Happiness is not one size fits all. We get to do it our way,not the way of the experts. There is no right or wrong way. This is one of my biggest takeaways from writing 668 daily happiness podcast episodes. Tune in to learn more.

Transcript:

Welcome to Everyday Happiness, I'm your host Katie Jefcoat, and as we close out this podcast, we invite you to join our happy mail email community, where you’ll continue to get happiness and kindness content delivered straight to your inbox. We think it’s the happiest email in your inbox. You can join at www.katiejefcoat.com

Today, I share one of my biggest takeaways from writing 668 daily happiness podcasts. Happiness is not one size fits all. We get to do it our way, not the way of the experts. There is no right or wrong way.

Yes, I can give you a long list of things that "may" work scientifically to improve your habits for happiness, and I will throw some ideas your way in a minute. However, if you are not in that head space, you will feel unproductive, discouraged, and even less happy than you were before when they inevitably fail.

I am a firm believer that we have to do what works for us, and there is no one size fits all solution. If you hear a guru telling you the five things to do without any discussion of what works for you, they are just throwing spaghetti at the wall. We must actively participate in the quest to boost our happiness.

So how does one find what works best for them?

I often think about how people make chicken soup as an excellent comparison to building habits for a happiness routine. In chicken soup, some add rice; some add noodles. Some add corn, and some add peas. Some use stock broth from the store; some make it from scratch. There is no “right” way to make chicken soup; everyone simply makes the version they enjoy best. You certainly aren’t going to force yourself to eat a chicken soup recipe you hate merely because someone told you it was the “right” way to do it!

We have to apply the same concept to happiness habits. If writing in a gratitude journal makes you dread it, but you think you need to do it because everyone says it will make you happy - it won't. That's crazy!

Instead, trying out different happiness habits (like ingredients) to see which ones you like the most and which actually work for you would be better. Then you can combine them to create a meaningful, impactful happiness routine you enjoy!

Some ingredient ideas include:

#1: Practicing Gratitude

#2: Performing Random Acts of Kindness

#3: Getting Out to Exercise

#4: Building Social Bonds

#5: Letting Go of Unnecessary Drama

#6: Being Kind to Our Bodies

#7: Creating Intentional Margins®

I have a whole list of ideas on my January 2023 blog at www.katiejefcoat.com/blog - I will also link in the show notes.

I also want to remind you that this happiness habit soup that you are making changes as you need it to. Maybe you are in a space where a gratitude journal feels right. And maybe next season, you will send cards in the mail instead.

I highly encourage you to try out a variety of habits to see which flavor suits your taste before building your soup. If one doesn’t work, throw it out and try something new! Remember, your habits for happiness are about you and only you. Try to skip comparing yourself to others or thinking someone else’s soup is “better.” Focus on you, your happiness, and your life!

The insight is simple. Do you, boo. Happiness is not one size fits all. We get to do it our way. And that is the best, perfect, most aligned way.

So today, remember, kindness is contagious. Go out and spread some kindness today.

Life is heavy enough, we shouldn’t have to search for happiness. Get the exclusive happiness; email, delivered with a smile twice a month to your inbox. https://www.katiejefcoat.com/email

And, let’s connect on social at @everydayhappinesswithkatie and join the community on the hashtags #IntentionalMargins and #everydayhappinesswithkatie on Instagram

Links: https://onamission.bio/everydayhappiness/

Blog: https://www.katiejefcoat.com/post/why-that-list-of-amazing-happiness-habits-doesn-t-work-for-you-what-you-need-to-do-instead