6 Exercises to Help You Figure Out What Truly Makes You Happy

Finding what truly makes you happy can feel like a daunting task, but it’s one of the most important journeys you can embark on for personal growth and fulfillment. Often, happiness is influenced by external factors, societal expectations, or habits we’ve developed over time. But what about the activities, moments, and experiences that bring you genuine joy? Here are six exercises to help you tap into your authentic happiness.

1. Create a Happiness Inventory

A great place to start is by reflecting on past experiences. These are moments when you felt pure joy, excitement, or contentment. By reviewing those times, you can identify patterns and common themes.

How to Do It:

• Grab a journal and list five to ten times when you felt truly happy. These could be small moments like a peaceful walk in nature, or bigger life events like a successful project.

• Reflect on each experience and ask yourself:

• What was happening at that moment?

• Who were you with, if anyone?

• What were you thinking and feeling?

• What needs were being fulfilled?

• Look for patterns. Are there common themes or activities? This will help you uncover what consistently brings you happiness.

2. The Ideal Day Visualization

Visualization is a powerful tool to uncover what makes you happy by imagining what a perfect day looks like to you. This exercise helps you tap into what activities, environments, and people you naturally gravitate toward.

How to Do It:

• Close your eyes and imagine waking up in the morning on a day when you feel completely free to do whatever you want.

• Picture everything from your surroundings to what you do throughout the day:

• Where are you?

• Who are you with?

• What activities are you doing?

• How do you feel during this perfect day?

• After visualizing, write down what stood out. This can give you insight into the kind of environment and activities that contribute to your happiness.

3. Values Discovery Exercise

Our core values shape what brings us joy. When you live in alignment with your values, you’re more likely to feel fulfilled and happy. This exercise helps you pinpoint your key values and how they connect to happiness.

How to Do It:

• Start by brainstorming a list of values that resonate with you. Examples include creativity, freedom, adventure, kindness, or personal growth.

• Once you have your list, narrow it down to five core values that feel essential to who you are.

• Now, reflect on whether your life and daily activities align with these values. Are you making time for activities that connect to your values? If not, think of ways to incorporate more value-driven activities into your routine to foster happiness.

4. Try the “What If” Game

The “What If” game is a simple yet eye-opening exercise that helps you identify fears or societal pressures that may be blocking your true happiness. It allows you to imagine a life where those constraints are removed, encouraging you to think outside the box.

How to Do It:

• Ask yourself “What if” questions to open your mind to new possibilities:

• What if money wasn’t a concern? How would I spend my time?

• What if I wasn’t worried about other people’s opinions?

• What if I could wake up tomorrow and do anything, what would it be?

• Write down your responses to these questions. They can reveal activities, dreams, or passions that you’ve been suppressing, which could be key to your happiness.

5. Gratitude Reflection

Sometimes, happiness isn’t about discovering new things but appreciating what you already have. Gratitude helps you focus on the positive aspects of your life and highlights what truly brings you joy on a daily basis.

How to Do It:

• Keep a daily gratitude journal. At the end of each day, write down three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small they seem.

• At the end of the week, look back through your gratitude entries. Ask yourself:

• What things appeared multiple times?

• What patterns or themes can you see?

• This reflection will help you recognize the sources of happiness already present in your life, which can guide you toward activities and habits that uplift you.

6. Experiment and Reflect

Sometimes, the only way to figure out what makes you happy is to try new things. Happiness is not a fixed destination; it can evolve over time as you grow and change. Give yourself permission to experiment with different hobbies, activities, and experiences.

How to Do It:

• Pick one new activity or experience each week that intrigues you but that you’ve never tried before. It could be anything from joining a dance class to cooking a new recipe or spending time in nature.

• After trying each new activity, ask yourself:

• How did I feel during and after the experience?

• Did I feel energized or drained?

• Is this something I’d want to do again?

• This process of experimentation will help you discover what activities align with your true self and bring genuine happiness.

Finding Happiness Is a Journey

Figuring out what makes you happy isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a journey of self-reflection, experimentation, and mindfulness. By using these exercises, you’ll gradually uncover the activities, values, and experiences that bring you joy. Remember, happiness is deeply personal, and what makes someone else happy might not resonate with you—and that’s perfectly okay.

Start small, stay curious, and embrace the process of discovering what truly makes you happy!

Check out my free resources and download a free journal here to get started on your happiness journey today.

With warmth and inspiration,

Michelle

Your journey to a better you.

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