Happiness – thousands of books and songs have been written about it. Philosophers and psychologists have held long discussions and carried out studies about it. 

It’s a universal life goal, yet it can often be elusive. For many people, finding happiness can seem like an impossible task. 

On the other hand, there are some people who just seem to be naturally happy. 

You might be one of those fortunate individuals. You might not even realize it, but there are certain signs that indicate a natural inclination towards happiness.

In this article, I’ll be diving into nine clear indicators that you’re a naturally happy person. So, if you spot these traits in your day-to-day life, congratulations, you’re exuding happiness from within!

1) You’re often content

One of the easiest ways to spot a naturally happy person is to look at their overall level of contentment.

People who are naturally happy have a general sense of satisfaction with their life. They don’t sweat the small stuff and they’re not constantly chasing after the next big thing. 

Instead, they take the time to appreciate what they have right now.

This doesn’t mean they don’t have ambitions or goals. Quite the opposite – they’re often quite driven. 

But their happiness doesn’t hinge on achieving these goals. They find joy in the journey, not just the destination.

The plain and simple truth is that being content with what you have is a sign of inner peace and happiness. 

If you find yourself frequently feeling content, you may just be a naturally happy person.

2) You find joy in the simplest things

Where do you find joy? If your answer is: in the small things, then that’s another sign that you’re a naturally happy person. 

I’m the same way – the little things bring me immense joy.

For example, just last week, I woke up and it was raining outside. Instead of feeling down, I found myself smiling at the rhythmic sound of the raindrops hitting the window.

Some people might find a rainy day gloomy or depressing, but for me, it was an opportunity to cozy up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. It truly doesn’t take a lot to make me feel good. 

That’s the kind of mindset I’m talking about. For naturally happy people like me (and I hope, you too), the small things make up a huge part of our happiness. 

3) You’re an optimist

In the same way, if you’re naturally happy, you tend to look at the proverbial glass as half-full. 

Optimism isn’t just about always expecting the best outcome in every situation. It’s a way of interpreting the world around you. 

As a naturally happy person, you view setbacks as temporary and specific to the situation, rather than seeing them as permanent and pervasive.

And you know what? That attitude could even be a reason for you to be healthy and have a long life. Studies have shown that optimists live longer than pessimists by as much as 15%.

That’s one more reason to stay upbeat and happy! 

4) You know how to manage stress

That finding above is largely due to your ability to manage stress. 

You see, stress is a part of life, but not all of us handle it in a healthy way. 

What differentiates a naturally happy person from others is their ability to keep stress from overwhelming them and doing a real number on their mind and body. 

How do they do it? 

Well, there are a lot of ways and tools they use. It could be through meditation, yoga, exercise, reading, or even just taking a few deep breaths. 

It could be the simple understanding that while they can’t control every situation, they can control how they react to it.

If you have effective strategies for managing stress and you don’t let stressful situations overwhelm you, then you’re likely a naturally happy person. Your ability to keep calm under pressure contributes significantly to your overall happiness.

It’s also why…

5) You live in the present

Mindfulness might have come into mainstream consciousness only a few years ago, but if you’re a naturally happy person, this is something you’ve likely been practicing for a while. 

You know the value of “now”. You know how constantly dwelling on the past or worrying about the future can eat up so much of your energy. 

So, you intentionally live in the present. You’re fully engaged with what’s happening around you. You savor every moment and live life one day at a time. 

6) You’re flexible

Look, life is unpredictable. Plans change, people change, and situations change. 

The question is, can you handle it? 

Well, given your skills at managing stress, I’m pretty sure you can. It’s what helps you adapt to changes and accept the detours and bumps along the way. 

Being flexible doesn’t mean letting go of your goals and ambitions. Rather, it’s about being open to different routes that lead to your destination. 

This flexibility helps you to navigate life’s ups and downs with a positive attitude, contributing to your overall happiness.

7) You’re kind to others

Not only are you chill and flexible, you’re also kind. 

There’s a saying that goes, hurt people hurt people. Unhappiness breeds unhappiness. 

Following that logic, happiness breeds kindness. Right? 

Which means, as a naturally happy person, kindness also comes naturally to you. You get genuine joy from making someone else’s day a little brighter. 

You’ve got a personal motto along the lines of, “Happiness shared is happiness doubled.”

No wonder people love being around you! 

8) You practice gratitude

Gratitude goes hand in hand with happiness. So if you’re naturally happy, it also follows that you’ve got an attitude of gratitude. 

Of course, you go through pain and disappointment like anyone else. But the bottom line is, you still see life as good. 

You still see that there’s always, always something to be thankful for. 

That’s why you can view life through an abundant mindset. You’re able to appreciate the people who support you, the opportunities you get, and like we discussed earlier, the simple joys all around you. 

9) You’re comfortable in your own skin

Finally, how do you feel about yourself? 

Do you constantly compare yourself to others? Wish you were prettier/smarter/richer, etc.? 

Or do you embrace who you are and feel no need to compare? 

If it’s the latter, that’s a sign that you’re naturally happy. 

You see, happiness is an inside job. It involves cultivating self-love and accepting your flaws, quirks, and all. 

When you can do that, you feel no need to present a different image to the world. People know that what they see is what they get. 

And it’s quite a lovely picture. Authenticity always looks good!

Final thoughts

If you’ve recognized these signs in yourself, fantastic! Life feels so much easier for you and people like you. 

But even if you haven’t, that’s okay. Because happiness is not a fixed state. Some people might have been born with a naturally happy disposition, but that doesn’t mean that those who weren’t can just lay down and accept defeat. 

Abraham Lincoln said, “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” From that, you can pretty much see that happiness is a choice, and it is your choice to make.