HAPPINESS IS A TRAP. Stop the chase
STOP CHASING HAPPINESS.
Are You Stuck in the Happiness Trap?
Happiness isn’t a destination; it’s a direction. Stop chasing it as if it’s something you can one day "reach".
We all want more happiness—those moments of joy, excitement, and pleasure. We often believe that accumulating more of these highs will improve the quality of our lives. But in reality, this pursuit can set us up for disappointment and stress. These moments are fleeting and temporary. Chasing after a constant state of happiness is not only unrealistic, but it also overlooks the value of life’s contrasts. Every emotion, whether joyful or challenging, contributes to the richness of our experience.
Instead of striving for an elusive, unending happiness, we can shift our focus to building a practice of gratitude and acceptance. By embracing the present, as it is, we free ourselves from the pressure of "getting there" and start living more fully, right where we are.
We need to focus on the beauty of contrast. On the magic of the mundane and the bliss of what “is”.
PSS Steps:
How to Stop the “happy” chase
Step 1:
Explore what your beliefs ARE around happiness.
Why is this particular “feeling” (ie energy in motion) important to you?
What will it mean when you have it?
What does it mean to you if you don’t have it?
Who do you think does have it ?
If / when you get it, how long do you think you will keep it?
Is Happiness the same as Joy, Contentment and Satisfaction?
Step 2:
Recognise that Happiness is not a sustainable goal and start to challenge your existing beliefs around it, reframing what it IS to build a meaningful life.
**Not sure how to challenge your beliefs ?
Step 3:
Put this reframe into practice. Daily.
Start by setting 2-3 alarms a day ( more if you want but minimum three) to check in.
When the alarm goes off:
Stop and notice what the present moment offers. Enquire within yourself - her and can I accept and actually sit with complete contentment of exactly how this moment is right now
See and radically accept this moment with contentment and gratitude.
The PSS Process.
Recommended resources:
How to ACTUALLY Get Happier: The Science of Fulfillment: Arthur Brooks and Rich Roll
Happiness is a Shallow Goal: Jordan B Peterson