My Happiness Project: Taking a Step Back

There’s a lot of frustration in the air these days. From politics to our own friends and family, the drama meter has been turned up to maximum and it’s driving me crazy. Though I haven’t posted about it in a while, I’ve been working hard on my happiness project, and all of the insanity has given me the opportunity to practice being in the present moment.

There’s way too much to worry about these days and ruining the present with anxiety about the future isn’t worth it. I’m going to do my best to prep for success, but not at the expense of all my happiness. My inner nerd might demand that A+ on everything, but the new realistic me realizes that sacrificing family and friends, and all my fun to gain 1/2 a grade level is insane. Inner school nerd Claire is fighting it, but new and improved Claire is way happier.

I’ve been trying to take a step back from social media as well. The drama drives me crazy, but the fabricated drama just because people are bored has been driving me truly insane. Like the mean girls phase, I thought we outgrew that in high school- but apparently not. And since I can’t fix stupid, I’ve taken the next best step- disconnect from social media. It isn’t permanent or long-term, but it’s what I need to gain perspective. Spending more time on the real people I see and talk to every day has made me feel more connected to the world in a way that social media just doesn’t. I need to see people as they really are, not just the image the project on a screen. I’ve been lucky to have a few amazing people I know I can always turn to and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

My happiness project has brought many things in to focus, but one point stands out today: When I surround myself with a few people who I truly care about, who I would do just about anything for, there’s no need for the drama that we as people tend to create. When there’s real love, and joy, and laughter in life, there’s no room for the emotional rollercoaster.

Here’s to smoother seas ahead.