{"id":72587,"date":"2017-12-09T15:54:49","date_gmt":"2017-12-09T23:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=72587"},"modified":"2017-12-09T11:01:56","modified_gmt":"2017-12-09T19:01:56","slug":"3-tips-to-be-happier-in-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/09\/3-tips-to-be-happier-in-life\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Tips to Be Happier in Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m in a shitty mood, here are three things I do to feel more happiness and joy in my life:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Music<\/h2>\n
\"Poetry,
Library of Congress.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\n \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Life without music would be a mistake.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d – Nietzsche\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I think it is in our human DNA to love music. We love the rhythm and the beats, and for myself, music totally transforms my mood and outlook in life.<\/p>\n

To be happier, listen to more music. Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t let anyone dictate your taste in music.<\/p>\n

Listen to whatever music brings you happiness, joy, and excitement in life.<\/strong><\/p>\n

For example, I love jazz music, classic music, hip hop music, electro edm, trap music, and any form of music that puts my body and muscles in motion.<\/p>\n

My test of whether a song is good or not:<\/p>\n

\n Whether I start bobbing my head to the beat.\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I personally have a Spotify premium account, and it is probably the best investment Cindy and I have made. So much of our life journeys have been through music \u00e2\u20ac\u201d through our wedding playlist, to our road trips, to our morning routines, and music when we are working.<\/p>\n

\"\"
My Spotify pump up playlist<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When I feel unmotivated or shitty, some songs which get me into the groove:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Hellifornia – Gesaffelstein<\/li>\n
  • God bless your heart – Cyhi da Prynce <\/li>\n
  • New Level – ASAP FERG<\/li>\n
  • Plain Jane – ASAP FERG<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Also, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve found a lot of inspiration watching TIDAL music videos \u00e2\u20ac\u201d the new ones from the 4:44 album from JAY Z are phenomenal.<\/p>\n

    2. Never stop learning<\/h2>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    I want to be a life long learner.<\/p>\n

    When I started to feel that I got shit figured out, that is when my mind started to shrink and atrophy.<\/p>\n

    Avoid the curse of the expert \u00e2\u20ac\u201d you become close minded.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Keep learning.<\/p>\n

    That means, keep reading books, keep studying philosophy, and read interviews from artists who inspire you.<\/p>\n

    \"My
    My sketch of Vermeer, girl with pearl earring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Current books I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m reading and have read recently, which inspired me:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • The illiad by Homer<\/li>\n
    • The odyssey by Homer<\/li>\n
    • The histories by Herodotus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Why does learning make you happier? You get a sense of progress, and forward motion.<\/p>\n

      3. Physical strength and movement<\/h2>\n
      \"Sunset
      Sunset in Kyoto, 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      To be happier, make your muscles stronger, and walk more.<\/p>\n

      Strong muscles means strong self-esteem. Also, the more you walk, the less depressive thoughts you have.<\/p>\n

      For physical strength, this applies to both men and women \u00e2\u20ac\u201d do push-ups at home, yoga at home, chin-ups with a chin-up bar or gymnast rings or TRX, do squats or deadlifts at the gym, or just run.<\/p>\n

      \"Cindy
      Cindy flexing in mirror.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      The secret with physical fitness and strength: it must be fun for you. Or else you won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t be able to motivate yourself to get stronger.<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do any physical activity which feels like \u00e2\u20ac\u0153work\u00e2\u20ac\u009d or some sort of heavy obligation, that you must be \u00e2\u20ac\u0153forced\u00e2\u20ac\u009d to do.<\/p>\n

      Also, to walk more, shoot more street photography.<\/strong> Just shoot with your phone or a small camera. Walking is more fun with a camera in hand.<\/p>\n

      Conclusion<\/h2>\n

      \"\"<\/p>\n

      Above all, I think true happiness is doing work that is personally meaningful to you.<\/p>\n

      \"ERIC
      ERIC KIM abstract selfie, Amsterdam 2017<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      To do creative work, that you have control and autonomy over \u00e2\u20ac\u201d and work that brings you joy.<\/p>\n

      \"Connecting
      Connecting the edges of the frame. Finger pointed where the line ends.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

      To do more meaningful work,
      \n– Help more other people
      \n– Keep pushing your creative boundaries and limits
      \n– Share what you learn<\/p>\n

      SMILE,
      \nERIC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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