There is plenty of information on how saying no can change your life, whether at work or in your personal life. It allows you to set boundaries and avoid being taken advantage of. However, while being able to say no is important, it is not the only thing you should do. As important as saying no can be, saying yes is just as beneficial for living a happy life.
But sometimes, you don’t even need to say yes. Sometimes, you should focus on what you want to do. Even with a range of responsibilities and commitments, you can still find time to follow your dreams. Of course, you don’t want to put others out or let people down, but you also don’t want to miss out on doing the things that make you happy.
It can be tricky to do whatever you want, but it is not impossible, so here are ten ways to do what you want to do more often and live a happier life for yourself.
Take Time To Think About What You Want
Just because you have the freedom to do what you want doesn’t mean you know what you want to do right now. It’s easy to fall back into your routine, but this quickly becomes boring when you consider how much there is to do.
If you want to try something different, take the time to think about what you want and what you want to do. Look at previous experiences and remember how they made you feel. These activities can direct you towards something that could change your life and help you do something different.
Stop Caring What Others Think
A lot of people are held back from doing what they want to do because they spend too long worrying about what others think. This could include dressing a certain way or going to concerts that your friends and family think are lame.
But, if you worry about what others think, you’ll never be able to experience something that could make you happy. The same goes for wanting to change. If you experience hair loss, you might feel self-conscious about seeking treatment, but products like a Laser Cap will transform your life and boost your confidence, which will make it easier for you to feel self-assured and seek new experiences.
Stop Waiting Around for An Answer
If you’ve ever wanted to see a movie or visit an exhibition, you’ve probably reached out to friends or family to see if they want to join. A lot of people don’t like doing things by themselves, so they rely on others as a crutch to make them feel more comfortable, especially in new environments.
However, if you wait around for answers, you may miss out on events that could excite you or introduce you to new people. So, instead of waiting for concrete answers, just go for it. If people want to join they are free to but don’t hinge your whale experience on having someone to go with.
Search For Like-Minded People
Your friends and family might not share all the same interests as you, which is a good thing. You don’t want to be surrounded by the same ideas all of the time. But, their lack of interest in the things you like means you have no one to share your experiences with.
Thankfully, making friends online has never been easier. Apps, groups, and forums can put you in direct contact with like-minded people. It’s always intimidating joining a new group, but as these people share the same passions as you, it will open up a whole new world of opportunities.
Learn More
You might feel as if you don’t know enough to do different things in your life, which could hold you back. No one wants to seem like a total amateur, even if you don’t have any experience with this specific activity. The good news is that you can take advantage of a wealth of online resources to improve your skills and prepare you for doing the things you’ve always wanted to do.
Learning more will open your mind and introduce you to ideas that you’d otherwise only briefly hear about in your life. It can transform your perspective and help you approach things differently, which gives you a strong foundation to build on.
Discover What Was Holding You Back
If you know what is holding you back, you may be able to make changes to your schedule, lifestyle, or circle to help you do more things that you enjoy doing. If you’ve noticed a local meeting, such as a creative writing class, but never have the time to go, consider how you can adjust or rearrange your day to make it there every week.
You can’t sit around lamenting that you want to do things. If you want to enjoy life more, you need to be proactive in how you make this possible.
Say Yes
Although you can’t say yes to everything all the time, saying yes now and again could be just what you have been missing. Perhaps you have a colleague who is into the same things as you, but you don’t want to be too upfront with them. The next time they suggest doing something fun, don’t hesitate to get involved. You might discover that they are the type of friends you’ve been missing.
Stop Being So Judgmental
Similarly, recognizing when you are being judgmental will help you approach more activities with an open mind and could give you the chance to experience something different. Everyone has their preconceptions about certain activities, whether you consider them dorky or childish or any other type of high school insult.
Being judgmental will only hold you back, and if you want to do more things more often, it’s time to leave your prejudices at the door and try something that you wouldn’t have done otherwise. There’s still a chance you won’t enjoy it, but at least you gave it a shot, which is the least you can do.
Find Something Unique
When people think about things they want to do, they always think about the same things. They want to play an instrument or write a book or travel the world. There’s nothing wrong with any of these dreams, but they are still a minuscule example of the possibilities out there.
You do not need to go far to discover something unique and even unique activities will have a healthy number of fans who you can get in touch with and learn more. Doing what you want isn’t about sticking to the safe options. Instead, it’s about discovering something that you will adore.
Invest In the Right Gear
Finally, some activities demand substantial investment. If you want to throw yourself headfirst into something fun, you need to invest in the right gear. From running to cycling to gaming, you need gear and equipment that give you the best experience.
But, some of this gear can be expensive and you don’t want to spend too much on a fleeting interest. Instead, look for donations or second-hand items that help you get the basics down, and from there, you can start to think about making a larger investment later on.
Just Doing It
Sometimes, you just need to do it, whatever that might be. Otherwise, you end up wondering what you could have done and regretting your missed experiences. Whether you want to do it by yourself or have found a reliable group of friends to explore the world and everything it has, these tips should help you find the perfect balance and do as much as you want.