If you ask me, the crux of life is to find happiness. In my definition - if we can call this a definition - being happy is to be content with our lives in such a style we find ourselves mostly on the good side of the line. Of course, we can try to ban all negativity in our lives and find ways to deal with negativity such that we don't 'feel' them; But banning all negativity is more like a dream - that will most likely never come true. My purpose is therefore to try the balancing act instead of chasing the dream.
In recent years I find myself not taking extensive vacations anymore to wind down from everyday life. The result of this was a gradual increase in a negative state of mind in general, impacting for instance my social engagements in ways that don't help anybody, not others and not myself. Becoming less patient over time. Being short in convo and tempered more and more. Getting too negatively stuck in whatever is out of my control etc etc. At times my happiness levels reached rock bottom, albeit I was still able to find kinda happiness by still balancing things. However, this became more exhaustive and required more energy as time progressed.
And then, I found the solution...
About 6 weeks or so ago, I started my festival tour. Music festivals that is. All lasted multiple days. The first one: 4 days. The second one straight after: 6 days. Then some festival relief until my third one a week ago, this time around, again 4 days. I know that when visiting the festivals I visited, I reset my brain, mind and emotions completely. Mostly living solely in the hear-and-now at said events, these events take me away from the everyday struggles. Not often in my life, have I done so many multi-day festivals in a row, hence I didn't have that much experience with the outcome.
By now I know, such a streak had the perfect outcome. I feel totally relaxed. I seem to approach plenty of negativity without getting agitated. I seem to laugh more hours a day. I can 'relativate' much better again. Overall I feel more positive. Therefore I can say, I feel more happy than before. A (self)inspiration for me for sure 🙇
At the same time, I believe - or at least, I hope - peeps in my vicinity are happier with yours truly {HOPIUM?}
At Work, I approach setbacks with much less negativity and treat people with more respect. And foremost I add mucho more humour (again) in all we encounter and have to deal with. While before my festival streak, I became regularly angry with co-workers, managers and directors whenever they weren't in helping mode, last few weeks am approaching this totally relaxed. Perhaps a little too relaxed, since in the end our customers will not be served as they should be served, hence they are the ones who will suffer. But hey, I know I can't change what is not in my control. I can only try and make peeps aware of things that need change, which I still do. And of course, whatever is in my control, I try and execute in the best and most positive way possible.
At Threads, I seem to approach most of my contributions with a large dose of humour. That itself makes me feel good and positive, while I hope it does the same to the others I interact with. From time to time, I encounter users who seem not to like my humour or simply don't understand my humour. Sadly some of them are immediately judgemental and throw all sorts of negative qualifications at me. Am glad that I'm able to deal with such negative responses in a positive style while it doesn't get stuck with me for longer than just a few milliseconds.
At Life... Well, Life seems to be much better last 6-odd weeks. Even when the Summer seems to be replaced by Autumn. The Sun made way for Mister Rain. Quiet invisible Air made way for Storms.
Perrrrrrfect state-of-mind, if you ask me 😉
Though holding on to things and none-things is never good, I plan to try and hold on to this state of mind for a considerable time into the future. When I see myself going in the 'wrong' direction again, I shall embark on the next multiday festival adventures.
Orrrrrr, I shall pick up Intermittent Fasting again. In the past have had some great results by doing so, intermittent fasting I mean. For weeks, even months I felt having more energy, found it much easier to execute all sorts of boring tasks, had more patience in anything in life. In general, I felt more positive, i.e. happy.
I suppose, by now I found two lifehacks to get me to the best side of the line 🙃
By now am wondering what happens when I combine both: Festivals and Intermittent Fasting?
Never done that, though I tried during the last three events. But days and nights are spent so randomly, that it is mighty difficult to schedule food time in just the 6 to 8-hour window that I give myself. Therefore I let go of Fasting very very quickly when entering the playgrounds for adults. But what hasn't happened, can still happen. Next time, will try again 😉
- How do you deal with negativity in life?
- Do you actively find new ways to feel more happy?
- What do find the most important elements in life?
Looking forward to reading your stories and how you 'play' the happiness scale 😉 Note: 'Play' may have a negative connotation, but you must know, that is not at all what I intended 🙃
all images by edje unless stated otherwise
