Feeling Stuck? 8 Ways to Feel Happier in 2026

If happiness feels elusive right now, you’re not imagining it. Many people are navigating a constant state of low-level overload — screens, notifications, comparison culture, financial pressure and the steady drumbeat of “self-optimization.” The result is that happiness can start to feel like something we’re failing at, rather than something we’re allowed to practice imperfectly.

Jules Von Hep, confidence coach and author of The Confidence Ritual, offers a different lens. After two decades working in the beauty industry, often with people at their most vulnerable, he’s far less interested in quick mindset hacks and far more focused on small, consistent daily behaviors that reshape how people treat themselves. Confidence, he says, isn’t a personality trait — it’s built in ordinary moments.

Here are eight grounded, realistic ways to feel happier in 2026 by shifting how you move through everyday life.

Start With What Feels Good

Von Hep encourages people to stop forcing themselves into routines they think they “should” enjoy and instead lean into what already feels supportive. Happiness builds when daily life contains more moments that feel nourishing rather than draining. Small wins — a smooth commute, a satisfying task completed, a quiet cup of coffee — create momentum. Over time, these moments shape how the day feels as a whole.

Notice the ‘Glimmers’

“Glimmers” are the small, often overlooked moments that gently lift your mood: no traffic on the way to work, sunlight through a window, a warm exchange with a stranger. These moments regulate the nervous system and build emotional resilience. Happier people aren’t necessarily experiencing more joy — they’re noticing it more often and letting it register.

Reframe How You See Yourself

Von Hep’s own confidence journey began when he shifted from self-criticism to self-respect. Instead of punishing his body or striving for a specific image, he chose clothing, routines and environments that made him feel comfortable and grounded. Over time, this change in viewpoint reshaped how he experienced himself. Small internal reframes compound into meaningful shifts in self-esteem.

Curate Your Energy

Not every relationship or digital space supports emotional health. Von Hep describes “energy radiators” — people who leave you feeling lighter — and “mood hoovers,” who consistently drain your emotional reserves. The same is true online. Being intentional about who you engage with and what content you consume helps protect your emotional bandwidth and creates space for steadier happiness.

Use Music and Movement Deliberately

Movement doesn’t have to be formal exercise. Dancing in the kitchen, stretching to music or walking while listening to a favorite song can shift emotional states quickly. Music, in particular, has a powerful effect on mood regulation. Even a few minutes of movement paired with sound can interrupt anxious spirals and reset your nervous system.

Combine Gratitude With Awareness

Gratitude isn’t just a list of things you “should” appreciate. It’s learning to notice what’s already present in your day — small comforts, moments of ease, fleeting beauty. By bringing awareness to these details, you anchor yourself in the present instead of constantly measuring life against what’s missing or what others appear to have.

Make Self-Care Practical

Quick fixes and wellness trends promise transformation, but sustainable happiness is built through consistency. Drinking water, getting outside, moving your body, resting and journaling are unglamorous habits that quietly stabilize mood over time. Self-care becomes powerful when it’s treated as daily maintenance, not an occasional indulgence.

Build Consistency Through Community

Connection plays a central role in confidence and wellbeing. Regular contact with supportive people — through classes, clubs, volunteering or shared interests — builds a sense of belonging. Community doesn’t need to be large or intense. Consistency matters more than scale, and even small social routines can become emotional anchors in a fast-moving world.