Journey to Happiness
I find it interesting, when people ask us how we are, we reply: I am fine thank you, I am doing great, or I am pretty good - even when we don’t feel well, we are struggling, or our life is falling apart. I believe we answer this way because we don’t want others to feel uncomfortable around us, or more likely, we don’t want others to know how we really feel about ourselves. Maybe we feel embarrassed that we are having difficulties in our life, or that we are not as healthy as we appear.
I was so used to struggling that I couldn’t imagine a life in which every day was easy. I couldn’t grasp the idea that other people’s happiness could be real. Or maybe I just didn’t want to. Because I didn’t want to burden other people with my depression, I didn’t talk to anyone about it. I tried to act normal. I tried to be like everyone else. I felt trapped, by everything I thought was wrong with me. I got to the point of holding so much in, I didn’t think I could handle it anymore. Being truly trapped was the most horrible feeling I have ever experienced. I had been taking my freedom for granted. Out here in the free world, I have the choice to do something about my unhappiness. I was removing responsibility from myself. I felt like I was given a hopeless life sentence that wasn’t worth fighting against. After being shown what life could be like without choices, without trying to improve, I knew there was no way to keep living the way that I was.
A few years ago, I decided to change my life for the better. There were numerous reasons why I wanted to make these life alterations, but the main ones were, I knew I was capable of so much more. I wanted to make an effort to exploit my full potential and accomplish more and I was not doing that. I was not in the best of health. I kept late hours. My overall lifestyle habits were not conducive towards a healthy and productive life. I wanted to be more mindful and happy and worry less. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. That was my motivation. I conducted a lot of research online and read on happiness, health, success, productivity and overall wellness. I carefully decided on the changes I would make in my life. I purposely chose changes that were practical, effective and achievable for me. I wanted lasting changes and not temporary.
I made the choice then and there, to change my life. I took steps to overcome my depression, as impossible as that might sound. I decided not to give up and refused, I failed a lot, but every time I fell down, I got right back up again. Years later I am determined to empower you to overcome your setbacks and discover your happiness. No matter where you are in life, if you are not happy, something needs to change. Life is too short to lived in a haze of hopelessness. You always have the choice of how you react to them and what to do when they threaten to take over your life. What we want to do is create space for happiness, even if you think your life is full of darkness. There is light somewhere, Talk about It, Find a trusted friend, family member, your boyfriend or therapist who you can talk to openly. Getting your emotions out and asking for support without guilt is crucial to the healing process. Make sure this person is supportive, willing to help,unbiased. Instead of dwelling on the negative things happening to you (such as things you have no control over), focus on the positive actions you can take. What can you do to create happiness in your life? Even if everything around you seems dim, you can always take action to create some semblance of light. For instance, in the very beginning of my recovery, I had no idea how to start “being happy.” I tried a lot of things to get my mind off the negative thoughts, but I found exercise to be the most effective. It decreased stress, helped me focus throughout the day, and made me feel stronger during and after my workout. This is how I discovered my passion for health, which has added countless amounts of happiness to my life! I have a few, but the one I use in most situations is,“You can do this.” Find a phrase, quote or word that strikes a chord in you. You can say them out loud, but for social reasons, I tend to repeat inside my own head.
Give Happiness
The feeling of giving happiness to someone else has a way of taking the heaviness out of your own life. Now, I’m not saying, “Go help other people so that you never think of how depressed you are.” On the contrary, I recommend you put yourself first. Take care of your mental and physical health. Make the choice to change your life. Make this your moment.
I have made in my life is being more careful with my money. I save a lot more than I did before. I now spend money on memorable experiences that I know I will cherish. I have decided to stay in closer contact with family, whom I care about deeply. I used to be more self-centered and neglected staying in touch with my loved ones. I now take the time to call my Mom more often, and simply be a better friend and family member. This has brought me so much closer to those I cherish. One thing that I have changed and do much better now is managing my time.
Forgiveness is a big one for me. I spent a lot of time learning to forgive myself and others. I have to admit that I used to be a coward when it came to visiting the doctor or dentist. However, I now have chosen to view going to the doctor and dentist frequently in a more positive light and my fear has been greatly reduced. I focus on the fact that prevention is better than cure. I am now more likely to go hiking, visiting, taking up photography, bird watching, going to the beach, etc. I learned not to try and seek the approval of others as I often did before. This was a big change for me because I definitely tried too hard to please others. Instead, I now use my conscience as my guide and, while I try to be sensitive to how others feel. I know that I cannot please everyone.
Another major change I have made in my life is making time to learn new skills and increasing my knowledge. I am more likely to become a Virtual Assistant to work at home and I decided to enroll in a Filipino Virtual Assistance training, https://fvaconsultancy.com/ and I read on meditation, exercise, nutrition, etc. I also know now that challenging yourself is the only way to grow and improve. I now view the discomfort in a different light, if I am uncomfortable doing something, there is a good chance it’s because I am taking myself out of my comfort zone and learning something new. Last and not least, I do my best to love myself now. I do not take myself as seriously and try to practice unconditional self-love. I make a conscious effort to practice simple but positive affirmations throughout the day that emphasize self-love and worth.
It takes courage to change, to be the first in your tribe to move in a new direction. To create a new life model you have to believe in yourself and be willing to take risks. You have to re-evaluate every choice you are making. Decide if this is what you really want. Are you really living the life that you dreamed of? No matter what others believe, it is possible to create a life of your own design.
Spend less and live simply. I work and live more, by working less I have more time to focus on maintaining a healthy, balanced life. Less stress equals better health. I focus on preventing illness, not preparing for it. I focus on fulfillment- With more time in my life to meditate, take walks, do yoga or exercise, going to the beach, church and be immersed in nature, I live a happier and more peaceful life. I no longer need to pursue material pleasure to feel fulfilled. I match my values with my actions. The money I spend supports what matters most to me. I practice presence- I stay focused on the present moment. Calm when faced with life challenges. I make time for self-reflection every day, to acknowledge and listen to my feelings and the wisdom of my body, and to ensure that I continue to live intentionally.
Virtual Assistant and the benefits:
1. Friendly Work Time - You don’t have to wake up early. You can manage your own time for work Full time or Partime, family and socialization.
2. No Transportation Hassle - You’re at home so you don’t have to beat the traffic rush or spend money for jeepneys and taxis.
3. No Pressure for Fashion and Beauty - Say goodbye to matching clothes, buying office fashion accessories and doing your makeup because you don’t have to dress up every work day. You can sip your tea in your pajamas while at work.
4. Healthy Living - Since you own your own time, you can prepare healthy food and exercise at home.
5. Big Earnings - You are earning dollars right at the comfort of your own home.
6. Travel Everywhere - You’re not confined to the four corners of a working space. You can work anywhere in the world as long as there’s internet.
7. Passion - You have time to do the things you love. Be involved in a church ministry, write a book, do a photography class or take baking lessons. This is because you’re not drained with the 10-hour work period (8 hours work, 1 hour break, at least 1 hour commute) each day. You can plan your time for work at home and the things you’re passionate about.
8. Marriage – You’re with your spouse all day. When he’s/she’s working and you’re home, that still means you have a lot of time to help spice up your intimacy.
9. Parenting – You can see your kids grow up and treasure every moment of parenting. You can raise them up well and shape their future according to the destiny God has for them.
10. Balanced Life – You have time for family, kids and mission. While you bless your client’s business with excellent service, you can also enjoy fellowship with friends and relatives. You can live healthy and eat healthy. You can be you and do the things you love, and be financially stable on of all these.
Virtual Assistant Health Tips:
1. Set Your Working Schedule - This is one of the most important strategies that must not be overlooked. Without proper schedule management, very few people can function at an optimal level. Get enough rest and sleep at night and have a checklist on your to-do list. It will help you to prioritise work, organise your task and discipline.
2.Take a Bath and Get Dressed - Staying on your pajamas without taking a bath can be one of the worst ways to start your home-working day. Every time you take a shower, visualize washing away your stress and anxiety. Feel sadness, regret, anger and depression washing right off of you. Let it all go down the drain, you’ll start to feel lighter and much more clear. Then wear something comfortable that will help you for the right frame for your work.
3. Simple Desk Exercise - Once you start working from home, there’s a tendency of long hours sitting and this is very unhealthy. It weakens the core; it creates tension in the neck, shoulders, back and hips; it can create strain injury in the wrists; and it decreases blood circulation in the legs, which can lead to deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins. To prevent these issues, you need to do some desk exercises. Stand up and stretch regularly, simple leg and arm movements and closing your eyes for a while and looking at green color objects/scene.
4. Quick Break and Fresh Air - It’s easy not to take breaks and just do your work straight, but you will get more done if you pause at regular intervals. Ideally you should take a break every 90 minutes to 2 hours. Force yourself to go outside for a quick walk, do a simple stretches, or even just make yourself a coffee and listen to the radio for 10 minutes. The important thing is to remove yourself from your work for regular, short intervals to give your eyes and head a rest.
5. Reduce Eye Strain - Staring at a computer screen for several continuous hours can lead to eyestrain and fatigue. For those who work at home all day on the computer, experts recommend employing the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at an object at least 20 feet away from your screen.
6. Eating Healthy - Healthy food and snacks throughout the day can transform your productivity immensely. Most freelancers just want coffee in the morning but you need to force yourself to eat something like fruits, nuts, energy bars, and cereals. Most of us don’t have time for a long lunch, but it’s important to at least schedule a small break to refuel with a healthy snack.
7. Drink Plenty of Water - This is a constant reminder for all of us even if when we were kids. It’s crazy right? But we get so caught up in what we’re doing and often mistake thirst for hunger. Without proper hydration, your brain will not function properly and you’ll get tired easily.
8. Invest in a Desk and Good Office Chair - If you’re sitting down for most of the time, a quality chair will support your posture (as long as you stop slouching), can reduce the risk of back and neck pain, and relieve pressure on your hips. Generally, you’ll find it much more comfortable, and this will boost your productivity.
9. Adopt a Dog Or Pet - This is not an option for all, but it’s great for improving your organisational skills, fitness and general well-being. A dog is also hugely beneficial for relieving the isolation and monotony of working from home. You’ll have to get up and out for regular walks in the fresh air. This will boost your serotonin, get the circulation going and keep you active.
10. Connect with Virtual Friends - It’s important to have some social connection, even in the absence of co-workers. Maintaining healthy social connections improves your overall well-being and helps you stay motivated. Be part of the FVA family and be blessed with every aspect of your life.
Remember even if we work long hours, success is not an overnight process so why bother yourself waste time and energy. Always practice work-life balance and stay healthy!
Freelancing, home based jobs or online can be very relaxed and comfortable but remember that HEALTH is our greatest wealth to enjoy quality of life.
I thought it was impossible. Yet with determination, focus, and discipline, I changed my life – and I believe you can too. Your life is valuable. Utilize your time and energy to explore, discover and reveal what is meaningful to you. Reclaim your life, it is definitely worth the effort. I simply learn from my mistakes, make changes and move on.
I can sincerely say that these changes have made me a happier, more successful person. I could not have even imagined the life I have right now, and I am still learning every day. If I can do it, I know you can, too. I blog about these and other experiences regularly because I want to share my experiences and help others.
I believe in you. What changes are you going to make in your life?
