Happiness is Found in Spontaneity

Happiness is something most people seek to achieve when they come to therapy. Yet, finding it isn’t simple. There is no clear answer about where to find your next smile. Like C.S. Lewis notes, "Joy bursts in our lives when we go about doing the good at hand and not trying to manipulate things and times to achieve joy." We can’t force cheer and happiness into our lives, it just happens when we go about living our lives. What we can do is set ourselves up to find it easier. Most people find joy in experiencing something new, something unexpected. So that points towards allowing more spontaneity into one’s life if you want to find happiness. Many of us, especially people-pleasers, high achievers, and perfectionists, try to plan out every aspect of our lives, and feel guilty if time is “wasted”. The reality is that the joy you seek is found in those relaxed moments. Let life happen. Seek to savor your senses by actively being present and exclaiming how wonderful it is to feel. Adore the excitement of not knowing what is coming and capture your own curiosity by giving yourself room to not know everything. The same efforts that one takes to avoid anxiety, by sticking to a strict routine and overpreparing, also kills opportunities for fun.

"Joy bursts in our lives when we go about doing the good at hand and not trying to manipulate things and times to achieve joy."

~ C. S. Lewis