What is happiness? Are you able to articulate what it means generally and what it means to you personally? If it can be described as a state of psychological wellbeing, then this lifts the notion of ‘being happy’ from fleeting moments of bliss to a sense of deeper satisfaction. This is why I love the thinking behind the 6 dimensions of wellbeing.

I’m intrigued by the work of Carol Ryff (the originator of the 6 dimensions of welbeing). Within her framework, she seeks to unravel the meaning of a happy life, defining psychological wellbeing as:

‘Optimal human functioning, in which a high number of positive emotions are produced.’

It strikes me that the groundedness, simplicity and human-focused nature of her approach is geared towards both everyday happiness and happiness every day. I think it’s enormously helpful in clarifying what happiness means on a personal level.

I recently covered all six dimensions in my newsletter, The Self Development Diary (which you can sign up for here) but in this blog, I bring them all together in one place. I also highlight a few practices and habits from my toolkit that you can easily adopt to bring them to life.

1. The freedom of autonomy 

This is all about having a strong sense of self and the ability to make decisions in alignment with your values, free from external influence. Feeling in control of your life, you set boundaries comfortably and evaluate yourself by your own standards (not others).

Knowing what matters to you can help cut through the overthinking, giving you the power to set boundaries with yourself and others. 

Try this. Compile a list of ‘50 things that make me, me.’ These don’t have to be positive things – on my list, I have ‘hot-headed’ because it’s part of me. When I’m passionate, I can see red. Or try the VIA Strengths Finder – and then book a free session with me if you want to discuss the results.

2. The space of environmental mastery

If you’re organised and diligent, ticking off tasks from your to-do list then you may feel like you have this one sorted. 

By going beyond the list you become confident enough to rearrange things, have the mental space to spot opportunities and in a cliche but true sense, having life happen with you, not just pass you by.

Try this. Block space in your diary for things that light you up and say no to those that don’t. This includes work projects, social events or even your own self-development expectations. Identify and leverage your strengths and don’t hesitate to delegate or ask for help when needed. Embrace new technology and techniques even if they seem a bit complicated. Don’t be intimidated – take the plunge and this may make you more productive.

3. The expansiveness of personal development and growth

Like myself and my clients, you probably show up each week with a passion for development, a curiosity for life, and I'm sure the occasional feeling of being stuck. Nevertheless, you’re determined to find your answers. For that, I applaud you, and I hope that it is always a positive boost to your wellbeing.

When we honour and enjoy the outcomes of our efforts, we generate the confidence we need to step outside our comfort zone again. We seek new self-development tools and new goals as we look back to celebrate how far we’ve come and the hard work we’ve put in.

Try this. Grab a journal and reflect on these questions:

• What is the biggest change I have seen in myself in the past year?

• What am I most proud of myself for this year?

• What habits/routines do I have now that I didn’t have twelve months ago?

• What unexpected lessons have I learned along the way?

• How have my relationships evolved or deepened?

Sharing is hugely powerful! So tell your close friends, your partner and tell me. Feel proud of all your hard work.

4. The connectedness of positive relationships with others

We need other people to grow and develop. By opening a space with someone else we create opportunities for healing, advancement, education, learning and emotional regulation. 

Remember that cultivating positive relationships with others is a continuous journey. It’s OK if they come and go in our lives, even if they are supportive at the time. Be grateful for the connection and have the occurrence that you will forge many more deep ones over the course of your life.

Try this. There are so many useful techniques for deepening relationships, here are just a few of my favourites:

• Practice deep, empathetic and active listening when engaging with others. Put away distractions and truly focus on what they’re saying. Mindfulness can support this.

• Alongside this, practice vulnerability. Share what is comfortable to create a sense of openness and invite the same in return. Open up further as the relationship deepens.

• Practice gratitude. Being thankful for the people in your life strengthens your connection and theirs.

• Network by attending events or joining groups related to your interests. This provides opportunities to meet like-minded individuals. Unfortunately, like dating, finding meaningful connections can be a numbers game, so be self-aware and picky if necessary.

5. The value of your purpose in life

This is a theme that is often at the heart of my conversations with my clients because we all crave a sense of meaning and direction in our lives.

Understanding your purpose along with your mission and goals is vital for finding clarity, motivation and direction in your personal and professional pursuits.

Try this. Finding your purpose is not something we can cover in a five-minute blog (although you can make a start by booking a free initial session with me). 

Take some time to look at these three elements and what they mean for you:

• Purpose – more about how we want to feel rather than external achievements, so reflect on the accomplishments that made you feel good.

• Mission – the concentrated focus of your energy and the tasks that give you a feeling of purpose. Think of projects, career choices, and personal development endeavours through which you can leverage your skills, talents, and resources.

• Goals – the tangible, short-term targets that measure progress and maintain your focus on your path. They could be specific achievements, milestones or habits contributing to the success of your mission.

I love the dynamic relationship between these elements – purpose remains constant, mission adapts to circumstances and goals serve as checkpoints along the way.

6. The grounding of self-acceptance

High self-acceptance entails fostering a positive attitude toward yourself, embracing both strengths and weaknesses and cultivating positivity about your past. 

It’s a powerful antidote for those of us inclined to overthink.

Try this. Build a more positive and accepting relationship with yourself by adopting a regular practice like:

• Daily affirmations based on self-love and acceptance. Repeat every morning to set the tone of the day.

• Gratitude journaling. Jot down what you’re thankful for to shift your focus to the more positive aspects of yourself and your life – including strengths and weaknesses.

• Self-care rituals be it a relaxing bath or a quiet walk. Think of prioritising time for a hobby or activities that bring joy reinforcing the idea that you deserve care and acceptance.

• Self-compassionate language. Practice kind and understanding language when talking to yourself by responding to mistakes with words of encouragement rather than harsh criticism.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this and you’ve picked up a few tips to help you explore the 6 dimensions of wellbeing in your life. Happiness and fulfilment mean different things to different people but I hope the tools I’ve outlined help you to build a picture of what it means for you.

The journey of self-development unfolds at a pace that suits the individual – it should be a no-pressure kind of approach. I’m a no-pressure kind of coach so if you’re wondering about what coaching could do for you, check out What is Life Coaching and What Happens in a Coaching Session and How Many Will I Need in the blog.

Or of course book a free initial session with me.