• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Seeking Joyful Simplicity

Your best life after 40 - living with purpose and vibrant health. Empowering you with a holistic approach: nourishing foods, herbal remedies, and self-care to reduce overwhelm, manage your weight, and enjoy vibrant health in your 40's, 50's, and beyond.

  • Home
  • About
  • Simple Food
  • Healing Herbs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Living with Purpose

Letter to Myself – Stop Putting Off Happiness

8:04 am by Seeking Joyful Simplicity 11 Comments

Letter to Myself – Stop Putting Off Happiness

 

Stop Putting Off Happiness

 “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

Why is happiness and contentment so elusive? Why, even when we accomplish our goals, or get what we want, do we so quickly find ourselves feeling unhappy, restless, and discontented? How do we stop putting off happiness for later, and what is the secret to being happy now?

Are you guilty of waiting to be happy?

Maybe you will find happiness when you get a new job, lose some weight, or have more self-confidence. Whatever it is, if you always look toward tomorrow for happiness, chances are you will do the same when you attain what you’ve been dreaming of.

I know, because this is exactly what I do – whenever I achieve something important, I start looking for the next thing to make me happy. And I’m not just talking about stuff.

I am finally realizing this is not a healthy way to live, and honestly, I am sick and tired of chasing happiness.

Enough is enough. I am giving myself a good firm talking to, and here is my letter to myself. If you are in the habit of putting off happiness, maybe this will help you too.

Stop Seeking and Start Being Happy Now

Dear Michelle,

There comes a time when you have to stop seeking and just be. The joy and contentment you seek is already available to you. Instead of seeking joyful simplicity, learn to discover the joy already present in your life. 

You don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect. YOU don’t have to be perfect.

Life is messy, complicated, and sometimes really, really hard. Sometimes you screw up. But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve happiness.

And you know from experience, even in the worst of times, there is beauty, grace, laughter, and joy to be found.

So why can’t you find the beauty and joy every day?

Michelle, let me gently remind you how to stop putting off happiness so you can enjoy being happy now.

Pay Attention

Pay attention. When you pay attention, you notice the simple, wonderful, incredible things in your life. And trust me, they are there.

It’s the ordinary moments – your children sharing patience and kindness with each other; the gentle hum of summer crickets; the way your coworker went out of her way to help someone; the late afternoon light shining across the table; the simple meal shared at the family table. These are the simple moments that make up a beautiful, joyful life.

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” – William Morris

 

Why are we so quick to feel restless and unhappy, even when we get what we want? How do we stop putting off happiness for later, and what is the secret to being happy now?

 

Let Go

Let go. Take a deep breath Michelle, and relax. Everything does not have to be perfect. You do not have to be perfect. You will always make mistakes, feel vulnerable, and sometimes life will be hard and painful, and things will definitely not go your way. But that’s okay, because you can handle it. You know you can. So just let go – of your fear, your disappointment, and your worry.

“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – Allen Saunders

 

Remember Gratitude

Feel gratitude. Remember to pause and consider all that is right in life. The good health, the good people, and the beauty in your life. Don’t forget these things Michelle! They are a part of you, and the only way not to take them for granted is to remember. Feel gratitude every day.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”  – Oprah Winfrey

 

Slow Down

Stop hurrying and decide to enjoy the process. There will always be more meals to cook, dishes to wash, weeds to pull, and laundry to clean. Joyful living doesn’t just happen in the in-between moments. So you might as well learn to enjoy the process. Slowing down and living joyfully is easier than you think.

 “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

 

Stop Being So Hard on Yourself

It’s time to stop being so hard on yourself. You are good enough, just as you are. You can be both amazing and a work in progress all at once. Don’t be afraid to live vulnerable, forgive yourself for your mistakes, and celebrate your strengths.

“We have to learn to be our own best friends because we fall too easily into the trap of being our own worst enemies.” – Roderick Thorp, Rainbow Drive

Why are we so quick to feel restless and unhappy, even when we get what we want? How do we stop putting off happiness for later, and what is the secret to being happy now?

 

The Trap of Putting Off Happiness

This is it, Michelle. Time to stop falling into the trap of putting off happiness.

Happiness isn’t about having all the pieces in just the right place. It isn’t about living a simple, problem-free life, or reaching a certain goal.

Being happy is not a selfish or naive way to move through life – being happy makes you more resilient in the inevitable tough times, and helps you help others.

Happiness is available in so many ways, and it starts with changing your mindset.

So do it. Change your mindset.

 

Wishing you peace and happiness,
~ Michelle

 

Filed Under: Health and Wellness, Living with Purpose Tagged With: being happy now, stop putting off happiness

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jennifer @ Enjoying Our Days says

    at 10:21 am

    These are great things to remember. I tend to live my life from crisis to crisis, and I forget to just be happy.

    Reply
    • Seeking Joyful Simplicity says

      at 1:35 pm

      I used to live that way (and ended up with adrenal fatigue and thyroid issues). Remember to take care of yourself mama!

      Reply
  2. Ngumabi says

    at 6:27 pm

    That’s a good letter
    I will take this advice myself
    Thanks for sharing these great points
    I love your blog too

    Reply
    • Seeking Joyful Simplicity says

      at 7:53 pm

      Thank you for the kind words! And we all need a little self-care, love, and happiness don’t we?

      Reply
  3. Gaye @CalmHealthySexy says

    at 11:28 am

    Visiting from the EBA Facebook group. Your blog is beautiful and the content is wonderful. I really love this – You can be both amazing and a work in progress all at once. So, so true. Keep it up – you are doing great.

    Reply
  4. Rebecca Forstadt Olkowski says

    at 8:20 pm

    What wonderful advice and reminder not to put off happiness because it’s all around you.

    Reply
    • Seeking Joyful Simplicity says

      at 12:03 pm

      Thank you for your comment Rebecca.

      Reply
  5. Kathy says

    at 8:13 pm

    Michelle, you have so much wisdom. I love reading your posts. So inspiring and motivating. Of all the people who have come and gone in my life you are so special. We may live far apart bit you are close to my heart always.

    Reply
    • Seeking Joyful Simplicity says

      at 4:40 pm

      Thank you Kathy. You were a big part of my life during a very rough time. Your support and your humor guided me and kept me going.

      Reply
  6. Burnetta Bennett says

    at 9:24 am

    Grabbing those special things that come our way. Stopping and acknowledging them. That is the key. This morning I was looking out my back window and suddenly a gorgeous red fox came into view. It was leaping on feather soft feet across the perfectly smooth snow that had fallen last night. I watched till he slipped into the cover of our woods. That was my gift this morning.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Anxiety and Overwhelm, Discover Your Strengths says:
    at 2:55 pm

    […] Seeking Joyful Simplicity – Stop Putting Off Happiness […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

logo
Food Advertisements by

Hello and welcome! Seeking Joyful Simplicity is about creating space in your life for the things that matter most - abundant health, joy, and contentment. With a holistic approach focused on self-reflection, simple foods, and herbal support, I offer a practical approach to living with purpose and vibrant health. Want to learn more? Start here…

logo
Food Advertisements by

Featured Posts

How to Use Roses as Food and Medicine – 6 Rose Recipes

These five ways to beat the winter blues won’t magically make you happy, but they will help you enjoy better health and a better mood this winter.

Beating the Winter Blues

Setting personal boundaries

You Can’t Change Others, So Change Yourself – Setting Personal Boundaries

As moms, we are expected to do it all and do it well. Our days can pass in a blur as we struggle to manage our home, attend to the never-ending needs of our children, and find the time to recharge ourselves. Over time this becomes discouraging, and it wears us down. But there is a way to create a more peaceful and productive home, and that is through discovering a family rhythm.

Enjoying a More Peaceful and Productive Home

What can be more uncomfortable than breaking out in a sweat at any random moment? If you suffer from hot flashes, you are certainly not alone. Approximately 75% of women experiences varying degrees of hot flashes, sometimes mild, sometimes radical. There are many natural remedies that can be effective for relieving hot flashes, and herbal teas for hot flashes are one of the simplest ways to stop the heat. #hotflashes #midlife #menopause

Lemon Balm Recipe – Lemon Balm Cookies

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Herbal Academy Courses

Learn Herbal Medicine

The Craft of Herbal Fermentation Course by Herbal Academy

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Contributor at the Homestead Bloggers Network
logo
Food Advertisements by

Footer

Disclaimer and Disclosure

The information provided here is not intended to replace professional medical advice and care. It is simply my perspective for you to consider as you make good choices for you and your family’s health. The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and maintaining health. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care. The information provided has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not meant to diagnose any disease, nor is it intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Seek the support and care of a physician and/or complementary care practitioner you trust, and above all, listen to and trust in yourself. Be well!

Seeking Joyful Simplicity is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Amazon offers a small commission on products sold through their affiliate links. Each of your purchases through their links supports us at no additional cost to you.

For more information – visit our privacy and disclosure page

Copyright © 2021 · Wellness Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in