Do More Of What Makes You Happy

Let's be honest. We all know that one friend. The one who’s always buzzing with energy. The one who seems to have cracked the code. They’re the ones who’ll tell you, with a twinkle in their eye, "Just do more of what makes you happy!" Sounds simple, right? Almost too simple. Like they’re handing out a magic wand and expecting you to suddenly conjure a unicorn.

And here’s where my "unpopular" opinion kicks in. I kind of, sort of, absolutely agree with them. Yes, I said it. While the world is busy telling us to hustle harder, to grind, to climb that ladder of success (which, by the way, is usually covered in kale smoothies and existential dread), I’m here to champion the cause of pure, unadulterated joy.

Think about it. When was the last time you truly, deeply smiled? Not a polite, “Oh, that’s nice” smile. I mean a genuine, belly-aching, tears-in-your-eyes kind of laugh. What were you doing? Was it staring at spreadsheets? Was it attending a mandatory team-building exercise that involved interpretive dance? Probably not.

It was likely something ridiculously silly. Maybe you were building a magnificent pillow fort in your living room, complete with a drawbridge made of blankets. Perhaps you were having a deep philosophical debate with your pet rock, Sir Reginald, about the meaning of existence. Or, dare I say it, maybe you were watching an embarrassingly cheesy rom-com and singing along at the top of your lungs, off-key and proud.

These are the moments, aren't they? The ones that fill your soul with sunshine and make you forget about that looming deadline or the fact that your socks don't match. These are the activities that whisper, "You're doing it right."

Now, I’m not suggesting you quit your job tomorrow and dedicate your life to competitive thumb-wrestling. Although, if that genuinely makes you happy, who am I to judge? I'm simply suggesting a slight recalibration. A gentle nudge towards more of the good stuff.

Instead of viewing leisure time as a reward for all your hard work, what if we saw it as the actual work? The important work of being human. The work of tending to your inner child, who, let's face it, probably just wants to play with glitter and eat cookies.

Imagine a world where people prioritized joy. Where your boss, instead of asking about quarterly profits, inquired about your latest creative masterpiece or your most hilarious anecdote. Where your to-do list included items like "learn to juggle" or "attempt to bake a cake that doesn't resemble a deflated football."

It sounds utopian, doesn't it? And perhaps a little impractical. But is it really?

Let’s break it down. When you’re doing something you love, something that sparks that inner fire, what happens? You feel lighter. You feel more energized. You’re more creative. You’re more patient. You’re less likely to snap at the barista for accidentally giving you decaf. It’s a win-win, really.

So, what are these magical happiness-inducing activities? They’re as varied as people themselves. For some, it’s the quiet hum of a library, surrounded by the comforting scent of old books. For others, it’s the adrenaline rush of a roller coaster, screaming their lungs out with pure, unadulterated glee.

It could be painting a masterpiece (or a glorious mess of colors). It could be learning a new language, even if it’s just enough to order a pizza in Italian. It could be spending an afternoon in your garden, communing with worms and marigolds. It could be attending a local music festival and dancing like nobody’s watching (even though they probably are, and they’re probably enjoying your enthusiasm).

Remember that time you got lost in a good book? That feeling? That’s it. That’s the stuff. Treasure it.

The key, I believe, is to actively seek out these moments. To not let them be accidental byproducts of a busy life. To schedule them in, just like you would a doctor’s appointment or a dentist cleaning. Except, these appointments are for your soul.

It’s about making conscious choices. Choosing to spend an extra hour at the park instead of scrolling through endless social media feeds. Choosing to call a friend for a silly chat instead of letting the silence of your apartment swallow you whole. Choosing to experiment with that recipe you saw online, even if it means a kitchen disaster of epic proportions.

Because at the end of the day, when you’re old and gray, what will you remember? Will it be the endless meetings? The performance reviews? Or will it be the laughter shared with loved ones? The thrill of learning something new? The sheer, unadulterated joy of living?

So, I implore you, my friends. Go forth and be happy. Do more of that thing that makes your heart sing. That thing that makes you feel alive. That thing that makes you forget about the taxes and the laundry and the general existential ponderings. Embrace the silliness. Embrace the joy. Embrace the beautiful, messy, wonderful act of living a life that makes you smile. Even if that smile is accompanied by a mouthful of cookie crumbs.