Happiness: Trials, Tribulations & Self Reflections. Are You Happy?
…Because I’m happy…well not always, but the tune from Pharrell’s catchy melody “Because I’m Happy” is like a nationwide anthem for us to remind ourselves that no matter what’s going on, we’re going to be happy.
Like everyone else, I have days where I’m moody, easily agitated, and sometimes unhappy. Sometime last year, I went through a stage in life where I felt unsure about what I wanted to do and where I am at in life. Then suddenly I just felt overwhelmed with all these emotions and anxieties. These anxieties lead to stress, which lead to insomnia, followed by weight loss, then it all came rushing down to feeling the blues. Suddenly those every other day trips to Molly Stone to pick up my favorite chocolate chip muffins were no longer a desire and I can hardly keep up with the things I once loved. At first I thought it was just my “monthly friend” screwing with my emotions but these feelings lasted for a few months. Could it have been one of those quarter-life crisis that I have been hearing about?
Eventually I managed to pulled myself out of the little black hole before it buried me alive. I know, crazy huh? So, what did I do?
ACCEPTANCE
Trials and tribulations – not getting what we want when we want it and letting go on terms we can’t control. Disappointments, rejections and loss are the universe’s way of helping us grow and allowing us to learn from the past, appreciate the present and prepare us for our future. The quicker we realize that, the sooner we can move on.
GET ORGANIZED
This is the time to collect our thoughts, clean our house and remove clutter from our space! Who and how we spend our time can influence our mood, career, finances, and relationships.
INVESTMENT
Invest in people who loves you and truly care about you. Surround yourself with close family members, good friends and those who will help you celebrate life’s successes and support you in difficult times. And most importantly, don’t forget to spend time with yourself…which takes me to the next.
DO THINGS YOU ENJOY
Whether it’s shopping, painting, cooking, hiking, shopping, dancing, shopping again, reading, going to dinner, movies, helping your community with charity work, or shopping online :). DO WHAT YOU LOVE. It’ll keep you busy, free your mind from unwanted thoughts and who knows, you may meet interesting new friends along the way.
HELL YES YOU CAN BUY HAPPINESS
Look, if a pair of shoes or that pretty sparkly new dress makes you happy, then by all means, buy it. But don’t let it sit in your closet and collect dust! Studies suggested that if you look good you will feel good! So get dressed up, grab a couple good friends and enjoy an evening out of the house!
DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM BAD COMPANY
You’ve probably heard the term, “misery loves company,” well it’s true. We all know a person (or two) who is not very happy with their life and they love for any opportunity to get us to join their crew. During this time of vulnerability, it’s probably best to distance yourself from people who are negative, pessimistic, and who may give you bad advice or pressure you in doing something you may regret later.
LIVE FOR TODAY
Nothing is promised. What we have today may be gone tomorrow. So don’t postpone what makes you happy by waiting for a day when your life is less busy. That day may never come. Don’t dwell on the past, but similarly, don’t dream about an idealized future that doesn’t exist. Instead, look for opportunities to savor the small pleasures of everyday life.
HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE
Happiness doesn’t just land on our front door one day, it is a choice we make everyday. For example, learn a new skill, take up cooking classes or reprogram our values and beliefs. Choose to be in environments and around people that makes us happy. We can’t be happy unless we choose to make happiness among our top goals in life.
DON’T FORGET
…You deserve all that you want in this world!! Seriously, you do. Sometimes you’ll get it through your own mastery and hard work, other times you’ll get it when you least expect it. The journey is never a detour; it’s just a way to build up your momentum and strength for the road that lies ahead…So brace yourself when the road gets bumpy, strap on a helmet, and keep moving forward.
And so, I write this (so randomly at 2AM) to say that when times are tough on your heart + head, believe & trust that whatever darkness and disappointments you are going through, you will survive….Learn from yesterday. Live for today. Hope for tomorrow.
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P.S. I haven’t really written anything on my blog in a while because I have been so busy with work but tonight, despite the crazy hour, I choose to do what used to make me really happy. Write! :) I hope you enjoyed this!
If you have any tricks of your own on how to maintain your sanity, please share! :)
Here are two of my favorite past entries:
Sticks and Stones: Body Image and the Mean Girls
Maximum Effort: So, What Makes a Blog Successful?
xo, K
-Photos by NR-
Beautifully written from a beautiful girl inside and out. Love this post as we all go through struggles and people sometimes just see the shiny happy things. Keep doing you!
Jen recently posted…Tropical findersKEEPERS
Thank you for sharing all of your positive thoughts. I love when bloggers get up close and personal because it lets us know that we are not perfect people. We struggle to find our niche in this world and when we find our happy place, it’s a beautiful thing. Reading this made think more and more about why I started blogging and what I need to do to get where I want to be with all of my life goals and career plans. I don’t know you personally, but I feel that you and I have so much in common. I feel like I can connect with you when I read your blog. You are one of my favorite bloggers, and truly inspirational. Keep up the good work! : )
Evelin recently posted…Peaches & Cream
I love when you write posts like this. It’s so important to remember all the reasons we have to be happy, although sometimes we cannot get what another person has we are still not living in a third world country and are a starving child. I think it’s important to remind ourselves of these things and to stay humbled. Posts like this are my favorite on blogs, spiritual, uplifting and a positive message. I love that underneath all your fabulous clothes, perfect hair and inside those killer shoes is a real, intelligent role model of a woman, keep em comin, fan for life.
Molli-Dae
With Truth Comes Greatness
Verity recently posted…Beach Bum
Great post! All so true! I agree; life is too short not to be happy. I choose to be happy! Have a wonderful weekend!
~Chinelo~
http://www.mystyleoasis.blogspot.com
Chinelo recently posted…“BEAN There, Done That!”- My Chicago Trip Photo-Diary
YES!! I so agree and love this!
I love this, thanks for sharing and taking the time and effort top write this!
THIS right here is why I love you! Beautiful, down to earth and you keep it real. Thanks for sharing. I love your and your beautiful positive outlook on life! Keep shining boo!
I love this post and love your beautiful smile! I know this post is not really fashion-related but can you let me know where your bracelet is from? I love em! XO
Thanks for sharing doll! I can totally relate to this. Last year I lost my job and it was the hardest time for me. Being a single mom and having to take care of things on my own, I had to work 3 jobs to make enough money to pay rent, bills and feed my kids. All I did was work and I became depressed because I felt so unhappy with where I am at in my life and regretted my past decisions to not go to school. I think if I did, I may have gotten a better job, etc. etc. and things may have turned out different. After a while (long story short), I realized I am ok. I mean I have two beautiful children who loves me so much and looks up to me. Finally realizing that I can be happy if I decided I’m worth it changed a lot of things. I finally found one job that can pay the bills and now have more time to spend with my kids. Life is crazy and we just have to embrace it.
This is beautiful KT and you look fabulous!
May I just say you are the most positive, inspiring and hard working person I know! I really love this post, along with your other journal entries as well. Thank you for sharing and I really hope things are better for you now! Much kisses and love!
Wow, reading this really hit home for me. My husband of 12 years cheated on me with a younger woman and it seems like my whole world came crashing down. It actually did. I was depressed, couldn’t eat, sleep or get myself out of bed to do anything. I was like that for months. My friends and family were starting to get really worried but I just wanted to be alone. Finally one day, I woke up and decided that this is my life. I can’t let a man or anyone for that matter to drag me down like this. My life and my happiness and I am choosing to be happy! I got out of bed, made an appointment to get my hair and makeup done, went shopping, go on lunch dates with my girlfriends, went to the movies with my mom. I did things that I forgot to do for myself and it all helped. It’s been 9 months and I am feeling so much better now, especially about myself. Thank you for this post KT. It’s a good reminder to have, to know that we can choose happiness and that does not just land on our steps. I hope whatever you were going through, you are recovering. You always seems so positive and happy and I wouldn’t have never guessed. It comes to show that we all have issues in life and we are all human. Have a wonderful weekend my dear!
I love this post as I can relate to that blues feeling, not in the mood to do anything and feeling like I’m merely existing. Happiness is indeed a state of mind and so regardless of what life throws at me, I choose to be happy.
Great article.
So amazing!
I love this post!
-Adrienne. xo
Citizen of the World
Citizen of the World
Adrienne recently posted…Bright white!