May is “Mental Health Awareness Month.” Many people (even some of my family) may be unaware, but I struggle with constant bouts of depression/anxiety. I’ve been dealing with it for some time now, maybe 3 or 4 years. It’s really begun to reel its ugly head. I thought I’d take some time to share some inspirational advice for anyone who may be finding themselves to be a bit down, or lost. I hope this post serves as an inspiration or a foundation to becoming a better you.
Step 1
“Do more of what makes you happy.”
I spent a little of my downtime during this quarantine to do a little self-reflection and I asked myself, what do I want? The first thing that popped into my mind was “To be happy.” Was that response innate? Was it due to societies pressure of telling me happiness was the goal? I mean, I thought well I can’t be too weird, happiness is literally in the Declaration of Independence. The word is… but it doesn’t promise we will be happy. Lets have a looksie at our Preamble:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the PURSUIT of happiness.
A closer examination lead me to realize, they just said we have the right to PURSUE happiness. That doesn’t necessarily mean that we will find it. But nevertheless, I love a good challenge. The next thing I needed to do was ask myself, “Well Candra, what makes you happy?” And boy oh boy did that question baffle me. What does happy even mean?
happy hap-ee
adjective,hap·pi·er, hap·pi·est.
delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing:to be happy to see a person.characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy:a happy mood; a happy frame of mind.ANTONYMS FOR HAPPY
1. sad.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed. The word means MORE than “happy,” because happiness is an emotion often dependent on outward circumstances. “Blessed” here refers to the ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God.
Genesis 12: 2-3 says “You’ve been blessed to be a blessing to others.” I think that I can be blessed by figuring out what makes me happy and then by using what makes me happy to help other people!
Step 2
Figure out what makes you happy! I have a list of suggestions and questions to reflect on that may help you figure that out! They are not in order of importance, like…at all.
- What do you like learning about? Learn more and teach more !!! Think, what type of documentaries do you like watching? What type of books and articles do you like reading?
- What is your favorite activity? Do you like working out? Making things? They say a person should always have 3 different types of hobbies: one that makes your money, one that keeps your fit and one that hones your creativity.
- What did you like doing when you were a kid? What was your favorite way to pass time? Did you like playing basketball, but now your knees are bad so you can’t play? Do you have coaching opportunities or teaching opportunities you can use today to get you back into the game?
- Stop doing stuff that brings you down! Your job? Find a new one. Your friends? Cut them off, or talk to them less. Your boyfriend? Dump him!
- Spend some time by yourself… No phone, no internet, maybe some music and just think/reflect… its hard to hear yourself think when there is constantly noise in the background. You learn yourself a little better. Sometimes I can’t finish my runs and I’ll just sit down where I stopped and watch cars pass me by.
- When was the last time you were doing something and lost track of time? Probably doing something you like doing!
- Want a significant other? Place yourself in a position to be found or do some seeking. If all you do is work and go home, how will they ever find you??
- TREAT CHO SELF! ….sometimes..
STEP 3
Make a plan to incorporate those things that make you happy into your life! I like using the SMART goals. SMART is an acronym for Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Based. I like writing things down.
Specific: I want to be happy.. I figured out what that meant… and I decided its not happy that I want to be… but blessed. How will I know if I’m happy?
Measurable: If the definition of blessed is the ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God. How can I measure if I’m moving more towards a blessed goal? If my God is telling me that I’ve been blessed to be a blessing to others. How can I bless other people? If I want to bless people by helping them, how much am I helping other people? What kind of people do I want to help? How can I help people?
Attainable: I know I can be blessed. But its something that I have to work at everyday
Relevant: Following God’s instructions to the best of my abilities is a requirement for me to receive the Lords promise of ever lasting life. I’d say that makes it pretty freaking relevant to my life.
Time-Based: … yea I’ve got nothing here lol. I’ll let you guys know about this one.
It may sound cheesy.. but I think that by taking the time to reflect on what it is you want and why you want it, you are more likely to accomplish it. I have always been a goal oriented individual. I just feel like I am my happiest self when I am planning and accomplishing goals. Not really sure why I and others always feel like happiness is an exception to that rule.
What about you? What is your go to in order to get to the happy? I’d love to hear any of your suggestions, I’m always open to new ideas.
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