Pearl Nash Last Updated
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Between all the work that needs to be done and the bills that need paying, it’s hard to think that there’s even any room for being carefree.
Some people even think that happy-go-lucky people are just irresponsible or lazy… which is really not the case!
In fact, I know many people who have succeeded in life precisely because they’re happy-go-lucky.
If you want to know why they’re someone we all should aspire to become, here are some traits of people who are happy-go-lucky, and how it helps them.
1) They live in the present
One of the reasons why happy-go-lucky people are the way they are is because they aren’t stuck in the past or lost in the future, and instead remain firmly grounded in the present.
Sure, they would still reflect on the past or wonder about the future, but they know better than to worry too much about things that haven’t happened yet or to wallow in self-hate over past regrets.
And because of this, they’re able to enjoy what’s in front of them. This, as we already know, is fundamental to happiness.
So if you want to be happier, be a little more like a happy-go-lucky person—be more present.
2) They let go of control
There’s no doubt that happy-go-lucky people aren’t the most controlling bunch out there. And that is one big reason why they are happier than most.
See, most of us are just way too obsessed with the idea of being in control over everything we could ever think of, making us uptight and miserable.
Life is, after all, unpredictable and trying to make sure you’re always in control is an exercise in failure. Whether consciously or subconsciously, happy-go-lucky people understand that much.
They don’t micromanage their team, they don’t obsess over why their partner isn’t replying to their texts…and while they have an idea what kind of the life they want, they’re more than willing to change and adapt as needed.
3) They’re easy to please
A lot of people would look at the phrase “easy to please” and recoil in disgust. It’s a trait that’s generally seen as a weakness—a sign that someone is simple-minded.
But it really is not a bad trait, not at all! Happy-go-lucky people are easy to please simply because they try to appreciate everything around them.
Even the smallest, most inconsequential gifts still give them joy because they aren’t too concerned about whether that gift is pricey or not because the sentiment—that someone cares for them—is what matters to them.
4) They see the world with wonder
A lot of people say that happy-go-lucky people are people who never grew up.
This is another of those things that sounds harsh at first glance, but if you were to take a closer look, you’ll see that it’s actually a good thing.
The thing is that when we’re young, we see the world with eyes wide open in wonder. We’re always asking questions, always curious, always wondering what’s just over the next bend.
But unfortunately, a lot of us get that hammered out of us by the people around us—those who think that you need to be uptight to be a “grown up” and that enjoying yourself is a pointless waste of time.
Happy-go-lucky people are those who grew up and matured but refused to let life beat that sense of wonder out of them. They’re the ones who become everyone’s favorite grandparent in their twilight years.
5) They’re resilient
Happy-go-lucky people are likely the way they are because they’ve already been through a lot of hardships and challenges.
Their experiences have made them resilient and therefore, they’re not easily fazed by life’s troubles.
When you see someone still laughing and singing even if they’re drowning in debt or going through divorce, it’s probably not because they don’t care about their problems…it’s because they know that all their problems will pass. They’re also very aware that crying and worrying would never save them from their troubles.
6) They’ve figured out their life purpose
A big reason why a lot of happy-go-lucky people are the way they are is because they’ve already figured out what they want in life.
They aren’t grappling with feelings of insecurity or being lost, and that’s because they already know what direction they want to go.
And the funny thing is that I know many people who once were quite uptight and miserable slowly become more easy-going after they’ve figured out their life purpose.
So one way you can be a bit easier on yourself and everyone around you is to try to figure out what you’re here for. And to that end I’d strongly recommend this video by the Ideapod co-founder Justin Brown.
Here he talks about the transformative power in finding your life’s purpose and teaches you ways in how you can help find it.
If you’re thinking “eh, I can figure it out on my own”, hold that thought—you might be doing it wrong. That’s what Justin learned when he went to Brazil and learned a better, more straightforward technique from the renowned shaman Rudá Iandê.
7) They believe anything is possible
It doesn’t matter if they’re 30, 64, or 92. Happy-go-lucky people hold on to that belief that anything is possible if you put your heart to it.
They are less afraid to approach tasks than everyone else because of that, and failures to them are merely opportunities to learn to be better.
So they dream and think of many possibilities, and try things with gusto and much optimism.
Because of this, you rarely see them worry that things could go wrong. Because as far as they’re concerned, they’ll either succeed or learn how to succeed.
8) They see suffering as a normal part of life
Those who believe that life should be happy and comfortable all the time will always get disappointed and, in time, bitter. They’ll then curse the heavens and ask “Why me?!” when bad things happen to them.
The happy-go-lucky person deals with the troubles life gives them much more gracefully.
They won’t go “Oh, but why me?” because they understand that it’s not just them—everyone suffers, and some more than others. Life is unfair, and they accept that fact.
9) They don’t catastrophize
Happy-go-lucky people are the way they are because they don’t make mountains out of molehills.
They don’t fixate on small issues and think about how they could blow up into big crises that they’ll have to deal with in advance.
If they get back pains, for example, instead of immediately thinking that they have osteoporosis or bone cancer, they’ll first think about whether their intense exercise the day before caused it.
Or if their boss gives them negative feedback on their work, they won’t convince themselves that they’re now fired. Instead they’ll treat that feedback as constructive criticism they can rely on to make their work better.
10) They don’t marinate in self-pity
It happens—life sometimes just brings down even the best of us. Those people you’d call “happy-go-lucky” are no exception.
But where they stand out is that they won’t allow themselves to stay down. They understand that if they let themselves linger for a bit too long in self-pity, they’ll only get themselves stuck in the mud.
So they would cry and get sad to work those emotions out, and then get up back on their feet as soon as they can.
11) They “wing it”
Something might intimidate or even terrify a carefree, happy-go-lucky person, but they won’t let that get in the way.
So if there’s something that needs to be done, they’re not scared to just go ahead and “wing it”.
When there is something they need to do but know nothing about, they won’t go “no, I can’t do this”—they’ll instead read up about it and do their best to take it on.
12) They don’t hold grudges
Some say that you should forgive and forget, others say that you should stay mad and use your grudges to motivate you.
Happy-go-lucky people see the problem with both of these options, and opt for a third.
They would be cautious around those who had hurt them—it would be foolish to pretend that nothing happened—but at the same time, they aren’t exactly going to stay mad and hold a grudge. And sure, they might use their experience to motivate themselves to become better.
But they’re more concerned about living in the present and enjoying themselves to let past troubles hold them back.
13) They’re genuinely content
And it’s not because everything is going well for them. It’s not because they’re pretending that things are good even when they’re not either.
Rather, they’re content because of… well, just about everything else about them. They’re content because they understand that life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows.
They don’t go around thinking they’re entitled to whatever it is they want, and don’t spend their days comparing their lives with everyone else’s.
Life itself is beautiful enough, filled with awe and wonder.
14) They believe we’re here to fart around
“I tell you, we are here on Earth to fart around, and don’t let anybody tell you different,” said Kurt Vonnegut.
Happy-go-lucky people believe that although we might be here to fulfill our life’s purpose, that doesn’t mean that we should take life too seriously either.
We’re meant to enjoy what the world has to give us, just as we are meant to endure its storms in the company of those who care for us.
We’re also meant to think freely, to indulge in the things we enjoy so long as we aren’t harming another regardless of whether people think it’s “weird” or “pointless.”
Last words
Happy-go-lucky people have traits that we all should aspire to have.
If we’re too uptight about how we and the others around us live our lives, then even if we achieve our life goals… is it truly worth it? Is it worth it to strive for a single moment of satisfaction at the expense of a pleasant journey?
And even then, it’s no guarantee that you’ll even achieve those goals in the first place! In which case, you’re suffering in vain.
So even if you’re pursuing goals, chill. Relax. Stop and smell the flowers every now and then…because life is meant to be lived.
