Cheer Leader.

Last year I made a list of everyday habits that help to fight depression: eating well, detoxing from bad substances, sleeping well, getting outdoors, and also exercising and connecting with people (but I never wrote about those because I seriously fail at both).

This year I have another list of obvious things. This time it's a list of actions for breeding happiness in your life. They're bigger than the habits described above. I guess they're more intimidating, at least to me, than the prospect of cutting down on chocolate or going for more walks on sunny days. But it's my life. Maybe I need something bigger.

Happiness Medals: Collect All Six!
Belonging. Belong to and engage with a community of people. Contribute and benefit from a network of mutual support.
Clarity. Define your fears and ambitions. When you define them, you limit them. That gives you control over them.
Kindness. Be courteous, generous and compassionate to others, and the positive attitude you've seeded will spread.
Sensation. Engage your senses in the present moment. See, feel, hear and smell the world around you, rather than conversing with the voice inside your head.
Optimism. Recognise and challenge negative thoughts before they translate into negative feelings. Not every negative thought is rational. Check it before you accept it.
Fulfillment. Choose activities that fit both your personal strengths and your personal values. Find work that makes you feel proud - or find pride in what you do.

I'm planning to explore each of these avenues in more detail in future posts. Question why they work. Find out various ways people have achieved this stuff. Maybe draw some stupid pictures.