There are countless definitions of happiness, and each of us carries our own idea of what it means to feel truly happy. For most, happiness is a fleeting sense of bliss—precious, hard to attain, and easy to lose. It’s often tied to our desires, how we see ourselves and others, and how we interpret the events around us.
In recent years, I’ve started to question what happiness really means to me. What would it take to raise my baseline, to feel more at peace on a regular day? I came to a simple but powerful realization: being at peace with myself and feeling satisfied with how I spend my time is what makes me happiest. So I began making changes to align with that feeling.
First, I started peeling back my desires—examining which ones still held meaning, and which were just leftover ideas I picked up along the way. Some of them weren’t even mine to begin with. Letting go of outdated or unrealistic wants helped me feel lighter and more focused.
Next, I accepted that I can’t do everything at once. When I try, I spread myself thin and end up disappointed with half-finished efforts. So I stopped chasing productivity for its own sake and embraced a slower, more intentional pace. Now, I pick one meaningful task each day—just one—that I know will bring me joy or satisfaction. That simple shift changed everything.
Lastly, I chose movement—literally. I started walking more, whether to work or just to clear my head. I go to the gym when I can, and I’ve found ways to handle more from my phone so I’m not chained to a desk. These small changes made a huge difference to how I feel day to day.
At the end of the day, happiness is a choice. For me, that choice includes simplifying what happiness means, being genuinely grateful for where I am right now, and leaning on the tools that help—supplements, therapy, mindfulness, gratitude, and writing.
Choose to help yourself. Choose to be a little happier, day by day.
Cheers!