Today’s post is devoted to a topic that I think we could all use a little more of in life – happiness!
In the past, I’ve talked about how I struggled with embracing being sensitive when I was younger. Dealing with feelings that I wasn’t yet equipped to handle was overwhelming and would often get exhausting. Naturally, one feeling I always wanted to connect more with was happiness. There were so many times I wished that I could make the happy moments in my life last forever. But the moments would inevitably pass and I’d get lost in a sea of other, less enjoyable, feelings again.
Fun Fact: My name means happiness in Arabic so I’ve had a kind of special relationship with this word since the day I was born.
Ironic Fact: I was so busy chasing it, that I didn’t realize happiness was (literally) with me my entire life. A constant companion that I coudn’t recognize.
I spent years telling myself that “I’ll be happy when ‘xyz’ happens”. But every time I finally got the degree, or the job, or whatever else I wanted, the happy part would only last for a little while or it would be missing altogether. Maybe I hadn’t done enough to deserve it yet. I probably just needed to try harder and keep getting better. So I’d reassure myself that happiness would be at the next stop on my journey of aspirations. And I’d continue on this wild goose chase for a feeling that always seemed just a little bit out of reach. The cycle went on like this until about 6 or 7 years ago.
It was in my early 20’s that I started becoming aware of this pattern. There were so many blessings in my life, but I noticed how something always seemed to be in my way of being happy. And I began asking myself why. Why was I struggling to enjoy these blessings?
After some reflection and several conversations with mentors, I realized what was going on. I wasn’t giving myself permission to be happy because I was waiting. Waiting to feel like I was worthy enough. Waiting for everything to be perfect before I could finally relax and enjoy the happiness. There was just one problem.
Life is never completely perfect. That’s not how it works. BUT there are so many completely perfect moments. Moments of incredible beauty and (extra)ordinary miracles. We experience them everyday. But when we’re so caught up in what’s not perfect, it’s easy to miss all the things that are.
Coming to recognize that this mental block was the main thing standing between me and happiness helped me to start turning things around. Everything on the outside didn’t need to be perfect anymore. I wasn’t responsible for every little detail being settled before I could enjoy the daily blessings and moments of joy.
I can relax and appreciate a peaceful moment of quiet, some refreshing deep breaths, quality time with loved ones, and anything else that makes smile WHENEVER I want. And if I’m paying attention, there’s always something to be appreciated and enjoyed.
By letting go of the idea that everything needed to be perfect, I found the freedom to revel in life just the way it is.
Of course, there are those hard days when it feels nearly impossible to connect with anything happy. On those days, it’s honoring those other feelings that helps me to eventually find my way back to the feeling I want.
It’s ok to not be ok. Focusing on self-care and getting support is how to we can create the space to experience moments of happiness even on the tough days.
So, has anything been holding YOU back from happiness?
What is it?
Are you ready to stop letting it stand in your way?
Happiness is YOUR’S for the taking.
Will you take it?
Peace and blessings,
Hanaa
P.S. – Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uninspired by your life? Is there a challenge you’re facing or goal you’d like to work towards? If you’re ready to take a bold, true leap in your life, I can help you. Click here to schedule a FREE discovery session with me.