Finding Happiness Through Agency, Alignment, and Gratitude

Happiness is something we all seek, yet it can often feel fleeting and elusive. Over the past 20 years or so there have been thousands of studies done on what constitutes happiness and how we can create more of it in our lives. So I’m going to distill much of that down to some simple, actionable  steps you can take. By focusing on cultivating three key areas — a sense of agency, alignment, and gratitude— you’ll create more joy and fulfillment in your life. Read on to explore how to feel happier longer.

Agency: Empowerment by recognizing the things we can control 

Having a sense of control, or agency, in our lives is fundamental to our happiness. Fortunately there are some simple things you can do every day to reinforce this feeling, which also helps you feel more powerful and confident …   and free. You can start  by identifying some things that are  within your control: The weather may not be, but what you have for breakfast is. You can’t control the nasty email you received, but you can control how much you let it get to you, and how you respond. Being aware of what is in your control helps reinforce a sense of agency that frees up energy for things that matter to you,  in addition to allowing  you to  show up as the person you want to be. 

Here are some more areas of your life that are in your control:

• Morning Routine: Decide the time you wake up and what your first actions of the day  will be upon waking. Will  you grab your phone or take a moment to stretch and set your intentions for the day? Then take a second to reflect on three things you're grateful for to get your day started on a positive note.

• Daily Structure: Plan how you organize your day so you feel a sense of order and agency (and lower any anxiety). Prioritize responsibilities, activities, and free time. Be intentional about  how you spend your leisure time so you don't find yourself hours later wondering where it went. Are you scrolling through social media, exercising, watching TV, gaming, connecting with loved ones, tidying your space, reading, or engaging in hobbies?

• Nutrition and Exercise: Choose which foods you keep in your house and what you eat. Decide whether or not to be physically active each day. Own what you put in your body and what you do with it too!

• Responses and Reactions: Manage how you respond to what others say or do (after any unfortunate  interactions you may need a minute to gather yourself, and that’s ok - take it and choose how to respond), and listen to what your inner voice has to say, evaluate the message, and be mindful of what you choose to believe.

• Self-Talk: Be aware of how you speak to yourself. If you catch yourself in a belittling monologue, question it and choose a different tone!

• Forgiveness: Practice forgiving others and yourself. Compassion and understanding are the builders of bridges, in addition to taking enormous weights off your shoulders.

• Connections and Interests: Cultivate meaningful connections  - remember, your nature is tribal! Also, spend your most precious resources of time, energy and attention on pursuing interests and hobbies too. Pleasure, fun, and play are essential ingredients to happiness!

As important as it is to know what you can control, It's equally important to recognize what is out of your control so you can consciously decide to let go of those things. You cannot change other people's behavior, the weather, or your boss's attitude. Identify what you need to be able to accept the things that bother you so you can find a way to release them. Shifting your focus to what you can influence will free up energy to focus on activities and people that energize you. 

Alignment: Living True to Your Values

Living in alignment with what is most important to you  is fundamental to living a fulfilling life. Take a moment to identify what matters to you most—is it integrity, connection, creativity, growth, beauty, freedom, humor, knowledge, health?  Knowing your core values will provide you with  a sense of freedom and empowerment that guide your decisions and actions. It helps you build meaning into your daily life and to navigate challenges with resilience. When you live in alignment with your values, you find it easier to make important decisions and take necessary risks that get you where you want to be..

Gratitude and Contentment: Recognizing Enough

Gratitude is a simple and powerful practice that fosters contentment. By acknowledging what you HAVE, what you CAN do, and what IS working, you can significantly increase your sense of satisfaction and happiness. Expressing gratitude also heals, as it trains your nervous system to recognize the positive. A gratitude practice doesn't have to be some big time-consuming event:  Try just taking  a moment to list what you have enough of, acknowledging your successes and achievements, and appreciating what makes you uniquely you. Recognizing that you are  complete, creative, and resourceful forms the foundation of inner peace and paves the way to stepping into your power.

If you’re interested in learning more, let’s set up a discovery call. It’s free! DM me or book it through my website.