”You have the power to choose happiness. That’s an important thing to remember–especially when life gets tough. As psychologist Jordan Peterson explains, ‘Happiness is not something that happens automatically; it must be chosen and earned through effort and hard work.’ He goes on to explain that people often forget this fact because of all the external pressures in our world today: media messages, societal norms, and expectations for success are constantly telling us what we should be doing. But ultimately, you can decide how happy or unhappy you want your life to be by actively making choices–regardless of whether those decisions align with what others expect from you or not.
The concept of choosing happiness starts with understanding yourself better–what makes you truly feel joy? You can begin this journey by taking time each day–even just a few minutes–to reflect on your thoughts and emotions without judgement or expectation (other than simply trying your best). Explore who you are as a person–why do certain things make sense while other things seem out-of-sync? How do these dynamics fit into the larger picture of family, friends, career paths, etc.? Taking time for self-reflection is an essential step towards understanding yourself better, so that eventually (when faced with difficult decisions) instead of feeling lost in chaos, you can confidently move forward knowing which direction will bring about true satisfaction within yourself before following anyone else’s advice or expectations.
Next come action steps–once you understand how different aspects impact one another in terms of achieving personal fulfillment, commit to some actions towards identifying and achieving goals. This could mean anything from tackling small tasks like journaling regularly, engaging more closely within relationships and conversations which interest us, but also speaking up more forcefully when necessary. It could also involve larger changes, such as changing careers altogether if current employment no longer serves any purpose beyond filling hours and collecting paychecks. Ultimately, it does boil down to making active, conscious decisions daily towards creating change sustainably over a long-term timeframe and designing a lifestyle accordingly going forward, rather than living under someone else’s premeditated ideas about ‘happiness’. It takes courage, but once courage has been summoned, progress comes naturally thereafter!
Furthermore, making good use of both inside and outside environments leads to immense insight into finding contentment–spending quality alone time helps nurture inner peace, while interacting constructively amongst peers gives opportunity to learn skills such as communication and problem solving, etc. Both areas are invaluable tools required for experiencing maximum psychological wellbeing for future endeavours! Additionally, setting some boundaries may help too–if the need arises, separate oneself temporarily away from sources of negativity, or energy-draining activities–i.e. unsubscribing from emails, newsletters, or reading too many news articles, etc. Doing so ensures that depleting mental resources are solely focused upon constructive projects, which brings much greater dividends regarding the overall state of mind!
The choice rests entirely upon the individual–you…only you have the power to determine the level of satisfaction you receive in life. Life has testing times indeed, but learning to adapt efficiently to evolving circumstances is the key to staying afloat in such conditions. Happiness is a potential outcome of being proactive in beating the odds and having an adventurous spirit, tapping into your talents to develop them fully and meaningfully. It takes dedication and responsibility in harnessing every moment in an optimal fashion to find balance, coupled with a bit of luck! So go forth bravely, strive to overcome obstacles, seize the opportunities that come your way, and reap the rewards rewardingly in manifesting your innermost desires in blissful ways!!”
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, you should always consult with a physician or other qualified health-care professional. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this information. The contents of the website are provided for informational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Guest Post by Stephanie Hampton