Instead, people come to you and ask if they can get your input, since you seem to be in a really good place.

When someone’s life is going well, they radiate an aura of light and contentment. This is apparent to others, even though said aura might not be tangibly visible. As a result, those other people will often ask for guidance in their own struggles.

After all, if you’ve sorted out some magic to happiness, maybe you’ll be willing to help them too.

17. You get a lot of propositions, whether it’s intimate or just people who want to be friends with you.

People are drawn to those who radiate good energy. If you find that you’re getting random propositions from folks, or are just being chatted up by people around you, then you’re probably shining like a beacon.

These people will be drawn to you like moths to a flame, simply because you’re shining with sincere happiness.

Just be careful: a lot of narcissists and borderline people can be drawn to this kind of light, only to end up smothering it.

18. You may still be hungry to further personal accomplishments, but there’s no anxiety about it.

Do you have some big life goals on your vision board or “to-do” list? Then chances are you’re working toward achieving those, but without a sense of pressure or dread to get them done.

Basically, you know that you’re going to achieve these things, and you’ll do so with a sense of yearning and joy, rather than self-loathing and admonishment.

You’ll set aside time needed to get them done while keeping other life aspects in balance. You will get there when the time is right, right?

19. You celebrate other people’s joy and success without feeling envy.

This is related to #4 higher on the list, only that one dealt with competition rather than envy or jealousy.

People who are unhappy with their lives tend to feel sharp pangs of envy when others are doing well. If a friend, relative, or colleague suddenly got a new house, or a car, or even a new lover, that might cause an instant stab of pain. It’s a “why does that person deserve happiness when I can’t catch a break?” kind of situation.

In contrast, people who are feeling content and secure in their own lives can feel happy for others when great things happen to them. And hey, that kind of happiness keeps paying itself forwards, doesn’t it?

20. You just feel “good.”

Do you catch yourself smiling for no apparent reason? You could be completely alone, sitting in stillness, and realize that you have an enormous grin on your face without a direct causal factor.

Maybe you’re celebrating tiny little things with great enthusiasm, or you loll around in bed on the weekend, scrunching your toes in the sheets and reveling in the glory of simply being.

Generally, if you check in with yourself on a regular basis and determine that yes, you feel rather awesome, that’s the strongest sign of all.

As you can see, there are some significant indicators that you’re pretty happy with your life. Those mentioned above are some of the major ones, but there will also be other signs that are unique to the individual.

For example, a person who likes to sing might be silent when upset, but will warble merrily while doing the dishes or vacuuming when they’re happy. Similarly, you might be able to tell whether a friend of yours is happy or not based on whether they’re dressed in bright or somber hues.

Get yourself a large jar or container, and some gorgeous-looking writing paper. Cut that paper into strips or squares, and write down every time you feel happy about something going on in your life.

This can be as big as a major win, or as simple as the fact that your local barista makes your coffee exactly the way you like it.

Toss these joyful notes into that container and watch how quickly it fills up. This will show you without a shadow of a doubt that your life is a lot happier than you might realize.

Sure, we all have dark days, but if many or most of the signs on this list apply to you, then you are very blessed indeed.

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