I just finished doing a workshop for AAA and it got me thinking… What makes you happy? Really, REALLY happy?
Like warm-fuzzy-in-your-heart-happy or jump-up-and-down-in-excitement-happy… or deep-in-your-soul-fulfilled-happy?
And now, get super honest with yourself – how often are you doing these things?
A client – we'll call her “Heather” – came to me depressed and wanting purpose. I asked her these simple questions to get started. “I love hiking and singing, but I can't hike because I have no one to hike with. I can't sing because I don't belong to a church.” Someone today told me that she loves cooking and writing, but doesn't have time to start her blog. In my F*Midlife Club, one woman has wanted to start doing yoga, but said she didn't have time with the kids. Another has always wanted to have a business, but has been afraid to start.
What are you not making time for? What are you making excuses about? Why are you holding yourself back from happiness?
If you're like most people, you feel guilty taking time off of family or work. Or you feel undeserving when you have so many responsibilities. Or you're afraid to fail.
I get it. It's so normal… and you can change.
A couple of years ago, I was speaking at a women's law conference about this very thing when a woman in the front row started tearing up and raised her hand. “I was bathing my daughter the other night,” she explained, “and staring at my phone the whole time.”
My heart broke. The room fell silent. Each of us knew exactly how she felt because we've all done it too.
But this season, I'm trying to do it differently. I'm taking my own medicine and forcing myself to do, say, and savor what makes me happy. I'm calling it #25DaysofHAPPY and every day I'm posting what makes me happy on Facebook.
Guess what? It's working! (Duh.) Forcing myself to make time for happy is making me happier. And pausing to savor and share it is making me even happier. 🙂
I know this may seem simplistic, but sometimes we need the reminder. As one woman said to me at the end of the workshop today, “I knew half of what you said, but I'm not DOING it.”
Here are a few things so far…. One thing that makes me over-the-moon-excited is speaking and I got to do that today – thank you AAA! PLUS, as I shared with you last week, I moved past my excuses and did a segment for TV (read the blog here)! It aired on Sunday and you can watch it HERE! And finally, I've felt lonely in our new neighborhood, for months I thought of hosting a block party, and I finally did it on Sunday! We threw it together in 4 days – I mean, how hard is wine and cheese? About 50 people came! So fun.
So what will you DO this week to make yourself HAPPY?
XO,
Carin
PS – If you don't know what makes you happy and need help, email me. We'll set up a 30 minute discovery call to explore and see how you can move forward!
PPS – If you're for big change to make your happiness happen, there are a few spots left in my my proven 4 month Sisterhood and Coaching Program, EMPOWERED. You will gain clarity on who you are and what you want. You will identify your heart's desires and take action on them. You will finally shed the old layers of guilt, shame and fear that have held you back. And you'll do it all in Sisterhood – the best way to ensure that you move forward on your dreams! Join us!! Email me for more info, or click here to join us now. Payment plans that make this around $250/month are available. Only a few spots left! XOX
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