Today, happiness guru Melissa Bright and I are sharing our trials, how we got through them, and what we learned from them. Listen to our tips for getting through the grief cycle, choosing happiness, and knowing you’re never alone.
Show notes:
I am the host and creator of The Bright Side of Life Podcast. On my podcast I talk to people that have been through struggles and pains in their life and how they found their path back to the bright side, (whatever that means to them).
I believe that happiness and looking on the bright side is all about mindset, and these stories navigate and discuss people's successful journeys to happiness. Some of my topics have included: divorce, cancer survivor, trauma, suicide prevention, abandonment, addiction, finding God, therapy, and many more. Find out more at www.thebrightsideoflifepodcast.com
Melissa had her daughter at age 16 and lost her mom, who was her best friend and support, when she was 26. She doesn’t want anyone to feel alone like she did for a long time. Everyone is going through some kind of struggle. Keep that in mind and show compassion and kindness for everyone.
Remember that social media is a lie. It’s not a true portrait of who someone is.
What is the biggest misunderstanding of happiness?
It’s not a destination or future goal that it is only attached to or some sort of level. Living in each present moment and looking for the positive is the most important thing you can do and is the only thing you can really control. Choose happiness.
What’s the first step in finding joy and positivity through struggles?
You need to feel them instead of avoid them. Sit with your feelings, even the negative ones, and know that this is not the end. It can’t always be perfect but you can find and feel happiness again.
The next step is therapy. You need to understand and learn about the grieving process and what that looks like and feels like for you. It helps you understand you’re not the first or last person to feel a certain way or experience a certain situation. Therapists can educate you and validate you and your feelings. Avoidance is never final; it will eventually come out.
Everyone shows up during a tragedy; divorce, funeral, etc. But maybe show up for people a month later, because that’s when they will probably really need it. Helping people makes people happy. Ask for help. Help others even when you’re sad. Allow yourself time to grieve and be sad. Allow yourself some indulgence. Make time for your hobbies. Savor your positive experiences. Make goals. Look for gratitude. Set yourself up for success by doing things for yourself that make you happy. You have to be responsible for your own happiness and mental health. Make time for self care, see a therapist, take your prescribed prescriptions. There’s no shame in any of these things.