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10 Ways to Have a Happier Life

What I wish I could tell my 21-year-old self

Kyra Johnson
3 min readAug 26, 2021
photo by author
  1. Having no partner at all is far superior to having a partner who makes you feel lonely, or less-than. The right person will be able to meet you and navigate tricky situations alongside you. You’re better off without the wrong person.
  2. Pay attention to how you feel in the presence of others; it’s an important indicator of whether they’re good for you or not. Limit or eliminate time spent with people who drain your energy battery, or who gloat when you’re struggling. Focus instead on the people who lift you up. Try to do the same for others.
  3. There is no such thing as being lazy; there is only internal resistance. If you feel like you’re being lazy or avoiding a task, try to examine why that is, and see if you can find a creative solution around it. Rest is just as — if not more — important than productivity, and in fact enhances productivity.
  4. You’ll never regret the time you spend in the woods. It’s centering and recharging, so do it as often as you can.
  5. Learn how to say no gracefully; if declining an invitation protects your mental wellbeing, do it. The people who can’t or won’t accept your boundaries are acting selfishly and don’t necessarily have your best interests at heart. BUT, that said…

Kyra Johnson
Kyra Johnson

Written by Kyra Johnson

Writer, entrepreneur, and dedicated explorer of enchanting moments. She has contributed to People Magazine, Huffington Post, The LA Times, Boston Globe, & more.

Responses (2)

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Having no partner at all is far superior to having a partner who makes you feel lonely, or less-than.

This is a trap I fell into when I was younger. I "needed" to be with someone when in actuality I needed to be with myself and learn about myself. Most relationships fail because we don't take time to truly examine ourselves and be honest with…

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I read all three of your essays. Some hard truths, beautifully written.

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