It seems like happiness has been all the rage lately- everyone is either happy or unhappy. There is no middle ground. I have had friends lose 20 pounds, get raises, and start families, and I have also had friends who cannot find a job, moved in with their parents, or ended relationships.
It feels like there are those two options, and that is all. We are constantly swarmed with social media posts about “my amazing SO” or “my trip to Italy” and we start to compare. How many times have you looked at someone else’s feed and thought, ‘Damn, she has everything’ ?
Just because it is common, doesn’t mean it should be. If you aren’t in a gooey relationship, you don’t have a trip to Europe planned, and you’re really just floating along, you’re not unhappy. Sometimes getting through the day is in and of itself a great accomplishment.
Comparison just breeds jealousy and hatred. That, I can say for certain is not happiness.
Personally, I’ve tried looking at things a different way. Finding the little things in life that make me smile, and calling that a “good day”. It could be a new flower on the sidewalk. A text from a loved one. Submitting work on time. An extra chicken nugget in the box.
Happiness has so many different definitions. It can be a fleeting feeling, a state of being, a once in a lifetime chance. Happiness can also depend on others, just as much as it depends on ourselves.
A lot of media and marketing is geared towards telling us what will make us happy. Buying this, traveling there, eating that. Maybe that works for you, and maybe it doesn’t. Buying into it is your choice, and there is nothing wrong with saying “that isn’t what is going to make me happy.”
I encourage everyone of you to find what makes you happy. If it happens to be trips and vacations, then great for you! If it is just brushing your teeth, then more power to you 🙂
So, what makes you happy?
A Travel Date With Laura Kate 