But it takes effort and man, we’re tired.
So rest up a little and then maybe even force this at first if you have to.
You might even be thinking happiness and pleasure are the same thing.
But often we think of happiness as this blurry, vague thing that we hope to achieve once we’ve gotten the degree or partner or family or dream job or bigger muscles or a smaller arse.
But happiness doesn’t just show up because we’ve checked all the boxes most of the time.
Hey, it might. Who am I to say?
Your experience is unique to you. But if happiness seems to remain elusive even after you’ve checked the boxes, I’m not really surprised.
Maybe instead of seeking ways to be happy, look for ways to experience pleasure.
It can take some thought, intention, and a little planning.
In life maybe it involves sunsets or sleeping in, or walks in the woods. Maybe it’s trying something new or catching up with someone who brings out the best in you.
At work it might start with managing, minimizing, or eliminating things that aren’t working. Yes, even things like your commute, shitty pay, terrible boss, or depressing environment. Maybe it’s even simpler like not engaging with the company drama. Maybe it’s using your company paid massage benefits. Maybe it’s letting yourself daydream about other work possibilities and allowing yourself to believe an unhappy situation is temporary.
Sometimes I’ll ask folks the last time they experienced pleasure and they have a little trouble remembering.
I get it. Life can be a lot. But as they say, you really do only get one. There’s no pressure (well, maybe a little). But could you maybe make a point to always have one thing on your calendar to look forward to?
Could you start with some small pleasures? Could ya?
Cause maybe, just maybe, that’s where happiness lives.
Booth Careers serves Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton, Milton, Waterdown, Mississauga and beyond (virtual services are available across the globe) by providing career counselling and coaching, job search and outplacement support to those who have lost their job, or are thinking about a change.
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