FeelingGoodWithSofy

Do you think happiness is a choice or something we must earn, like a job salary? There is not exactly a handbook for being happy and satisfied with life, despite the countless studies on the matter. Of course, you can buy books on how to find joy, but reading is not enough; we can’t just ‘study’ the pages and then suddenly be happy. If only it were that easy. Real happiness often comes without expectations; it’s about being comfortable with who you are and falling, bit by bit, in love with life. But what if you are not happy?

The High Cost of Living (Happily)

If we view happiness as something to be earned, then we must also think about its tax. In a world that expects constant growth and evolution, feeling genuinely happy has its own cost. Money does not buy happiness; it’s what we have within—our values, feelings, and thoughts—as well as the the experiences we have and the company we keep that dictate our inner wellbeing. It can feel as if when you’re happy, you’re ‘rich,’ and when the reverse is true, you’re ‘poor.’

Many of us feel unhappy for many reasons; it could be everything from disliking yourself, your job, or perhaps your current situation, to a mental illness making your life much harder to enjoy. In fact, there are countless reasons behind an unhappy face, and it’s challenging when a person can’t seem to fully engage with life.

Given how steep the price of peace can be, how can we begin to accumolate this inner resilience without exhausting ourselves in the process?

Small Steps at a Time

Answering the question I posed above: in my opinion, happiness cannot be reached instantly. It isn’t like having a wand and watching everything get brighter and lighter after a spell; it doesn’t work that way—at least, not from my point of view. It’s about taking those scary steps, especially at the beginning when everything feels so overwhelming. Take it step by step, one task at a time; congratulate yourself for being willing to try, even if the smile is not there yet. It’s important to acknowledge that it will take time. Whether that is a little or a lot, I don’t know—everyone’s story is different. I know that mine will take a while.

Happiness Isn’t a Destination

Another crucial reminder is this: don’t wait to be happy. Learn to walk—or even crawl—and learn to be patient with yourself, knowing that happiness isn’t a destination, but rather a process. I understand it can be incredibly difficult to accept that, but with time, you can begin to appreciate the steps you decide to take. Along the way, learn to set boundaries so you don’t become too drained; otherwise, you limit your own capacity to feel joy and emotional satisfaction.

Final Words…

If we return to the question of whether happiness is a choice or something which must be earned, perhaps the answer lies in how we define the meaning of happiness itself. Your perspective may be entirely different from someone else’s. One person might be simply grateful and happy to have a loving, supportive family by their side, while another finds joy in the success and financial rewards of their dream job.

Happiness is truly a journey. Some days, you’ll feel like ‘earning your happiness’ is an incredibly difficult process; at other times, it could feel like a finished project; and still other times, it is simply choosing to stay kind to yourself when you’ve hit rock bottom.

Happiness is not only for ‘some’; it’s for everyone. Even if it’s a long road ahead, don’t give up! ❤️

Post not sponsored