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Should I Be Searching for Happiness?Happiness is something that everyone wants to reach, of course. But, what if we told you that it isn’t the most important thing? Happiness is fleeting. It’s something that comes and goes. Joy and meaning, however, are long-lasting things that we should be striving for!

The Secret

We’ve shared our secret: happiness shouldn’t be your goal in recovery? Happiness can be momentary, coming from materialistic things that don’t truly bring lasting joy and meaning. Joy, unlike happiness, is a lifelong state of mind — not a fleeting emotion. Joy is sustainable and, when we search for it, we are searching for meaning.

There is no real secret to happiness, and that’s the secret we should be engraining in us and our recovery. If you’re focused on the wrong thing, you’ll never find that lasting joy you deserve. Joy and meaning are how we thrive. That’s the secret.

Finding Meaning in Your Recovery

Instead of searching for happiness, we should be searching for meaning. Meaning brings sustainable joy. We’ve all heard the saying that money cannot buy happiness, and it’s true! It doesn’t matter what kind of car you drive, what kind of home you live in, or even the amount of money in your bank account.

If you don’t have meaning in your life, you will never be truly joyful. Meaning is found in our beliefs, values, and the connections we have with others. Joyful people are kind people. They are generous people. They are connected people. This is what you should be striving for, not momentary happiness. If you are just searching for the key to happiness, you’ll find yourself ill-equipped to deal with setbacks in your recovery.

In searching for joy and meaning, you should be searching for activities and connections that further your beliefs and values. Instead of doing things for the sole purpose that you think you will find happiness in them, do something because it aligns with your beliefs and values. Doing this will bring you greater joy and a sense of connection you could never imagine.

Think about what relationships you want to build and what you want your life to look like. Ask yourself what you would do if you knew your days were numbered. How would you be great in those final days? Live your life like there’s no tomorrow. That is what is meaningful.

Focus on the Little Things

Instead of looking for quick thrills that bring you extensive amounts of momentary happiness, find joy in the little things that keep you rooted in the present moment. Making sure you’re practicing mindfulness is a great way to keep focusing on the meaning in your life.

Little things like noticing the taste of your coffee or the sound of great music can bring some joy in your life and help you be more mindful of what’s going on around you. This helps you find positivity in your life in the simplest moments.

Be Present

To be more present, you can practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, exercise, journaling, and so much more. Anxiety can fester when you are too focused on the past or the future, so it’s important to help settle your mind and focus on the now. Paying attention to how you are feeling in the present moment helps you notice the joy and meaning in your life.

It helps remind you that you are not your thoughts and feelings. You are you. Your thoughts and feelings come and go, but who you are remains unchanged. In this way, you’re able to observe what happens to you, good or bad, and refrain from staying tethered to the jerky up and down of life. You’ll be able to recognize what joy feels like when you appreciate the meaningful things in your life.

Setting Intentions

Setting intentions in the morning is a great way to help ground yourself for the day ahead. By starting each day with intentions, you’ll be able to set the tone for the day and know what you want to accomplish. Asking yourself what you want out of the day helps keep you focused on your goals and moving forward to them.

Besides goal setting, living with an intention in mind is a great way to feel healthy, connected, and purposeful. Ask yourself how you intend to be healthy, connected, and purposeful, then you can work toward those goals and take actions that will further your joy and meaning. Intentions help you to appreciate your life even more because you are working hard at being your best self!

The Guest House wants to help you find joy and meaning in your recovery from the trauma that has happened to you. We want to help you deal with the aftermath of that trauma, whether it be mental illness or addiction. We can help you get to be the person you want to be. Instead of searching for happiness, we can teach you how to live a life full of joy and meaning. Call us today at (855) 372-1079. We can’t wait to speak with you and get you started on your recovery journey today. You won’t be disappointed in what we have to offer. Call us now!