Following Your Happy — what it means & why we should do it
Happy: an adjective often used when we desire to express feelings of pleasure, joy, or delight. But what if we think of “happy” as a noun instead? Let’s think of “happy” as a person, place, or thing that fills you with those feelings that the word is commonly used to express. Let me explain…
When Spencer and I were discussing designs for this tank top, he asked me what inspires and motivates me. I immediately thought back to a few years ago when I was at a point in my life I had never imagined I would be at. I had stopped taking care of myself, my self-confidence was at an all-time low, and my energy to get up to do anything other than attend my college classes was nonexistent. I had hit a low, that at that time, I did not think I was going to be able to come back from. Now, I do not tell you this because I want you to feel sorry for me; do not think that for a second. I tell you this for two reasons:
1. Because I am going to tell you how I did in fact come back from that low and…
2. Because I want everyone out there to feel a little less alone.
Even though all our situations differ in some way, realize you are not alone in your battle, whether it be big or small. Individuals are facing their fears, dealing with their insecurities, and much more. My point: We are all fighting some kind of battle.
Fast forward three-ish years: I am attending nursing school, coaching volleyball, and running my own little business while still finding time for my friends, family, and myself. You are probably thinking, “so what Kate?” Well, I am doing what I want all of you to do; I am following my happy.
Let’s rewind again. I did not come back from the point I was at in a day, a week, or even a month. It took time, years to be exact. There were times when I felt as though I was doing well, and then I would fall right back down again. But I kept working to figure out what it is that “lights me up.” So I ask you now, take a second if you have to, what lights you up? What is it that overwhelms you with joy? What is it that puts a smile on your face even if you are in a horrible mood? These are the things I want you to pursue. These are the things that can be defined as “your happy” and these are the things I want you to follow.
Now some of you may say, “Well I don’t know what my happy is.” That is okay! But I need you to search for it; discover what it is that lights you up. If you are in college, but are not interested in any of the material your professors are presenting to you, change your major! If you leave your current job every day miserable, then look for a new job! If you have an overwhelming desire to take a dance class, start your own YouTube page, travel to a state you have never been to, or whatever it may be — please do it! My point, as cliché as it may sound: Life is far too short to be doings things that do not make you happy. It is far too often that I hear individuals repeatedly stating that they hate their jobs or that they cannot wait until they are able to retire. While it is normal to not want to get out of your warm, cozy bed in the morning, you should not dread the duties you carry out every day at your workplace.
So find what it is that you love to do — do what you love, love what you do. If you do that, you are going to be overwhelmed with feelings of bliss, contentment, delight, etc…and that is when you know you are following your happy. I have followed my happy by starting my own business with a company that promotes healthy living, something that I am very passionate about. I have followed my happy by obtaining a position as a varsity volleyball coach, in which I am not only able to push my players to improve on the court, but I am able to push them to be better versions of themselves every day. I have also followed my happy by finding time to read personal development books, and by making “Selfcare Sunday” a weekly thing. My point with all of this: Your happy is a multitude of things, big and small, human and nonhuman. I am encouraging you to find not one, but several things that fill you with joy. Make those a part of your life. Your happy may be a place that you make an effort to visit regularly. Your happy might be a person that motivates you to be a better you. Whatever your happy may be, I need you to follow it. Which brings me to my last point…
Do not stop chasing what it is that lights you up. If it is traveling, then continue to travel. If it is a job that requires you to finish your degree to obtain it, then work your butt off until that diploma is in your hands. Oh, I forgot to mention that there are parts of this that might not be easy. You might have to work for your happy; you might have to dig so deep that it might not feel like it is worth it. But I promise you that it will be. As you grow older, do not stop pursing your happy, because your happy truly never stops growing. Continue to surround yourself with new people and moments put a smile on your face, explore new places, and jump on all the opportunities that cross your path. Make the most of every second you have on this beautiful planet.
Lastly, if you are feeling alone, I hope that after reading this you are feeling less alone. I hope that my words have made you realize that it is okay to fall down & fighting to get back up only makes you stronger. I hope that I have inspired each and every one of you, even if just in the slightest. Most importantly, I hope that this post has encouraged you to live a life in which you never stop Following Your Happy.
With love,
Kate
Instagram: hothy33 & wolfpak_clothing
website: www.wolfpakclothing.com
discount code: FOLLOWINGMYHAPPY
