The Truth about Happiness
“ I just want to be happy…”
This is a quote I can take from any number of clients I’ve worked with over the years. My follow-up question to this is typically, “but what does happiness mean to you?”
Happiness has different meanings for everyone.
To me, happiness is many things: it’s watching my children create and get in flow while they listen to music. It’s taking a dip in the pool after a long, hot day. Happiness is cuddling and laughing at silly inside jokes with my husband after we’ve put the kids to bed. It’s sitting on the beach on a warm summer day, watching my family enjoy the sand and water.
Happiness is an emotion just like the rest of the emotions you feel in your body. Happiness is triggered by various moments, people, and connections.
But just like sadness, happiness is fleeting and doesn’t last forever.
Our culture focuses a lot on happiness and capitalism teaches us that with the purchase of a product, you too can experience the joy and happiness displayed by the actors in that TV commercial.
Our culture also teaches us that we can create happiness through achievement. Once you get that promotion, that degree, that license, you'll be comfortable and happy.
The truth is: none of those things will actually make you happy. They may trigger happiness in that brief moment, but it will soon fade and become your new normal. You’ll still wake up and have to deal with the same issues you had the day before you received that piece of paper.
Most people chase happiness because they have the misconception that it is a constant state. But you can never be happy all of the time, because without the dark there can be no light.
Therapy won’t make you happy.
Working through your relationship issues and trauma won’t make you happy.
What it will do is give you more capacity to feel happiness in those little moments that matter most.
Therapy teaches you how to sit with the hard emotions and ask what they have to teach you. A good therapist will show you that even in your darkness and pain, you can still be loved and accepted.
When you learn to welcome the waves of anger, grief, and pain in the same way you welcome happiness, you learn to love yourself more wholly and find true acceptance of yourself.
Self-acceptance and self-love may be what you’re actually looking for.
What brings you happiness? Hit reply and share with me, I love hearing from you!
If you realize you don’t have the capacity in your life to experience happiness, click the link below and schedule your free 15-minute phone consultation. We can't wait to help you create more space in your life for happiness.
