You know those people who just seem genuinely happy, no matter what life throws at them? They're not lucky. They’re doing things differently.
I used to think happiness was something that happened to you when life finally went “right.” But after struggling with addiction to video games, battling binge eating, drinking too much, and feeling totally stuck in a fog of laziness, I learned that real happiness is an inside job. It’s built through small, intentional choices that add up over time.
If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or just kind of "meh," I get it. I’ve been there. But things can change—starting today. Here are 10 things happy people do differently that helped me go from feeling hopeless to living a life I’m proud of.
1. They Focus on Progress, Not Perfection
Happy people don’t wait to be perfect. They focus on taking one small step at a time.
When I started my journey to better health, I weighed over 300 pounds. The idea of losing 110 pounds felt impossible. But I stopped thinking about the total, and started celebrating real progress—like losing 5 pounds, or being able to walk without pain. Each small win gave me the momentum to keep going.
Small steps matter. Perfection isn’t the goal. Showing up is.
2. They Protect Their Energy
Happy people don’t give their energy away to just anything.
This hit me hard when I realized how much time I used to waste on games, junk TV, and scrolling social media. I felt constantly drained, but I wasn’t doing anything that filled me up. So I started pausing before I said yes to something—or even just picked up my phone.
Now I ask myself: “Will this help me grow or pull me down?”
Protect your focus. Your time and energy are too valuable to waste.
3. They Practice Gratitude Daily
Not just once on Thanksgiving.
Happy people make gratitude a habit. I write down three things I’m grateful for every morning. Some days it’s deep, like God’s grace or the support of my wife. Other days, it's just that my coffee was warm or I got a good night’s sleep.
But it shifts your whole mindset. You stop focusing on what’s missing and start seeing what’s already good.
Try it tomorrow. Write down three things. Watch your heart begin to change.
4. They Embrace Discomfort
Growth doesn’t feel good while it’s happening.
Losing weight, quitting bad habits, building my business—all of it involved discomfort. Waking up early. Skipping seconds at dinner. Saying no to drinks. It wasn’t fun at first, but over time, I started to crave the feeling of progress more than the comfort of staying the same.
Happy people don’t run from discomfort. They use it to grow stronger.
5. They Have Strong Routines
Freedom actually comes from structure, not chaos.
Before I got serious about changing, my days were random and reactive. I’d stay up too late, sleep in, and rush through the day getting nothing meaningful done.
Now I live by a simple routine. Wake up early. Pray. Deep work for 2 to 4 hours without distractions. Exercise. Time with family. That rhythm gave me clarity and peace.
Happy people don’t leave their days up to chance. They take ownership of their time.
6. They Forgive Themselves and Others
You can’t be happy and hold grudges at the same time.
I used to carry guilt for the years I wasted. I was angry at myself—and others—for not helping me sooner. But holding onto that only kept me stuck. Through prayer and therapy, I learned to forgive. Myself. My past. The people who let me down. All of it.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. It means choosing peace over pain.
Forgive to be free.
7. They Spend Time with People Who Lift Them Up
Who you’re around shapes who you become.
When I started changing my life, I had to let go of certain friendships. Not because those people were bad, but because they weren’t helping me stay on track. I started surrounding myself with people who encouraged my faith, my health, and my goals.
Happy people build strong, life-giving relationships. They find community—not just company.
Ask yourself: Who lifts me up? And who brings me down?
8. They Stay Connected to Something Bigger
I can’t talk about joy without talking about my relationship with God.
When I started growing in my Orthodox Christian faith, everything changed. Suddenly, I wasn’t just trying to fix my habits—I was building a life that honored something greater than myself. I found meaning in the struggle. Purpose in the pain. Real hope for my life.
Happy people stay connected to truth, grace, and something eternal. For me, that’s God.
Don’t try to do this alone. You weren’t made to.
9. They Celebrate the Little Wins
It’s easy to skip over progress and keep chasing the next thing.
But happy people pause to celebrate small victories. I remember literally high-fiving myself in the mirror the first time I pushed through a full week without binge eating. It might sound silly, but those moments matter.
Reward the process. Not just the outcome.
Every step forward is a reason to smile.
10. They Keep Showing Up—Even on Hard Days
This might be the biggest difference of all.
Happy people don’t have perfect days. They just keep showing up anyway. Rain, stress, doubt—whatever comes—they choose to keep going.
There were mornings I wanted to quit. Seriously. I’d pray, “God, I don’t have it in me today.” And somehow, just taking the next small step was enough to get through.
Success isn’t about never falling. It’s about getting up—not once, but over and over again.
You can too.
Real happiness isn’t out there somewhere. It starts with how you live today.
You don’t need to have it all together. You just need to begin.
Which one of these 10 habits speaks to you the most? Pick one. Start there. And remember, progress is possible—even when it doesn’t feel like it.
I’m cheering you on.
– Stephen Montagne
Founder of GoodExistence.com
