We asked some of the happiest folks we know to tell us their secret.

Paulina Siegel | Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Addiction Specialist & Master-Level Trained Mindfulness Practitioner

I’ll start off by saying that happiness is not a normal state of being even though society has taught us that it is a state in which we should maintain consistently. This messaging is not only misleading but creates a dysfunctional trap of suffering. Pain is inevitable and what matters most in life is how we deal with ongoing adversity. Tapping into resiliency is our greatest gift. The way in which I create inner peace, joy, and delight is by living in alignment with my core values while acting in accordance with these values each and every day. Additionally, I make sure to practice mindfulness daily to develop psychological flexibility as I adapt to any situation that comes my way. I actively work towards decreasing the impact of self-defeating thoughts while making room for emotional discomfort using self-observation techniques. Read more>>

Danielle Hoguet | Yoga Instructor & Physical Therapist

What makes me happy is having freedom from the idea of perfection. I spent so much of my life pushing myself to do better, to try harder. I started to view everything as “not enough” and developed a harsh inner critic that reminded me of this everyday. Happy wasn’t possible, because I held myself to an impossible standard. I was burnt out in every aspect of my life. When everything comes crashing down, we are sometimes forced to do the very thing we resist. For me it was rest. I caught a glimpse of the power of resting, which developed into a willingness to let go. To let go of the need for perfection and reevaluate what I was really striving for. To give myself permission to be everything but perfect, and to value rest over productivity. I no longer force my way through life to get to where I think I need to be. I do more of what I enjoy and try to stay present in every moment. Free from expectations and free from the fear of failure is where I find happiness. Read more>>

Nichole Larson | Photographer

The simple things in life make me the happiest. A sunrise, a sunset, a butterfly or a bee atop a flower, good company etc. Life is too short to be unhappy. I believe happiness is a choice. Some days it is a harder decision to make than other days, but that is why I do my best to surround myself with things and people that make it easier to choose everyday. I try to take 60 seconds every time I see a pretty sky and just give myself a moment of peace. Read more>>