8 ways truly strong women choose to be happy

Ever notice how some women seem super happy, no matter what’s going on?

Well, it’s not magic or luck—they make that happiness happen.

These strong women know how to deal with life’s ups and downs and still keep a smile on their face.

Want to know how they do it?

 In this article, I’ll go through 8 simple tricks strong women use to stay happy.

And guess what? You can use them too, starting today.

So let’s dive in and figure out how to make every day a good one. 

1. They Prioritize Self-Care

Alright, let’s kick things off with something we often overlook: self-care.

Nope, it’s not selfish. Strong, happy women get it; taking care of yourself is like putting gas in a car.If you’re running on empty, you’re not going to get very far.

These women set aside time to do what makes them feel good, whether that’s a bubble bath, a quick run, or just some quiet time with a good book.

Self-care is their non-negotiable. They don’t wait until everything else is done to focus on themselves—they make it a priority.

This keeps them energized and ready to face whatever comes their way.

And let’s be real, when you feel good, you’re better at dealing with life’s challenges and helping the people around you.

So if you want to be happy like these strong women, start by treating yourself well.

Trust me, you’ll notice a big difference in how you feel!

2. They Cultivate Gratitude

Ever noticed how some people can find something good even in tough situations?

Strong, happy women practice this all the time. They know that focusing on what’s going well, instead of what’s going wrong, can totally change your mood.

Each day, they take a minute to think about the things they’re thankful for. It could be something big, like a promotion, or something small, like a killer parking spot right in front of the grocery store.

I started doing this a couple of years ago, jotting down three things I’m grateful for each night before bed.

You wouldn’t believe the shift in perspective it gives you. On bad days, it’s a reminder that there’s still good stuff happening.

And on good days, well, it just makes them even better!

Feeling thankful for what you have right now can really boost your happiness. It shifts your focus from what you lack or what you wish were different, to what you actually have.

And hey, it turns out that a thankful heart is a happy heart!

3. They’re Not Afraid to Say No

We’ve all been there—saying “yes” when we really want to scream “no,” just to keep the peace or make someone else happy.

But here’s the raw truth: strong, happy women aren’t people-pleasers.

They know that saying “yes” to everything is a one-way ticket to Stressville.

So, they’re not afraid to say “no” when they need to, even if it makes them unpopular for a minute.

Look, I’ve been that yes-woman, afraid of letting people down or missing out.

But all it did was stretch me thin and make me miserable.

Learning to say “no” was like a breath of fresh air. It gave me the time and energy to focus on what really mattered to me.

The bottom line is this: your time and energy are precious.

Don’t spend them on things that don’t make you happy or bring value to your life.

Saying “no” might be uncomfortable at first, but it’s empowering as heck. Give it a try, and see how it transforms how you feel.

4. They Embrace Failure as a Friend

Wait, what? Failure and happiness in the same sentence? Yep, you read that right.

One of the most counterintuitive secrets strong, happy women know is that failure isn’t the enemy—it’s actually a friend in disguise.

While most of us dread messing up and view it as a setback, these women see failure as valuable feedback, a lesson on what not to do next time.

Nobody hits a home run every time they’re up to bat. You’re going to strike out sometimes, and that’s okay!

Strong women don’t waste time beating themselves up over failures.

Instead, they high-five themselves for having the courage to try in the first place.

Then they take what they’ve learned and give it another go, armed with new insight.

This approach flips the script on how you deal with challenges.

When you start to see failure as a stepping stone, rather than a stumbling block, your whole attitude shifts.

You become more resilient, more adventurous, and yes, happier.

So the next time you flop at something, give yourself a pat on the back for giving it a shot, and look for the lesson.

Trust me, it’s there.

5. They Make Time for Play

You might think that strong, successful women are all work and no play, but that’s far from the truth.

They know the value of letting loose and having a good time.

Playtime isn’t just for kids; it’s a secret ingredient for happiness at any age.

Whether it’s a game night with friends, dancing around the living room, or even a quick round of a mobile game during a lunch break, these women make sure to inject some fun into their lives.

Let me tell you, I used to think play was a waste of time. I mean, there’s always something “important” to do, right?

But then I realized that those “unimportant” moments of play were actually recharging my soul and making all the “important” stuff easier to handle. It was a game-changer, no pun intended.

So, if you’ve been all about that hustle and grind, take a cue from strong, happy women and pencil in some playtime.

You’ll be surprised how a little bit of fun can turn your whole day around!

6. They Build a Strong Support Network

Nobody goes through life alone, and strong, happy women understand the power of having a reliable tribe.

Friends, family, mentors—these are the people who lift you up when you’re down and celebrate with you when you’re up.

Having a strong support network isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential for long-term happiness.

I used to think I could do it all on my own. You know, the whole “lone wolf” vibe.

But when the chips were down, I realized how much easier and more fulfilling it was to tackle life’s challenges with a team of cheerleaders on my side.

It was like finding a safety net I never knew I needed.

So, take the time to nurture those meaningful relationships in your life. And hey, be that support for others too.

It’s a two-way street, and you’ll find that the more love and support you give, the more you get back.

And that, my friends, is a recipe for happiness.

7. They Let Go of Toxic Relationships

Strong, happy women have a no-nonsense approach when it comes to their circle.

If a relationship—be it friendship, family, or romantic—is draining more than it’s enriching, they have the courage to step back or even walk away.

Yep, holding onto toxic relationships is like holding onto a hot coal; the only person you’re hurting is yourself.

I’ve been there, gripping onto relationships that were clearly bad for me, just because I was afraid of being alone or thought I could “fix” the other person.

But the ugly truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. I had to learn to choose myself, my peace, and my happiness over staying in a toxic situation.

Here’s the bottom line: Life is too short to spend it with people who bring you down.

It’s not easy to cut ties or create boundaries, but sometimes it’s necessary for your own well-being.

If a relationship is making you miserable, it’s time to ask yourself if it’s really worth it.

The answer might be tough to face, but it’s crucial for your long-term happiness.

8. They Don’t Chase Perfection

Hang on—shouldn’t strong, happy women strive to be perfect to get the most out of life?

Nope, that’s the myth we’re busting right now.

These women understand something crucial: perfection is a happiness killer.

Yep, you heard it right.

Aiming for perfection doesn’t make you happier; it usually does the opposite. It sets you up for constant stress and inevitable disappointment, because let’s be real—nobody’s perfect.

Strong, happy women don’t waste time fretting over every little mistake or imperfection.

Instead, they embrace their flaws and learn to love themselves, warts and all.

They know that sometimes “good enough” really is good enough, and that frees them to enjoy the journey without obsessing over the destination.

I used to think that if I wasn’t the best at something, it meant I was the worst.

It sounds silly, but that kind of black-and-white thinking can really mess with your happiness.

When I let go of the need to be perfect, life became a lot more enjoyable.

So go ahead, give yourself permission to be imperfect. You’ll be amazed at how liberating it is, and just how much room it leaves for true happiness.

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Tina Fey

I'm Tina Fey, the founder of the blog Love Connection. I've extremely passionate about sharing relationship advice. I've studied psychology and have my Masters in marital, family, and relationship counseling. I hope with all my heart to help you improve your relationships, and I hope that even if one thing I write helps you, it means more to me than just about anything else in the world. Check out my blog Love Connection, and if you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter

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