Have you fallen into the trap of telling yourself, “I’ll be happy when…”? It’s a crazy idea to live your life with the idea that happiness must be on hold until something specific happens.
Some common endings to “I’ll be happy when…” are:
When I lose weight
When I retire
When I find a partner/ get married
When I have made enough money
Leaving your happiness on hold until something specific happens means you are choosing to live in an unhappy state. The truth is you can choose to be happy now.
Despite your circumstances, you can still find happiness – with friends, family, the little things.
Most people have a list of things they want – money, a relationship, a house, car etc. What happens though when you get those things, you don’t suddenly live happily ever after. It doesn’t work that way. Usually the list still has others things on.
Stop putting your happiness on hold and choose to be happy now irrespective of what you don’t have yet. Learn to take pleasure in the simple things. Learn to happy within your own skin. Work on yourself and your ‘inner world’ rather than looking externally for that elusive feeling called happiness.
You really have more control over being happy than you realise. When you have a good relationship with yourself, you’re on the right path to more consistent happiness.
MandyX
Photo by Marc-Olivier Jodoin on Unsplash
Author: Mandy Kloppers
Mandy is a qualified therapist who treats depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, trauma, and many other types of mental health issues. She provides online therapy around the world for those needing support and also provides relationship counselling.
