Living Your Happiness.

Is Being Happy Really a Choice?

When I meet someone for the first time, I am often asked about my career, if I have any children, the type of car I drive, and where in the world I’ve travelled to. It strikes me as curious that no one asks whether or not I’m happy. Is this because people aren’t interested? Do they think it’s crossing a line and getting too personal? Or are they measuring my perceived happiness by my career, the stamps in my passport, and my possessions?

To me, this line of questioning seems to imply that I have to be somewhere or achieve something that is considered socially acceptable in order to be seen as successful and happy. But I don’t feel as though I need to do or be anything other than myself. I am already living my happiness and this moment, right now, is the only place I need to be.

I don’t own my apartment, I don’t dine in fancy restaurants, my favourite jeans are as ripped as Channing Tatum’s abs in Magic Mike, and I’m constantly on the hustle for work. But I’m happy. I’m happy because all of this is my choice. I have chosen to live a creative life. I have chosen to walk different paths to what most people would consider normal. I’ve cried, I’ve been scared, and I have had to find courage I didn’t know I had, but every decision I have made has led me here to this very moment. This moment of knowing that I have navigated my way through dark times and through tricky times to become the most kick ass, happy version of myself.

There is no doubt many people would think I have chosen a hard road—making a living in the Arts is not for the faint of heart. I often joke that I wish I had it in me to love a ‘sensible’ profession such as accounting or law, but that’s just not who I am. I could choose to work a regular office job—one that would sound like a dream when I’m asked about my career, but asked if I’m happy, my answer would be a resounding “no”.

At any given moment we all have the ability to make a choice. We can choose to fit in with the crowd or we can choose the things that make us truly happy—even if that means opting for circumstances that aren’t very popular or well understood. How lucky we are to live in a society that allows us the freedom to do so. We can choose to allow happiness into our lives. Sometimes it’s hard, I know. Sometimes it requires bravery. Sometimes you think you don’t deserve it—but you do. We all do.

Do I want to own my home one day? Hell yeah! But for now, I am happy being able to move through my life without the worry or responsibility of a mortgage. One day my crappy old car that I love to bits will stop running and, after many tears, I will choose whether or not to replace it. Every decision I make will be one that I feel in my heart is best for me and in alignment with what I need to live my happiest life.

This is my messy, unconventional, and incredibly flawed life. This is my happiness. What’s yours?

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