"Happiness" is overrated. Purpose is sustainable.

I have recently changed my blog’s description from “how to live a happy, healthy and full life” to “how to live a healthy, full life with purpose.”

The idea of “happiness” is everywhere. Society categorizes us as “unsuccessful” if we are not “happy." What does happy truly mean though? Striving for “happiness” is a misunderstood goal. I can’t hold myself responsible to create constant happiness. Striving for that is only setting myself up for failure. Allowing and accepting sadness and raw emotion is what keeps my life balanced and enables personal growth. I believe my best life demands emotions all across the spectrum so that I can better understand myself and my purpose.

Life with purpose is not only realistic, but it is flexible. We have the opportunity to adjust and recreate what kind of lifestyle we deem important. Vibrancy is always accessible. Just as a rainbow can be seen on a stormy day, positivity and purpose can be gathered from our most unhappy moments. Seeking “happiness” is reaching for inconsistent satisfaction. That is why I choose to live for a purpose.

For a while now, my purpose has been to enhance as many lives as possible. Whether it be a small act of kindness or sharing my experiences in the hopes to inspire others, my mission is to motivate self love. I believe a better world will come from individual satisfaction. No checkboxes for success by achieving every goal as you set them out. There is no ticking time bomb when it comes to “life’s purpose." Unnecessary pressure is avoided when limitation does not exist. I encourage everyone to look within yourselves. Get to know yourself. Learn your values, your goals, and your purpose. Challenge what you think you believe, question what you prioritize. By sharing my story I enhance my own life with a chance to heal and dive deeper into what truly matters to me. What I thought were my inabilities were really landmarks on my map leading to a better life. A more fulfilling, accomplished life that I can be proud of.

My blog is like my diary. It’s therapeutic and efficient. I stopped venting and started listening. My thoughts matter and there is so much I can learn from them. I take power from my pain. I hope to inspire through my ability to inspire myself. We all have what it takes. Root for yourself because if you can inspire yourself, you’re most likely inspiring someone else too. ​

To me, picturing happiness as a goal looks like this: I have power over my attitude. Nothing life throws at me has the ability to keep me down. Struggle doesn’t define me, what defines me is how I respond. Strength prepares me for opportunity. Opportunity provides me room to grow. Growth is consistent and consistency is promising. Happiness is merely pieces of the puzzle. By itself, happiness doesn’t hold true value. Purpose is the bigger picture. Purpose is what provides meaning. Without meaning, what is the point?