How to stay cheerful when everything tells you that you shouldn’t be.

\’Tis the season to be jolly!

But a lot of people I know don’t feel very jolly.

It’s cold outside and it feels as though the rug beneath our feet might be pulled away at any moment. At the time of writing, those in England that had stopped wearing masks as standard are having to get used to doing so again. Holiday arrangements are being changed and there is a question mark over plans for Christmas.

To be honest I don’t feel very jolly either!

So, in response and to cheer myself up I’ve come up with the top 3 things you can do to stay happy without spending a lot of money. They have worked for me so I thought I’d share them.

1. Be grateful.

List a gratitude daily and or start filling your happiness jar … If you don’t know what I’m talking about I wrote about them a few years ago https://partnerswithyou.co.uk/thank-you-i-am-grateful/.

Or post a gratitude every day on Facebook.

I did this back in 2013 and it permanently changed the way I look at the world. If you know that you are going to publicly state a gratitude you start looking out for them. So instead of thinking … I’ve broken down … what a nightmare! I would think oh good I can be grateful for the AA today! And on those days when nothing in particular happens you have to search for a gratitude. Which means you are focusing on the positive at all times!

1. Make a call.

I recently contacted a friend from my days as a student. After she got over the shock, it was as though we had spoken last week. I had been worried that we might not have anything in common any more … but we did and it has left me with a warm glow and a desire to visit her for a proper reunion!

It doesn’t have to be a long-lost friend. It could be an ex-colleague, client or supplier; or just someone you haven’t spoken to for a couple of weeks. Just pick up the phone and say I thought I’d just give you a call to check you are OK! You might be pleasantly surprised by the response!

1. Be kind.

The truth about a good deed is that it feels great to do; even better than to be on the receiving end. So do something nice for someone else.

And if someone does something nice to you … pay it forward … that 20p you give someone at the carpark machine could mean they get to their interview on time. That smile and cheery “good morning” you gave to that person you walked past … could be the only human interaction they get today. And it will leave you with a warm glow too.

I honestly believe that being grateful, kind and positively interacting with other human beings are the gamechangers we need to stay cheerful … communication at its best!