December 4th, 2024

Creating My Own Happiness, One Step at a Time

Hey friends,

Let’s talk about happiness for a second.

You know how much I enjoy quotes, and I got one from Dalai Lama, and it hit me in the best, most uncomfortable way:

“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”

Oof, right? Like, how dare he call me out like this? Because honestly, there have been so many times when I’ve sat around waiting for happiness to just show up.

You know what I mean. That feeling of thinking, “Once I get that job, or move to that place, or fix that thing in my life, then I’ll be happy.” But the truth is, happiness doesn’t come wrapped in a shiny bow, ready to be handed over once life looks perfect. And trust me, I’ve tried waiting for it—it doesn’t work.

Here’s what I’m learning, though: happiness isn’t something you find—it’s something you build. And for me, building it has been all about the little things.

Some days, it looks like taking care of my body—choosing to drink water instead of coffee (okay, maybe after the coffee) or moving my body even when I’d rather scroll on TikTok. Other days, it’s making progress on my goals, even if it’s just a baby step. Like figuring out how to create a stable income that not only pays the bills but also gives me the freedom to live the life I want.

And let me tell you, it’s not always glamorous. Sometimes it feels like slogging through mud—messy, exhausting, and anything but fun. But then there are these moments, tiny flashes of clarity, where I realize that all these small actions are adding up. They’re creating something that feels solid, something that feels like me.

The thing about happiness is that it doesn’t come from the big, life-changing events. It comes from showing up for yourself in the everyday moments. Like choosing to have that difficult conversation instead of avoiding it. Or deciding to laugh at yourself when something doesn’t go as planned. Or even just sitting with a cup of tea and giving yourself permission to be.

And it’s not perfect, by the way. There are days when I forget to “choose happiness” and end up frustrated or overwhelmed. But you know what? That’s part of it too. Happiness isn’t about being cheerful 24/7—it’s about learning how to keep moving forward, even on the hard days.

So, here’s where I’m at: I’m still figuring it out. I’m still learning how to create happiness for myself, one small action at a time. And it’s not easy, but it’s worth it. Because the more I take responsibility for my own joy, the more I realize how much power I actually have.

What about you? What’s one small thing you’ve done recently that made you feel a little happier? Maybe it was something tiny, like texting a friend, or something big, like finally starting that thing you’ve been putting off. Whatever it is, I’d love to hear about it. Let’s talk in the comments or send me a message—I’m here for it.

Thanks for being here with me and for sharing this journey of figuring out happiness together. We got this.

Until next time,
Marjoly 🌿