What is your ultimate definition of happiness?
Do you believe there is such a thing as ultimate happiness? Or are we constantly searching for something (i.e. the next best thing) which can make us feel happier and more fulfilled in life?
If someone what do ask you what does happiness feels and looks like? How would you describe to them?
Moreover, have you ever reached the stated of feeling fully content, or satisfied with your life?
Seeking happiness as an external source of fuel for one's soul:
There are millions of people right now searching for happiness as an external source and object which could potentially free them from their current lifestyle and make the feel happier. They are searching for the next best opportunity (i.e., shiny bright object); a job, relationship, new materialistic object, or change in environment/relocation to another country.
You find that most of us spend most of our lives chasing and looking for success. Unfortunately, by the time we reach and obtain dream goals we don't sustain levels of happiness for a prolonged period, before moving onto the next best opportunity or materialistic object.
There are social, cultural, economical and environmental pressures which influence people into believing that external factors will make them feel happier. Innovative and technologically advancing times, we are currently living in also make the notion of happiness a fleeting concept which is never fully appreciated to its fullest extent.
Case in example, is Digital and Social Media World where there is added pressure for most people to keep up with trends, in order to remain current. When people feel compelled and motivated by social or digital media influences to jump to the next best trend, there are most likely to not appreciate living in the moment, or recognize what it means to truly feel happy in life.
Globally, our 360 degrees of separation has become a narrow and closer concept, as we feel much closer to ease other more than ever before due to virtual media. The level of pressure has been advanced more, in relation to comparison, competition, envy and wishing for more than one has. People don't want to be seen as being left behind - fear of missing out.
As a result of all these external factors and social pressures, achievements are often short lived. It almost as though most people in popular social media has become a culture of its own where most people are living solely through adrenaline rush, which is fueled constantly by trends, in order for it not to dissipate.
Overtime, we have been made to believe that true joy and happiness comes from consumerism. You have to have the next thing in order to feel happier, whether it be having more money, power (influence), or materialistic things.
If you do not have these things, or qualities of success as everyone else (global population), it is perceived socially as though you are not succeeding in life. Or that you can't be fully happy and content with what you already have, until you have met everyone's else expectations and definition of happiness.
Happiness is not a place (external source which is intended to fuel to your soul);
- It does not come from another person, or external social and cultural influences.
- It does not come from escapism, or materialistic objects.
- It does not come from becoming more successful and acquiring all the riches in the world.
- Happiness does not come from being a Social Media Influencer, nor how many Followers, Likes or Comments you gain.
Ultimately becoming more successful will not make you happier. Success is not the reason you become happier. You make yourself happier by freeing mindset (self-limiting) obstacles which held you back from within from actualizing your greatest potential.
The prices of happiness comes at a high cost;
- The high cost of being confident in standing and in being unique away from social, cultural and economic pressures. It take moving beyond trend and being comfortable to be who you are. Or feeling confident to put your own spin/take on what it means to be trendy, without the added pressures of external influences.
- The cost entails having to sacrifice/give up some things, or distance yourself from people and certain lifestyle which do not align with your inner intuitive core. Especially people who not equally reciprocate the support you provide them, or who deplete your energy.
- Not a lot of people will understand your new way of being, as you may be moving against expected social and cultural norms, in order to obtain some level of your own happiness. Some people may feel as though you are abandoning them, because they were used to you being there to solve their problems. Or they were used to you being part of the what is perceived as "cultural or social norms."
- You may be perceived as being selfish for deciding to seek more inner peace and happiness. As you may have to change jobs, social environments and friendship/relationship, in order to appease your soul (self-care and self-love).
- More success can equate to being alone most of the time (not lonely) due to various factors. Progression means that something shifts in your life including relationships. Your network of influence and affluence is most likely to change and it may not necessary consist of who you are emotionally close to.
- The main reason you become happier and successful is because you trusted your intuition, to do things which work best for you, your well-being and life vision/purpose. This includes best efforts, commitment, and consistency in seeing your Life Vision Goals through.
The positives about obtaining a happier lifestyle;
- You become more consciously self-aware of when and how to be drawn into certain social environments (online/offline), in order to preserve your time, well-being energy and creativity resources.
- Being alone is a gold mine and does not necessarily mean you are lonely. It is more about how you value and utilize your "me time," for creativity, or to rejuvenate from social activities. It is much healthier to be able to spend some time alone, in order to remain connected with the inner authentic self and to reevaluate where you are in life. Also to assess whether you are still aligned with your true life vision and purpose.
- It is inevitable that as you grow as a person in terms of finding meaning, a purpose life and your true source of happiness, that the way you interact with some of your close friendship/social networks will change. This is not necessary a terrible thing.
"Some relationships are seasonal for a reason and are not meant to last for a lifetime."
My lessons learnt:
1.Being genuinely happy is feeling internally at peace with oneself (unconditional self-love). Although, this is not an easy goal for most of us to achieve, it is not an impossible actualize it. It takes long term personal development work including talking cures (therapy) in some cases to feel fully satisfied and content with one's life in the present.
2. Feeling free within oneself and from externally limiting factors and standards. Not feeling limited mindset wise by external expectations of who, how and what you should be.
Globally the world is becoming smaller due to us being more digitally connected, this means social pressures are mostly likely to be heightened on a wider scale. The disparity in difference is becoming narrower, to the point most people are looking and behaving in a similar fashion, due to Digital and Social Media cultural trends (i.e. Tiktok and Instagram).
This in itself can make it harder for some people to be their authentic and unique self without mass influence. There is also the fear of rejection if one doesn't not act or behave in a similar fashion as everyone else. If one is consumed by these expectations it can make much harder to free oneself and to feel fully content in life.
3. It is being able to express gratitude for all experiences in life. Learning the lessons. This is about being present in the moment; taking time to learn, appreciate and accept all lessons being presented.
4. It is about confronting the hard truths about oneself, in order to set oneself free from internal pain/life constraints.
Happiness comes through acknowledging what has occurred this includes life changing and challenging situations. By also accepting that happiness doesn't only mean experiencing happier times, or being externally successful in life.
Success comes from freeing oneself from internal mindset constraints, which have been holding you prisoner for life from being who are truly intended to be in this lifetime. Materialistic successes are secondary to freeing oneself from within.
Does becoming successful make your happier?
Is the cost of being alone (not lonely) worth it when it comes to seeking the success and the Entrepreneurship lifestyle? Yes it is for most for creative entrepreneurship. Pursuit of happiness is one of the motivating reasons most of us leave traditional work patterns, in order to seek freer lifestyles away from feeling restrictions/limitations of social and professional pressures.
Most creative people do not fear being alone, as this provides them the space to tap into their inner authentic self, to be more productive without distractions, or influence from external sources. As creators we are most likely to produce the best work as a result of being alone. Some of us are also most likely to feel happier and content as a result of being in space which helps us connect to our true authentic self.
You are also most likely to take more risks, the more freer you feel internally. You ultimately free yourself from self-limiting beliefs (i.e., self-sabotage tendencies).
If you fear being alone most of the time, it is most likely you are fearful of remaining with your true self. As this could potentially mean having to feel, or sit through some things which you are not ready to explore yet about yourself. You are most likely to seek external sources to fuel your sense of happiness.
Ultimately, you are the true definition of what true happiness and success looks like: To end materialistic things, relationship are temporary and fleeting. The only constant source of happiness is within you. You are the source and fuel of your own happiness. Happiness comes from within, no matter where you go and who you are with.
To end, happiness success is not an external source defined by others – of what it should look and feel like for your. – You create your own definition from within of what it feels like to you - you define and measure success and happiness by the freedoms you let yourself experience without mindset limitations. It is about push through and beyond those internal voice which are screaming at you do something, which connects authentically with your soul.
Note to self - My perceived "weaknesses and impairments,” are my greatest strength and freedoms to potentially unlocking happiness and success.
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Educational Resources:
- Discover Why It Is Essential To Start Your Online Business With A Clear Life Vision and Purpose. with the support of my Mentorship Online Course.
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