Five Tips to Help You Move Forward When You Feel Unhappy

If nothing in your life makes you happy, maybe it's time to look inside yourself for that something to make you shine again...

Written and verified by the psychologist Gema Sánchez Cuevas.

Last update: 12 March, 2022

Sometimes, you lose your way and it becomes difficult for you to find anything to make you happy. Perhaps your partner makes you miserable, you don’t like your job, or you want to change the way you see or live your life. However, you feel stuck, unable to move forward.

The whirlwind of everyday life often prevents you from stopping to think if what you’re doing is what you really want to do. It also stops you from reflecting on the reason why nothing makes you happy. Furthermore, all your daily activities distract you from something else that’s of the utmost importance: yourself.

Five tips to help you move forward

A little healthy selfishness is necessary from time to time to recover, to know who you are, and to be certain that the place you’re heading to will make you happy. Also, to clarify that it’s the place you’ve chosen and not that others have chosen for you.

There are many things you can do to move forward when you feel stuck. The most important is to reflect deeply on your emotions, feelings, and desires.

1. Think about what you want

What do you want? What excites you? Don’t let yourself be influenced by what others think you want. You must consider what you want and what makes you happy. We all have dreams and desires that we’re afraid to make come true, but life is short and it’s time to walk toward what you’re really longing for.

2. Act to be happy

It’s not enough to think. You must also start doing everything that could lead you toward your dream. For instance, if you’ve always wanted to be an actress, start by enrolling in a theater course, go to events connected with theater or cinema, and interact with people who have the same interests as you. In this way, you’ll begin to enjoy what makes you happy.

3. Slow down the pace of your life

Stop trying to do everything at once. Take a break. Think about what’s urgent and what can wait. Find time to dedicate to yourself, to enjoy what you like best, whether it’s walking in the moonlight, enjoying a meal with your friends or family, or having dinner with your partner. It’s always possible to find a moment for yourself.

4. Appreciate what you feel

Your feelings are important. Ask yourself how your life makes you feel right now. What don’t you like about it? If you feel sad, it’s time to start making changes. Start with yourself. Change the way you dress or the way you wear your hair. Change the way you walk, the way you relate to people. You’ve got nothing to lose. It simply means you’ll have tried something new and even had fun.

If you need to cry, do it. It doesn’t matter who’s looking. Let out your sadness. Don’t hold it back. Let your tears dissolve your worries and anything that doesn’t make you happy. As a matter of fact, crying is necessary if you want to be able to replace your tears later with a beautiful smile.

5. Enjoy others

Isolating yourself and not interacting with others distances you and sinks you even deeper into your sadness. You need hugs, kisses, caresses, words of encouragement, and comfort.

In fact, you need to be with other people and enjoy their joy and contagious smiles. However, maybe you don’t feel like seeing anyone. Nevertheless, when you feel that way, that’s often the best time to go out and enjoy yourself, because you have no expectations.

What would you do if you weren’t afraid?

You should ask yourself this question every day. Then, you’ll be able to put aside what scares you. Remember, there are many ways to do things and it’s important to do them in the way that you feel comfortable with. Overcoming your fear and taking a risk can make you realize that your fear is totally surmountable. It’s also created by yourself.

Getting out of your comfort zone and doing something risky, regardless of whether you’re successful or not, will make you delight in the joy of living and show you that your existence is well worth enjoying.