The art of thriving in life: 8 simple things happy people make time for every day

Ever notice how some people just seem to have life figured out? They walk through their days with this quiet confidence, handling stress like it's nothing, genuinely enjoying the small stuff that the rest of us rush past.

I used to wonder what their secret was. Back when I was shifting TVs in a Melbourne warehouse, despite having a psychology degree under my belt, I'd watch my coworkers who seemed genuinely content while I was constantly chasing the next thing. That humbling experience taught me something crucial: happiness isn't about achieving some grand milestone. It's about the small, intentional choices we make every single day.

After years of studying Eastern philosophy and mindfulness, founding Hack Spirit, and now navigating the beautiful chaos of being a new dad, I've discovered that the happiest people aren't necessarily the ones with perfect lives. They're the ones who've mastered the art of making time for what actually matters.

So what exactly are these happy people doing differently? Here are eight simple things they prioritize every day, no matter how busy life gets.

1. They start with stillness

Before the world gets its hooks into them, happy people claim a few minutes of quiet. Maybe it's meditation, maybe it's just sitting with their coffee before checking their phone.

I meditate every morning, though I'll be honest, the duration varies wildly. Sometimes it's 30 minutes, sometimes it's barely 5, especially now with a baby daughter who has her own ideas about when mornings should start. But here's what I've learned: consistency beats perfection every time. Those five minutes of stillness set a completely different tone for the day than diving straight into emails and notifications.

You don't need a meditation cushion or an app (though both can help). Just sit. Breathe. Let your mind settle before the chaos begins. It's like giving yourself a head start on the day instead of playing catch-up from the moment you wake up.

2. They move their bodies

Happy people get this fundamental truth: your body and mind are connected. When one feels good, the other follows.

This doesn't mean crushing yourself at the gym every morning. Some days it's a run, other days it's a walk around the block, or even just stretching while the coffee brews. The point is movement, not performance.

In my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I talk about how Buddhist monks incorporate walking meditation into their daily practice. They understand that movement isn't separate from mindfulness; it's another pathway to it.

The research backs this up too. Regular movement, even gentle exercise, releases endorphins, reduces stress hormones, and improves sleep quality. Happy people know this intuitively and make it non-negotiable.

3. They connect meaningfully

Here's something I've noticed: genuinely happy people don't just accumulate contacts. They cultivate connections.

Every day, they make time for real interaction. Not the surface-level "how's the weather" stuff, but actual connection. Maybe it's a proper conversation with their partner over breakfast, a check-in call with an old friend, or really listening when a colleague shares something personal.

Since becoming a father, I've realized how easy it is to be physically present but mentally elsewhere. Happy people resist this. They put the phone down, make eye contact, and give their full attention to the humans in front of them.

Quality beats quantity every time. One genuine five-minute conversation where you're fully present beats an hour of distracted small talk.

4. They pursue growth

Happy people are learners. Every single day, they feed their curiosity somehow.

Maybe they read for 20 minutes, listen to a podcast during their commute, or try cooking something new. The subject doesn't matter as much as the act of expanding their world a little bit each day.

I've been diving deep into Buddhism and Eastern philosophy for years now, and one thing that strikes me is how much emphasis these traditions place on beginner's mind. Approaching life with curiosity and openness, regardless of how much you already know.

Growth doesn't have to be formal or structured. Sometimes the best learning comes from conversations, from trying and failing at something new, or from simply paying attention to what life is teaching you.

5. They practice gratitude actively

This might sound like wellness fluff, but hear me out. Happy people have trained themselves to notice the good stuff.

They don't wait for big wins to feel grateful. They appreciate their morning coffee, the fact that traffic was lighter than usual, or that their kid smiled at them (even if said kid also kept them up half the night).

Try this: before bed tonight, think of three specific things from your day that were good. Not earth-shattering, just good. The warmth of the sun through your window. That your favorite song came on the radio. That the grocery store had your preferred brand of whatever in stock.

It sounds simple because it is. But this daily practice literally rewires your brain to scan for positive experiences instead of threats and problems.

6. They create something

Happy people make stuff. Doesn't matter what, doesn't matter if it's good. They just create.

Maybe they journal, sketch, play music, cook, garden, write code, or build things. The act of creation, of bringing something into existence that wasn't there before, feeds something essential in us.

When I started Hack Spirit back in 2016, I realized there was this gap in practical, accessible self-improvement content. But honestly? The act of creating it, of putting ideas into words and sharing them, has been just as valuable as any impact it's had on readers.

As I mention in Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, creation without ego attachment is one of the purest forms of joy. You're not creating to impress anyone or achieve something. You're creating because the act itself is fulfilling.

7. They embrace solitude

In our hyper-connected world, happy people dare to disconnect. They carve out time to be alone with their thoughts, without distraction, without entertainment, without anyone else's energy influencing them.

This isn't about being antisocial. It's about recharging, processing, and reconnecting with yourself. Maybe it's a solo walk, a bath, or just sitting in the car for five extra minutes before going inside.

Solitude is where self-awareness grows. It's where you process the day, check in with how you're really feeling, and remember who you are beneath all the roles you play.

8. They sleep like it matters

Because it does. Massively.

Happy people protect their sleep like it's sacred. They have routines, boundaries, and they stick to them most of the time. They know that everything, literally everything, is harder when you're exhausted.

This means saying no to that extra episode, putting the phone in another room, and creating an environment that actually promotes rest. Dark, cool, quiet. They treat bedtime like an appointment with themselves that can't be rescheduled.

Good sleep isn't just about physical recovery. It's when your brain processes emotions, consolidates memories, and clears out mental debris. Skip it consistently, and you're basically trying to thrive with one hand tied behind your back.

Final words

The beautiful thing about these eight practices? None of them require massive life changes, special equipment, or perfect circumstances. They're accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any stage of life.

I've learned this through my own journey, from feeling lost in that warehouse to building Hack Spirit, to now stepping into parenthood. Happiness isn't found in achieving some distant goal. It's cultivated daily through small, intentional choices.

Start with one. Pick whichever resonates most and commit to it for a week. Once it feels natural, add another. Before you know it, you'll have built a framework for thriving that works regardless of what life throws at you.

The art of thriving isn't about doing everything perfectly. It's about consistently showing up for the things that matter, even in small ways. That's what happy people understand, and now you do too.