Are you just passing time?

Is happiness really a choice? 

2020 was a year filled with unexpected twists and turns, it was a year that urged you to constantly plan, pivot, and challenge perspectives, almost on a daily basis. 

The biggest challenge of 2020 (or arguably of life), was figuring out what it is exactly we wanted. Pre-pandemic it was far too easy to fill your New Years’ resolutions with arbitrary random goals and tasks. Do you even want that? Are you filling your life with pointless fodder? While we occupy the waiting room of life, ask yourself really, do you have time for that? 

So where do you begin, what does happy mean to you? Be honest… 

Question 1: What brings you light, life, and energy? 

You will most likely have already started spotting the things in your life that elevate you. This is not meant to be an exhaustive exercise. It’s in the food you eat, the programs you watch, the books you read. 

ACTION PLAN: Make a list 3 of the things you like, in no particular order. It can be a small as a particular brand of coffee that you like to drink in the morning, to something a little bigger like dedicating one afternoon a week to a nature walk. These are the components of your life that you can easily integrate into your routine, that will make a huge impact on how happy you feel. 

Question 2: How do you measure the quality of your relationships? 

2020 highlighted to many of us, something that we already knew but now hold with much higher regard. The truth is we simply get to share and experience people in our lives for seasons. Are you making the most of this season with your loved ones? 

ACTION PLAN: Now is a time to assess your relationships. Who do you wish you could spend more time with? How do you feel after you’ve spent time with your nearest and dearest? Who do you feel completely aligned with at this point in time? 

Question 3: What is your wellness routine?

Wellness is defined as an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. So having an appropriate wellness routine in place is the key to opening the gates of your happiness. 

ACTION PLAN: Jot down 3 tasks that you can commit to on a weekly basis that help to nourish you physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. If you cannot think of anything instantly. Experiment with different activities and see how they make you feel. Do you feel that you have more clarity? Do you feel relaxed? What is your posture like? These are all questions you should are yourself to determine, how you are taking care of yourself. 

Question 4: What would you do with your days if money wasn’t an option?

This is to challenge and push you to live the story of your dreams. It’s far too easy to get stuck in the mental trap of what you’re meant to do. When really, there is nothing you’re meant to do. You can enjoy the luxury of indulging in purpose at any point in your life, there is no age limit on doing what makes you truly happy.  

ACTION PLAN: You have 5 seconds, what would you do if money wasn’t an option? Make this completely applicable to you. Now, allow your mind to truly travel, to unpack, and to unfold your thoughts. Jot down where you ended up? 

Question 5: What are the aspects of your character that you enjoy the most?

Self-love doesn’t have to be complicated. I want to implore you to focus on the things you love about yourself. There is only and will only ever be one you. 

ACTION PLAN: List 50 things you love about yourself. Does 50 sound like a lot of things? … good, this is an opportunity to completely revel in what makes you, you. You will be with yourself for the rest of your days, so make sure you enjoy your company!