51 Do What Makes You Happy Quotes for 2024

Life is too short. And that one statement alone sums up exactly why you should do what makes you happy.

Yes, we all have obligations that involve doing things that might not bring us happiness (paying bills, cleaning the bathroom, driving to work during rush hour…) But that doesn’t mean our search for fulfilment should cease.

It’s time to put yourself first. To think about your own happiness. And if you’re in need of that metaphorical kick up the backside to do that, these do what makes you happy quotes are just the thing.

Should You Spend More Time Doing What Makes You Happy?

Far too often, we put up with and get on with, for the sake of other people. Family, friends, partners, and even co-workers. They all, at some point, have expectations that weigh heavy on us. And simply don’t make us happy.

So why do we do it anyway? Often, for an easier life. It avoids awkward situations and disgruntled debates. And for the time it takes to do whatever it is they wanted, you didn’t really lose anything.

But, actually, you did.

For every moment spent doing things that don’t tick the happy box, you’ve lost time doing things that could. And you can’t get those moments back. You can’t exchange them. Or ask to reset the game of life.

This, right now, right here, is all we’ve got. There are no promises or guarantees for next week or next year. So shouldn't we stop wasting time on stuff that doesn’t make us truly happy?

You could try writing a list, or grabbing a journal, and noting down everything you want to do. Things that you’ve put off, found excuses for, or didn’t even think of until today. And then pick one.

It doesn’t need to be grand (unless white water rafting was on your list!) And it doesn’t need to involve anyone else unless you want it to.

This is your story. Your happiness. And your reminder to get up and live your life.

So let’s get started with these do what makes you happy quotes.

51 Do What Makes You Happy Quotes for 2024

1. “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.” – Charles Spurgeon
2. “Stop comparing yourself to other people, just choose to be happy and live your own life.” – Roy T. Bennett
3. “Whatever you decide to do. Make sure it makes you happy.” – Paulo Coelho
4. “To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others.” – Albert Camus
5. “I think, whatever makes you happy in life, you gotta do it. You can’t plan in life too much.” – Tyga

I think, whatever makes you happy in life, you gotta do it. You can’t plan in life too much.” – Tyga

6. “You are happy when you are enthusiastic and action-oriented, not when you are luxury and pleasure oriented.” – Debasish Mridha
7. “True happiness is…to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” – Seneca
8. “The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams.” – Oprah Winfrey
9. “Do what makes you happy, be with who makes you smile, laugh as much as you breathe, and love as long as you live.” – Rachel Ann Nunes
10. “Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” – Marthe Troly-Curtin

11. “If you want happiness for an hour – take a nap. If you want happiness for a day – go fishing. If you want happiness for a year – inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime – help someone else.” – Chinese Proverb
12. “You gotta look for the good in the bad, the happy in your sad, the gain in your pain, and what makes you grateful not hateful.” – Karen Salmansohn
13. “Don’t wait around for other people to be happy for you. Any happiness you get you’ve got to make yourself.” – Alice Walker
14. “Forget trying to please them, do what makes you happy.” – Unknown
15. “Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn’t stop to enjoy it.” – William Feather
16. “DO MORE of what makes you happy, spend more time with who makes you smile. Worry not the person that doesn’t like you back…” – Unknown
17. “Be a curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you’re only left with what’s necessary, with what makes you happy.” – Leo Babbuta
18. “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” – Coco Chanel
19. “Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things.” – Walt Disney
20. “Being happy never goes out of style.” – Lilly Pulitzer

21. “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Herman Cain
22. “Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.” – Oprah Winfrey
23. “Never live your life for anyone else but you, find and Do what makes You happy.” – Rashida Rowe
24. “Happiness hides in life’s small details. If you’re not looking, it becomes invisible.” – Joyce Brothers
25. “Be healthy and take care of yourself, but be happy with the beautiful things that make you, you.” – Beyoncé
26. “Happiness isn’t an accident. It’s a decision to prioritize yourself and enjoy your life.” – Unknown
27. “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.” – Muhammad Ali
28. “It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.” – L.M. Montgomery

It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.” – L.M. Montgomery

29. “Do what makes you happy. Not everyone will understand, and that’s okay.” – Unknown
30. “Better late than never, do what’s best for yourself. Only you know what makes you happy and what’s gonna make you happy.” – Unknown
31. “Happiness is like those places in fairy tales whose gates are guarded by dragons; we must fight in order to conquer it.” – Alexandre Dumas
32. “You must try to generate happiness within yourself. If you aren’t happy in one place, chances are you won’t be happy anyplace.” – Ernie Banks
33. “Most people would rather be certain they’re miserable, than risk being happy.” – Dr.Robert Anthony
34. “Haters gonna hate, no matter what you choose to do. So, you might as well do what makes you happy.” – Anthon St. Maarten
35. “Happiness is letting go of what you think your life is supposed to look like.” – Unknown
36. “Roll with the punches and enjoy every minute of it.” – Meghan Markle

37. “Happiness doesn’t depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude.” – Dale Carnegie
38. “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
39. “If you want to be happy, be.” – Leo Tolstoy
40. “The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, the wise grows it under his feet.” – James Oppenheim
41. “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” – Dalai Lama
42. “You should do what suits you and what makes you happy instead of doing something you don’t like.” – Anurag Prakash Ray
43. “Do not set aside your happiness. Do not wait to be happy in the future. The best time to be happy is always now.” – Roy T. Bennett
44. “Beauty is everywhere. You only have to look to see it.” – Bob Ross
45. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” – Maya Angelou
46. “Each day you owe it to yourself to go after what makes you happy.” – Germany Kent

47. “Life is not about depending on others to make you happy. It’s about doing whatever makes YOURSELF happy.” – Unknown
48. “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to swim.” – Jon Kabat Zinn
49. “Stay close to that which produces fireworks inside of you.” – Hiral Nagda
50. “There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will.” – Epictetus
51. “The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy. It’s all that matters.” – Audrey Hepburn

Final Thoughts on Doing What Makes You Happy

It’s OK to put yourself first. To say no to unhealthy expectations, or unrealistic goals. And, instead, do things that make you happy.

Not happy to put up with, but happy in yourself. To put the focus on your well-being. And only walk in the sunshine, rather than in other people’s shadows.

If you’re looking for more inspirational quotes, be sure to check out these blog posts:

• 55 Confucius Quotes That Help You Succeed in Life Today
• 107 Quotes About Overcoming Adversity and Challenges in Your Life
• 67 Self-Reflection Quotes to Help You Grow as a Person

Finally, if you want to use these quotes to make a lasting change to your life, then check out and recite these 57 affirmations for success.