After I realized that happiness is based solely on ourselves, the way I've gone about life has changed for me. It has all been for the best. Sure, life will throw some curveballs, but for every minute we're angry at something, we lose 60 seconds of happiness. I'd like to take as much happiness out of life as I can. Some of these may be obvious, but I think the more we think about being happy and making the best decisions for ourselves the, the more it'll happen. If we think it, we can achieve it, right?

Give the world the best you have
and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.”

― Kent M. Keith, The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council

1.DON'T WORRY ABOUT THINGS YOU CAN'T CONTROL.

This has always been one of my biggest problems. For example, the train I was on had to stop because of a complication with the train in front. I was stressing the entire time, because I was going to be late for a meeting, stuck underground without service, and I thought I'd get in trouble. There was literally nothing I could do about it. It wasn't my fault, but I made it my problem.

I'm still working on letting things like this go, but I'm trying my best to chill out. These Aussie vibes are the best.

2.START SETTING ATTAINABLE GOALS FOR YOURSELF.

A terrible thing I do is compare myself to middle-aged business people and their wildly successful lives. I forget that they most likely started their careers around the same time and worked like the devil to get to where they are now. Things take time and patience along with your hard work. Things won't come overnight. Once of my favorite quotes by a famous footballer/soccer player, Lionel Messi, where he says, "it took me 17 years and 114 days to become an overnight success." We've got to keep our heads up, create manageable goals to build up to our bigger goals. We can do it!

3.EAT FOODS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD.

I love fast food. I can go on for hours who had the best fries, burgers, and fountain drinks, but I don't eat it every day. Recently, my boyfriend and I have been trying to eat less simple carbs altogether, so we replace pasta with zucchini, cauliflower for rice. It's delicious and I don't feel bloated all the time. The few kilos I've lost has been pretty great while eating almost the same things. I 100% indulge on the "bad" stuff when I want, but the balance has made me feel better, and I think that's the key.

4.GET YOUR FULL 8 HOURS.

I was convinced throughout university that I only needed 5 hours of sleep and sometimes I thrived on less (my fellow architects know what I'm talking about). I was fine and just gulped down coffee to keep me going. Fast forward 3 years, I have maybe 4 cups of coffee a month and I feel great. My partner has never had a love affair with caffeine, because he's so sensitive to it, but he also needs his sleep. I've picked up some of his habits and have gone to bed earlier, used my time before bed to read and relax instead of working until I drop. I love my sleep now and it is not overrated. I love not being tired and hating the things I actually love just because of lack of sleep. In short, more water + less caffeine + more sleep = happier days.

5.GET OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

Be a yes (wo)man! Go take that pottery throwing class you've always wanted to do! Go learn how to repel off a cliff and go canyoneering in Zion! Start writing a blog even though you've always known yourself to be a terrible writer! These are all things I've done for myself and I've become a better and more exciting person because of it.

6.BE YOURSELF.

This one is really hard. People, including me, say "I give no f**ks," but let's be honest, we do. Sadly, we all do, but this shouldn't stop us from showing our inner dorks. If you know me, I am truly an uncool person, but my mother raised me to be confident and I thank her for that. After trying my best to be cool enough for the popular crowds, I realized it was exhausting. I no longer want to spend my time changing my life around to fit for others. I'll be me and I want to hang out with people that me for me. Thanks, friends!

7.GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO PLAN AND ORGANIZE YOURSELF.

Back in school my mom wanted me to use a planner. She even made a beautiful one that I just couldn't appreciate when I was a teen. It's a shame, because I could use that right now. I've settled for a lesser version, and it's helped me so much. I write down everything that comes to my head while I'm working (or not working too), so it's out of my head and onto paper. When I'm done with a task, I plan time out to do those tasks. Use your phone's calendar, a physical planner, or make your own bullet journal (so much effort, but so pretty) to get things done. You'll love yourself for it.

8. LET YOURSELF BE HAPPY.

This is also difficult. I feel like I've always been so consumed with the constant list of growing things that I need to do, that I don't let myself to relax and enjoy the sunset or glass of wine in front of me. Give yourself the time and let yourself be happy. You deserve it!