Happy Happy...
I’m fascinated by happiness, and knowing what shapes it makes me even happier. Relax your jaw—yes, it helps! 😊
I wasn’t exactly the happiest child growing up. Smiling? Rarely. And if someone touched my cheeks? Tears—guaranteed. Maybe that’s where my fascination with understanding happiness started. Or maybe it’s just something I’ve been drawn to over time.
I’ve always been curious about human behaviour (which basically means myself 😉). Right now, I’m exploring a HarvardX course called Managing Happiness. And one idea really struck a chord with me:
“Happiness requires some amount of unhappiness.”
It feels a bit contradictory, doesn’t it? But the more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Some of the things that bring me the greatest happiness also come with their fair share of challenges.
Take my journey as a solopreneur. I knew it would bring me the freedom to own my time and focus on what really matters to me. But getting here wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. There were tough decisions, moments of frustration, and plenty of sacrifices. Those hard times, though? They taught me what I truly wanted and how much I was willing to give up for it.
It’s funny how the hard stuff becomes the guide—teaching us, shaping us, and helping us figure out what really matters. As someone once said: “A worthwhile goal is a freely chosen task. Even if you need to strive for it, you’ll do it happily.”
Take a Little Pause 🌼
What’s one thing you deeply wish to strive for this year that would bring you immense happiness once attained? What sacrifices might the journey demand, and are you okay with those?
For me, I dream of spending a month in a new country this year. But to make it happen, I’ll need to tighten my budget, save more, and maybe even pick up a few extra projects along the way.
Nuggets for Your Soul💫
Satisfaction comes not from having what you want but from wanting what you have.
— Arthur Brooks
My Moment of Pause/Calm🌿
This week, I began journaling—a simple act that has brought me unexpected calm. At the end of the day, I pour my unspoken thoughts and feelings onto paper. It’s become a nightly ritual, a quiet moment just before sleep to connect with myself.
What have you heard, seen, or done this week that brought you a moment of calm? I’d love to hear! 💛
PS: If you enjoy my newsletter, please share it with a friend! You can also tap the ❤️ button so more people can discover it on Substack. No pressure, just love.
Connect with me: Rachna Ghiya, IG | Chat | LinkedIn.
As always, you can reply to this email or drop your comment below—I read every single one.