happiness really is a choice

And so is misery for that matter. Don't get me wrong, life can definitely throw us a pile of s*** and it can be miserable. But it's less to do with what life throws at us (bc we can't control that) and more to do with how we react to it. It's in the story we tell ourselves -- truly. And what do I mean by that? Well, pretty much as it sounds. If we say to ourselves we're miserable and also focus on the parts that back up that misery we will be miserable, or tired, or stressed, or without time, etc. But if instead, we say how we'd rather feel and then we take moment to step back and recognize one or two shifts we could make to be more in line with the more desired emotion -- well then you're getting somewhere.

One of the biggest things I've learned in my own personal journey is sometimes it's not just necessary but incredibly important to sit in your emotions -- whatever they are in that moment - and really revel in them. So if it's sadness, grief, anger, fear, or even happiness -- really allow yourself to feel what's happening. And ideally teach yourself to tap into those emotions and become more self aware of what's going on with you in that moment. Why are you feeling this way. I promise -- as uncomfortable as it may feel, there's learning to be had and if nothing else, you might find that by allowing yourself to feel for a little while before you know it the feeling could pass (if that's what's needed) or you'll see what it is that's driving the positive feeling and you can keep doing it. And that's truly the best (and the most healthy) way to overcome a crappy feeling vs the many ways we like to mask our feelings -- like with alcohol, sex, shopping, or worse off just flat out ignoring them.

So my point is, while I encourage you to get in touch with the story you're telling yourself to identify what you can shift so it's a more idealistic story for you -- don't overlook the step of sitting and knowing about the feelings that are driving that said story. And the broader point here -- it all really IS a choice, no matter what you're telling yourself today, tomorrow can be different. You just might need a little help stepping back and seeing your own big picture to recognize what's getting in your way and what simple shift or change you could make to be more inline with how you want your life to be. So if it's happiness that you're after -- let's help you find it, life is too short for anything but.