Do you ever think to yourself “I have everything: a family who supports me, friends who love me, a career, a social life… So why am I not happy?” Not unhappy in a “I’m sad” kind of way, just… not *completely* happy. Not fulfilled with life regardless of “having everything”. Like something important is missing but you can’t seem to put your finger on it.

I’m not going to hit you with some cheesy truth like “happiness comes from within” (even though I strongly believe that it does), because it won’t be of use to you concretely speaking. The thing is, I have found you can’t wait for happiness to find you. You have to make your own. So I have drafted 10 rules that I (and all the other happy souls of this world) live by religiously.

So here’s what happy people do:

1- They have goals

What are you passionate about? Being wholeheartedly dedicated to something you love is important because it gives you a purpose and keeps you going. So go ahead and dream about your future. And dream big! They say if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough 😉

2- They avoid social comparison

Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable. Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side because it’s fake!

If you feel the need to compare yourself to someone, compare yourself to an earlier version of YOU. And make sure you like the person you’ve become.

3- They set clear boundaries

I cannot stress this enough. Happy people set their own boundaries to identify a permissible way for other people to behave towards them. If something doesn’t work for you, say no. Sometimes you have to put yourself first. It doesn’t make you selfish. Don’t let anyone guilt you into doing anything you’re not feeling. Remember “no.” is a complete sentence.

4- They practice kindness

Happy people are kind even to unkind people; They’re the ones who need it the most. Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.

5- They learn to forgive

Harboring feelings of hatred is horrible for your well-being. Forgiveness is not a weakness, it’s a strength. It means you’re aware internal peace is more important than your ego. Also, don’t forget to forgive yourself for the unnecessary things you put your body and mind through.

6- They are their own person

I could go on for pages about this one, but basically, just be yourself (everyone else is already taken!). Happy people don’t pretend. They are their own person, and they know it’s enough.

7- They surround themselves with positive people

Happy people don’t have everything. They’re just happy with what they have. And they know how important it is to be around people who are this way too. They say you’re an average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. So be careful who you chill with! It could be affecting you more than you know.

8- They feel their emotions

Feel your feelings. You are allowed to feel the way you feel. Don’t listen to anyone telling you you’re being too emotional or over reacting to something. No one is entitled to tell you how you’re supposed to be feeling. Happy people feel. They don’t repress. So feel away my friends. And feel deeply.

9- They respect their bodies

You are body and soul. Don’t neglect your body. Happy people are at peace with their bodies. They do whatever makes their body feel good, and they own up to it too 😉

(Check out 5 Easy steps to become beach body ready in two weeks for more body positivity)

10- They practice gratitude

Being grateful will bring you a deeper sense of happiness.

And then there are the little day-to-day things that’ll also bring you glimpses of happiness like the first sip of coffee in the morning, or singing along with the radio, or taking a hot bath after a day at the beach, or seeing your ex with someone ugly, or petting your dog, or late night snacks, or hugs …

Whateeeever floats your boat. It really is the little things in life 😉

This is the Lebanon I love, pictured through my lens. Hope you like it!

1- Ain El Mreisseh, Beirut

Most of my leisure time was spent walking on the kornish of Ain El Mreisseh while admiring the beauty of the ocean lightened up by the sun.  This view is too stuning to miss.

2- American University of Beirut (or the world of cats)

AUB is actually the world of cats. I didn’t believe it at first, until I witnessed a huge group of cats in front of AUB’s sea gate. Every cat was unique in its own way, but I got inspired by this one cat, sitting while sticking out its tongue, waiting for me to take its picture.

3- Saida

While walking in the sidon sea castle, I felt the urge to capture this ancient historical site which endured a lot, but remained standing still for eight centuries.

4- Batroun

The sunset in Batroun is one of the most beautiful pieces of art that one can ever witness. The magnificent colors of the horizon increase the beauty  and mystery of the sea.

Even the car window reflected these amazing colors perfectly captured by the lens of my camera.

5- Faraya

Faraya is one of Lebanon’s most famous touristic destination, especially during winter breaks. I went there with my family and spent few days in one of these Chalets.

This street was all covered with pure white snow, a breathtaking view that purified my soul anf inspired me to take this amazing picture.

So, which one is your favorite?

They say you can never be overdressed or overeducated. Yet I often feel like my peers are perfectly well-dressed, but not well-read enough. You feel me? Maybe it’s just my circle, I’m not sure. In any case, I took the liberty of gathering 10 useful (and fun!) words that could definitely come in handy when referring to laziness, food, gossip tendencies and a few other random topics people usually relate to. Enjoy!

1- Dysania

Dysania is the first thing I fight and overcome every morning. I swear sometimes my life feels like a constant battle…

2- Abligurition

We’re all in this together (Throwback high school musical, right?)

3- Groke

Basically all dogs.

4- Slugabed

Hello darkness my old friend…

5- Twattling

Like Rachel Green (from F.R.I.E.N.D.S) used to say “I don’t gossip! Maybe sometimes I find out things or hear something and pass that information on. You know, kind of like a public service.”

6- Fit-ish

I’m just messing around with this one (it’s so relatable though!)

7- Serendipity

I feel like everyone’s been writing “serendipity” on their Instagram bio (people are so confusing sometimes).

8- Ultracrepidarian

Basically everyone I know.

9- Boketto

I love how Japanese have words for everything.

10- Fudgel

Sometimes I don’t even have the energy to pretend.

According to The Economist, the average person learns 20k to 35k words in their lifetime. Don’t settle for average! 😉

Hi there!  You clicked on the link huh?

Do you think you’ll be happier if you lose weight? If you do, you need more body positivity in your life. Don’t worry; it’s not uncommon to believe that you’ll be happy once you’re thin. The problem is: it’s not true. I know there’s a voice inside your head that wants you to believe that it is, but it’s really not. Your life will not get better if you lose weight because your weight is not what’s stopping you from feeling fully alive. Your state of mind is.

Embracing body positivity really took a weight off my mind (word play! ;). So this article is obviously not a guide for you to become beach body ready because you already are, and also because there is no such thing as “beach body ready”.

Instead, here are 5 steps to follow if you want to acquire a body positive state of mind.

Step 1: Stop dieting

Stop dieting and please, join the fight against diet culture. It’s a trap! Trust me, you just need to find a balance, eat with mindfulness, and especially, enjoy your food. Stop the yo-yo effect. Every time you decide to start a diet again, remember this: “if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always got”. Diet culture is a lie. Stop falling for it.

Step 2: Stop tolerating comments on your weight or shape

You should have zero tolerance whatsoever on this. Don’t allow anyone to comment on your body whether it’s your parents, aunt or uncle, friend, hairdresser… it doesn’t matter. No one is allowed to have an opinion on your body. It’s yours and yours alone.

It doesn’t matter if they don’t mean harm, or if they believe they’re commenting “for your own good” or because they love you. If it bothers you (and it probably does), tell them to stop. Make it very clear that you do not tolerate their comments.

These small things make a difference. Set your own limits and be free.

Step 3: Sensor your unhealthy thoughts

Stop being so hard on yourself. Whenever you find yourself being aggressive towards yourself, make it a point to stop. Do it consciously. Enough with the guilt trips. You wouldn’t tell your friend he/she’s fat or disgusting or ugly right? Then why say it to yourself? Be kind to yourself. It won’t happen overnight but at least start trying.

Step 4: Do yoga

Yoga can help you reconnect with your body. I’m not sure it works the same way for everybody though. If it doesn’t work for you, try to find something that does. (You are your own person).

Step 5: Flaunt it baby!

Love yourself and flaunt it baby! Loving yourself doesn’t mean there isn’t anything about yourself that you want to change or improve. It just means that you are who you are regardless of everything and everyone. How empowering is that?

There you go! Just…be free.

Being body positive sets you free from society expectations and especially from your own thoughts. It’s a journey, not a destination. Embrace it!