The art of being happy: 8 traits of people who radiate joy

When someone radiates joy, it can be felt by others. A sense of joy is what many of us strive for in life: it’s a state of being light-hearted, happy-go-lucky and merry. 

Joy is something that can’t be faked. Instead, joy is something that comes from within. You can spot joyful people from a mile off – their energy is different to people who feel like life is out to get them and that everything is hard.

So, what are these traits of people who radiate joy and how can you be more joyful?

1. They don’t complain

Joyful people don’t spend their time complaining; they realize that by complaining, they’re putting out a negative energy. 

Rather than complaining and looking for the negatives in life, joyful people try and find the positives. They look for the good in the situation and, truth is, they can actually see it.

For example, I consider myself a joyous person and I’m able to find the positives when faced with adversity. 

Now, my boyfriend doesn’t get it. He doesn’t understand how I can truly find a positive in a negative situation. But I can! And I believe this is a big part of why people like spending time with me.

Think about it: do you like spending time with people who are negative and draining?

In my experience, I often distance myself from people who are constantly putting a downer on situations and highlighting the negatives. These aren’t good traits and, truthfully, they’re not very helpful at all. 

Focusing on the negatives of life, and constantly complaining about things that are wrong in your life, will only cause you to fixate on these things… Worse, it will ultimately mean that you miss out on all of the wonderful, positive things in your life.

I enjoy spending my time with people who radiate positive vibes and joy. I’m sure it’s much the same for you! 

Be someone who radiates joy through finding the good in situations.

2. They express gratitude 

The difference between someone who radiates joy and someone who is stuck in low vibration, is that joyful people express gratitude. 

From the bottom of their heart, joyful people are grateful for the little things in their lives.

They are grateful for the cup of coffee in front of them in the morning, for the pair of socks that keep their feet warm, for the sun beating down on their face. They are endlessly grateful! And the gratitude joyful people feel is very real. 

Now, when you live in a state of gratitude, you live in a high vibration. In other words, you focus on all that is good… 

…And by focusing on all that is good, you attract more of it. This is the basic premise of the Law of Attraction, which says like-attracts-like. 

Simply put, you get back what you put out. 

Joyous people know this formula is true, as they find themselves feeling more and more grateful each day.

3. They smile a lot 

This one might sound obvious, but it’s true… Joyful people smile a lot! They don’t smile in a creepy way, but instead they smile in a sincere, warm way. 

Joyful people are happy to have another day exploring the Earth and to spend time doing the things they love – be it spending time with friends or working on projects they are passionate about – and they see it as something worth smiling about.

Joyous people start their day with a smile, and they smile at people as they go about their business.

It’s a trope that people who live in cities never smile, but joyous people smile wherever they are. What’s more, joyous people try to make other people smile as they go about their days too.

You’re likely to find a joyous person trying to lock eyes with a stranger while out on a walk or on public transport, and cracking a smile. 

Through smiling at strangers, joyous people do their best to engage others and make them smile. The only reason they want this is for others to feel a sense of joy.

4. They’re in the present moment 

Joyous people are in the present moment. 

Of course, we all live in the present moment… But, I mean joyous people are not trying to run away from the present moment. They’re happy actually being in the present moment.

This is a key difference.

Joyous people can find the good in the present moment, even if they fundamentally want things in their lives to be different. They don’t dwell on what they can’t change in the present moment. 

They don’t see the point in living in a negative state of mind, they would rather focus on the good things they do have in their lives at that moment. 

What’s more, joyous people are just as ambitious and goal-oriented as those who aren’t joyous. They’re just also happy with what they have in the present moment, and not living in a lack or negative mindset. 

Just because someone is not complaining about their circumstances and they seem happy with what they have, doesn’t mean they’re not striving for more!

5. They are accepting 

Joyous people are accepting. They are accepting of their circumstances, people around them and situations they can’t control. They know there is no point in fixating on the things that they cannot change.

In other words, joyous people accept what has happened in the past and they are at peace with their decisions.

They recognize that there is no point in complaining about things that they can’t do anything about. In other words, they have a good perspective on life. 

Joyous people would rather use their energy towards things that they can do something about; they don’t ruminate on the things that they can’t change. 

For example, they are more likely to accept the end of a relationship and move on, rather than thinking about it day in, day out five years down the line.

6. They look for the best in others 

Joyful people look for the good and positives in other people.

Simply put, joyous people don’t try to find what is wrong with another person. Instead, they find what it is they do like and what is worth celebrating about another person.

Of course, there are exceptions when people are just outright nasty and selfish – but, for the most part, joyous people do manage to find something positive about another person. 

You see, joyous people have a habit of finding the good in life – and this extends to situations, people and everything in between.

A joyous person is much more likely to point out something positive in another person, compared to someone who is in a low-vibration state. 

For example, someone who is joyous might point out that another person is really talented and creative, while someone who isn’t joyous might not be able to appreciate the beauty of another person’s work… and therefore doesn’t have anything positive to say or comment on!

Simply put, a more joyous person is likely to pick up on the good qualities about another person.

7. They have more compassion 

It’s often the case that a more joyous person has a greater sense of compassion for others. 

When someone is joyous, they don’t spend their time dwelling on how rubbish their life is or how miserable they are. Rather, they feel good about life and themselves and, therefore, have more to give to others.

Joyous people are generally able to carry out more compassionate acts for others. These don’t have to be great big gestures – they can just be small acts of kindness, such as making someone a cup of tea or sending someone a text to say you love them. 

Joyous people know that it doesn’t cost anything to be kind. 

They know that through being kind and compassionate to others, they don’t drain their own resources. Their cups are so full! 

8. They look after themselves 

As an alternative to filling their minds with negative things – including gossiping about others – or pumping their bodies with substances that do harm, joyous people are kind to themselves. 

Joyous people look after themselves each day: it starts with how they wake up in the morning, right through until the minute they go to bed. 

They don’t wake up and tell themselves that they’re useless and what they do doesn’t matter; instead, they make it their mission to get their minds right.

Joyous people are more likely to start their days with mental exercises, like journalling or meditation, which allows them to empty any negative thoughts and to get their minds right. They know that they have a responsibility to look after their mental well-being. 

Throughout the day, joyous people are also more likely to do small things that make them feel good – from taking small breaks to checking in with loved ones.

Joyous people recognize the importance of doing things that make them feel good in order for them to be the best versions of themselves.

Simply put, joyous people prioritize their well-being – whether it takes the form of boundary-setting, taking the time for themselves or doing things they really love.

Pearl Nash

Pearl Nash has years of experience writing relationship articles for single females looking for love. After being single for years with no hope of meeting Mr. Right, she finally managed to get married to the love of her life. Now that she’s settled down and happier than she’s ever been in her life, she's passionate about sharing all the wisdom she's learned over the journey. Pearl is also an accredited astrologer and publishes Hack Spirit's daily horoscope.

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