The Paradoxical Path to Happiness
In a world where the common consensus urges us to think positive and achieve more to be happier, don’t overlook these counterintuitive paths to cultivating greater happiness.
Embrace All the Feels, Even the Bad Ones
Instead of working to stave off negative emotions, learn to embrace them. Accepting, rather than suppressing, uncomfortable feelings can lead to improved emotional health. By acknowledging challenging emotions like sadness, loneliness, anger or anxiety, you not only allow yourself to fully experience them, but you’ll see for yourself how self-limiting they often are — and you may be more inclined and take steps to address the root cause of your feelings instead of avoiding them. This can cultivate emotional resilience and a deeper understanding of yourself, ultimately leading to greater happiness
Prioritize “Worry Time”
If you’re always working to worry less, consider this alternative approach. Designate a specific time each day to focus intently on your worries and concerns. Set aside 15 minutes to contemplate your fears and anxieties. By confining worries to a particular time slot, you assert greater control over them and you can prevent ruminating from consuming your day and intruding on your thoughts at other times. This simple daily practice can help create mental boundaries, and allow you to focus more on the here and now.
Want Less, Not More
While our consumer-driven culture encourages the desire for — and accumulation of — material goods, more stuff does not usually equate to more happiness. In fact, hoarding is an extreme example of the exact opposite. Practice detachment from material possessions, embrace a more minimalist lifestyle and prioritize experiences, relationships and personal growth over material wealth, and you may find deeper satisfaction and greater joy in your daily life.
Be Wabi-sabi Happy
In a world that constantly pushes us to strive for perfection, embracing imperfection can be liberating. Wabi-sabi aesthetic, the Japanese philosophy and aesthetic, that celebrates the beauty of imperfection, brokenness and transience — and can serve as an inspiration for self-acceptance. Recognize that’s it’s okay to make mistakes (that’s how you learn) and find the beauty in your flaws and scars. By releasing the need to be perfect, you give yourself the freedom to grow, learn, and derive happiness in the process.
Follow The Road Less Traveled
Let your inner contrarian guide you down the unexpected path to happiness. You may find, like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz that if you ever go looking for your heart’s desire again you won’t have look any further than your own back yard.
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