12 ways classy women choose to be happy

In such a fast-paced world, it can oftentimes feel like there are so many factors threatening our peace of mind.

It can be challenging to maintain a semblance of happiness. But what exactly makes people happy?

Money, power, sex, career, plastic surgery, a cold bottle of wine?

All of the above are just short-term pleasures.

If you want to have persistent, long-lasting happiness, you have to choose it.

You need to choose to perform actions that spark joy and bring a sense of contentment within you – the same way that classy women do.

1) They constantly remind themselves of their goals

Classy women are well aware of the purpose of setting goals.

These ambitious, driven individuals have a clear vision of what they want to achieve.

They break down these larger-than-life goals into smaller, manageable tasks (small wins) to make things seem less daunting and far from impossible in their eyes.

Don’t get it twisted – while they are constantly pushing themselves to be better, — taking those steps to make their dreams a reality — they’re also content with where they are currently in their lives.

They make time for chasing these aspirations, but they also don’t forget to leave time for living because that’s what’s truly important.

2) They don’t take things personally

Classy women know that the world doesn’t revolve around them.

When faced with criticism and negativity, they don’t take things personally because she’ll just end up feeling unnecessary stress; whatever you input in your mind, the same output will come out.

Notice that these types of people only have the nicest, most professional, and even the funniest things to say.

The thing is, I’m guilty of being the complete opposite of this trait sometimes, but I remind myself this: Other people’s actions and words say more about them than about me.

People tend to project their insecurities a lot.

And so when I try to come from a place of understanding, I am met with empathy, as well as contentment.

3) They don’t compete with anyone else but themselves

Another key factor for classy women’s happiness is their ability to focus on their personal development.

Their only competition is their own self, especially their past self. They don’t feel the urge to measure themselves against others or even society-imposed metrics in order to feel adequate or fulfilled.

They consider mistakes and failures as stepping stones towards their goals.

They set their own benchmarks for success and take inspiration from the success stories of others.

Take note: The best success stories oftentimes begin with failure.

Just look at J.K. Rowling, Ariana Huffington, Oprah Winfrey, and Vera Wang – they all encountered countless rejections before finding the success they relentlessly searched for.

4) They do meticulous self-care

Believe it or not, your self-care routine plays a crucial role in your overall happiness levels.

For classy women, they make sure that self-care – may that be mental, emotional, or physical – is a non-negotiable part of their day.

Examples of these include going for a morning walk, indulging in a spa day, reading a book, and talking to friends.

It’s great to invest in yourself. Set aside dedicated time slots each week for activities that make you feel good.

When you have a proper self-care routine that you stick to, you’re cultivating a sense of inner peace and happiness that radiates from within.

5) They try not to sweat the small stuff

Happiness can seem like an elusive pursuit, especially with all the microchoices, all the self-absorbed individuals, and all the setbacks that you encounter in your daily life.

But for classy women, they don’t let these minor inconveniences and small irritations ruin their day.

They like to keep things in perspective. Trivial matters don’t consume their energy and affect their mood.

I’d like to say that this whole “not sweating the small stuff” trait comes with age. It’s only understandable when you’re a kid and someone steals your stuffed toy (a.k.a. your best friend), you feel like your whole world just got taken away from you.

But as I grew older, I realized that when instances like this happen – the adult versions, of course – and I get upset, all I really did was give the other person the power over my emotions, my own happiness.

6) They know how to set boundaries

Setting healthy boundaries is essential for any classy woman. Saying “no” doesn’t always have a negative connotation.

In fact, it’s a necessity if you want to protect your time, energy, and well-being.

You’re staying away from the possibility of getting overwhelmed by other people’s demands, expectations, and opinions.

To implement this principle in your life, you need to do a lot of introspection and thought exercises.

You need to identify your limits.

What are your core values? Who should you surround yourself with? Should you prioritize this certain event? Do you need to be someplace else? Are they overstepping a boundary?

7) They don’t seek external validation

True happiness comes from within.

Whatever you feel from external validation – through approval of a higher-up, praise from your family, or even comments from peers and strangers on the internet – it’s fleeting.

Becoming reliant on these outside sources might lead to a never-ending chase for approval.

You’re always going to want a superior to approve your work; you want your parents to always vocalize how proud they are; you’ll keep watching the likes of your every social media post go up until you break your personal record.

Classy women practice self-compassion.

They recognize their accomplishments, strengths, and even weaknesses.

They remind themselves that they are worthy and deserving of happiness, regardless of what others may think or say.

8) They practice relentless acceptance

Classy women embrace the art of relentless acceptance.

It’s a powerful mindset that can transform your outlook on life, helping you navigate whatever challenges with grace and a sense of contentment.

It means embracing the present moment, along with all its imperfections and frustrations, without judgment or resistance.

This characteristic takes a lifetime to learn.

One year, you’re focusing on the things you can control – then you’re five years older and notice that so many people are getting on your nerves.

That’s fine. Nobody is perfect. As long as you’re cultivating mindfulness and catching yourself in these instances, you’re already a step closer to happiness.

9) They stay in relationships that bring harmony

There’s nothing more inspiring than watching someone flex their effective communication skills – and that applies to classy women.

One way these types of women maintain harmony in their relationships is by showing appreciation and gratitude.

They “thank you” even for the smallest things, which is a simple yet powerful way to strengthen a relationship.

In terms of romantic relationships, I wish I could tell you that I’ve been a classy woman all my life and that I cut myself off from toxic people. That is far from the truth.

There was a time in my life when I dated men that didn’t respect my space and independence.

They kept texting and calling and updating and getting mad if they hadn’t heard back from me in an hour.

So take it from me – please nurture a strong sense of self-worth first before entering a relationship.

Don’t settle for less than what you deserve.

10) They have an abundance mindset

One trait that really stands out with classy individuals is their unshakeable belief in their own potential.

Their confidence is contagious. They make you believe that you, too, can do great things. They’re always more than willing to share their knowledge, resources, and time with others.

They know that there are endless opportunities for everyone, so there’s no need to hoard any avenues of success and happiness.

People with an abundance mindset tend to make me more optimistic and positive.

They focus on the silver lining: The potential rewards of a situation always outweighs the risks and challenges.

This way of framing makes all the difference when it comes to leveraging opportunities that others may overlook or shy away from.

11) They’re always learning something new

On the topic of opportunities, classy women are lifelong learners that are always on the lookout for new possibilities to explore, grow, and succeed.

They have this inner drive that keeps them moving forward.

You can’t deny a classy woman’s strong work ethic. She’s not a passive consumer of media and information.

Rather, she likes to actively engage with content by taking notes, asking questions, challenging her own beliefs, practicing critical thinking, and most of all, applying her newfound knowledge in real-life situations.

12) They fall in love with themselves

Last, but definitely not least, classy women embody a level of self-love that’s worth emulating.

They don’t need a partner to fill an inner void, instead, they learn how to genuinely like themselves and enjoy their alone time.

They take themselves out on dates, give themselves what they need, and have a high regard for their own happiness. That said, they also choose happiness simply because they love themselves.