In my last post, Let’s be Honest, You’re Probably Living for Society, I asked what happens when you start living for your own happiness and not the happiness that stems from pleasing others? I mean, it’s true isn’t it? You probably wouldn’t spend so much time in the mornings picking out your outfit if no one was around to see it. You probably wouldn’t spend all your savings on a foreign car if you had no one around to impress. You probably wouldn’t spend so much time picking out the perfect Instagram photo showcasing flawless poses and angles if you had no followers to view them. Most of us are living for society’s approval! The compliments we get from such superficial things have the power to brighten the worst of our days. Even I am guilty of this. And because I am, I really wanted to think of a way that I could shift my “happiness that stems from approval” to happiness that stems from myself.

First, I decided to eliminate society. If the world were completely empty, then there would be no society. If you were alone in the world, there would be no one around telling you what you should look like or what your car should look like or your home or your life. You will be forced to find happiness within yourself.

Now imagine you get to choose who and what you want in this world based on what brings you genuine happiness.

So ask yourself, “What are some things that make me genuinely happy?” And no, not the new Kylie Jenner makeup palette. I am talking about the things that fill you with joy when you are all alone. Remember, you are the last person on earth so no one will be around to see your makeup or your shoe collection anyway.

My personal answer to this question would have to be music, art, FOOD, helping others, and Netflix!

Now think about who brings you genuine happiness? And no, not the followers on Instagram you try to impress or the people you call friends that wouldn’t pick up the phone when you need them the most. I am asking who genuinely brings you joy just by seeing their face or hearing their voice? The people that love you for who you are, no matter what you look like or what your personality is. The people that support your vision and goals. The people you could be 100% yourself around.

My answer would have to be God, my family, my closest friends, and/or my significant other. They all bring me so much joy and they accept me for me, no matter what shoes are on my feet.

Think about your answers, write them down or make a mental note. Imagine if these things and those people that you value were the only things on earth. Wouldn’t life be so great?

I know this is physically impossible to do. But if you decide to made these things and these people a priority in your life and forgot about pleasing everyone else, I believe you and even I would truly be happy & content in life.

Forget about the outside voices. Block out what doesn’t matter in your life. If we are putting the things that make us genuinely happy first in life, then we are ultimately living for ourselves.

Create your own little world. Invest in yourself. Invest in your dreams. Keep your supporters close and support them back. Do more things that make you happy. And forget about the opinions of those that add nothing beneficial to your well-being.

Love ya’ll!

Brittany Kayla