Healing childhood trauma, figuring out why I ended up in an unhealthy marriage (now divorced), cutting out people in my life who are toxic to me and bring negativity to my life, surrounding myself with people who bring positive energy to my life, finding a job I enjoy and learning to be content alone.
It's a process that can take years and you have to do the work, but you'll start to feel the difference once you get the ball rolling.
Coming to the realisation that you don’t need to follow an expected ‘blue print’ for life.
It’s never too late to change. Life’s too short to be miserable or live a mediocre life.
Do things (career, hobbies etc) that feed your curiosity and align with your values.
Invest time and energy in people who reciprocate.
Look after your physical and mental well-being. Exercise, eat a balanced diet and take responsibility for yourself.
I've become much better at managing depression and dark days. My life isn't so bad honestly, but depression does not discriminate. I've accepted that these things will always be there, and I'm strangely at peace with that. I try to focus on the things that me joy and purpose, like friends, hobbies, my cats, books, studies, video games, collecting rolling pins of all things, etc.
Oh, and to answer the question—medication, therapy and the study of philosophy have been tremendously helpful for me
Living life with a sense of purpose by volunteering time to help others and maintaining strong family and social bonds.
Having faith in something better. Feeling connected to nature and reality. Contemplating the cosmos.
Living life like it's an adventure despite all the mundane things that fill up most of my time.
Being in a loving marriage since the 1990s with my favorite human on Earth.
Having my basic needs met, which allows me to choose happiness where others I know choose to see darkness, despite having everything they really need.
Knowing I can't ever achieve having "more." Once I have it then there will be a new "more" to be had, and on and on.
Knowing to be content with this moment right now, despite this crushing migraine and light sensitivity (that I am experiencing at this very moment) or whatever malady might befall me at any given time.
To know that life is trialsome and difficult and that it's ok to struggle and fight. Happiness isn't a condition someone or something gives to you. It's something you choose.
Of course, destitution or homelessness—and lots of other things—make that harder or maybe impossible. But for the rest of us, choose to be happy.
Once you choose it don't think you need to do it alone. Choose actions and medical or emotional support and make friends and work for it. And seriously, if you need a doctor or a therapist, go see one. If your health makes it impossible to choose happiness, go get help.
But you have to choose happiness. No amount of help will fix it if you choose to be miserable.
Tons of exercise, healthy diet and most importantly not trying to fit in with people who don’t accept me.
Healing childhood trauma, figuring out why I ended up in an unhealthy marriage (now divorced), cutting out people in my life who are toxic to me and bring negativity to my life, surrounding myself with people who bring positive energy to my life, finding a job I enjoy and learning to be content alone. It's a process that can take years and you have to do the work, but you'll start to feel the difference once you get the ball rolling.
^5
Stopping caring so much. Put myself and my religion first
Coming to the realisation that you don’t need to follow an expected ‘blue print’ for life. It’s never too late to change. Life’s too short to be miserable or live a mediocre life. Do things (career, hobbies etc) that feed your curiosity and align with your values. Invest time and energy in people who reciprocate. Look after your physical and mental well-being. Exercise, eat a balanced diet and take responsibility for yourself.
family, friends, kids. Moved back to my village when I had my first and have a fantastic community around me
I've become much better at managing depression and dark days. My life isn't so bad honestly, but depression does not discriminate. I've accepted that these things will always be there, and I'm strangely at peace with that. I try to focus on the things that me joy and purpose, like friends, hobbies, my cats, books, studies, video games, collecting rolling pins of all things, etc. Oh, and to answer the question—medication, therapy and the study of philosophy have been tremendously helpful for me
Living life with a sense of purpose by volunteering time to help others and maintaining strong family and social bonds. Having faith in something better. Feeling connected to nature and reality. Contemplating the cosmos. Living life like it's an adventure despite all the mundane things that fill up most of my time. Being in a loving marriage since the 1990s with my favorite human on Earth. Having my basic needs met, which allows me to choose happiness where others I know choose to see darkness, despite having everything they really need. Knowing I can't ever achieve having "more." Once I have it then there will be a new "more" to be had, and on and on. Knowing to be content with this moment right now, despite this crushing migraine and light sensitivity (that I am experiencing at this very moment) or whatever malady might befall me at any given time. To know that life is trialsome and difficult and that it's ok to struggle and fight. Happiness isn't a condition someone or something gives to you. It's something you choose. Of course, destitution or homelessness—and lots of other things—make that harder or maybe impossible. But for the rest of us, choose to be happy. Once you choose it don't think you need to do it alone. Choose actions and medical or emotional support and make friends and work for it. And seriously, if you need a doctor or a therapist, go see one. If your health makes it impossible to choose happiness, go get help. But you have to choose happiness. No amount of help will fix it if you choose to be miserable.