Happiness is something that we all want from ourselves. Being truly happy is the holy grail for so many of us, but like the holy grail, it often remains elusive. If despite your best efforts, you have yet to find lasting happiness, it could be time to start exploring WHY you feel the way you do. There are lots of reasons why we are not really truly happy and everyone is different, but here are some common issues that could be preventing you from reaching your happiness potential.
Not Loving What You Do
A VERY common cause of unhappiness in life is not doing what you want to do. Whether you’re stuck in a dead-end job when you really want to have a powerful career or you’re too scared to write that novel because you think it’ll suck, so you do nothing instead, not aligning your life with your true wants and desires can be a happiness killer. Of course, it’s not always easy to get that dream job or pursue that meaningful goal, but you can find just as much happiness working towards your dream as you can when you achieve it. Do what you really want to do and let happiness into your life.
Some Habits Deplete Happiness
The thing about bad habits is that they can often feel good. We often think that drugs and alcohol, evenings spent idly in front of Netflix or pursuing wrong person after wrong person are the things that make us happy… when in reality they are the toxic habits/addictions that are keeping us down and holding us back. Think about the things you habitually do and how happy they really make you and you might be surprised; you might decide that it’s finally time to check into that drug rehab center or switch your Netflix subscription for a gym membership, and you’ll be one step closer to lasting happiness. It’s really worth thinking about!
You Compare Yourself To Others
It has often been said that comparison is the thief of joy and there is a lot of truth to that. If you compare yourself to others, not only are you wasting your time, but chances are you are ruining your chances of happiness. We are all individuals and we all do things in our own time and way. Just because you think someone is doing better than you, doesn’t mean that’s really the case. Sure, they might have a better job, but what are their relationships like? Is their social media account the whole story? Probably not. Compare your progress to who you were yesterday instead of comparing yourself to others and you’ll be a whole lot happier, just you wait and see.
You Have FOMO
You may not have heard of this but FOMO, similar to the others, is the fear of missing out (FOMO). The official dictionary definition is FOMO is “anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.” It means you become anxious when you learn of good things happening for others and your not there or able to do them. You feel your literally missing out on life. As with most things of this nature it’s our thoughts that cause it and techniques such as CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) can help. Another tool that can help is EMDR. Read the post below to learn how to do this simple quick technique to help stop this emotionally painful thought process.
Free Yourself from Suffering in One Minute : Heal Depression & More (EMDR)
Being happy takes hard work and healthy habits, but you can do it! Just be the best “YOU” that you can be. Holding close to these few suggestions will give you breathing room again… and a real chance for happiness to once again be your normal state. Good luck!
