You Deserve Authentic Happiness

posted 11th May 2010    Written by: Nicole Antoinette    CATEGORY: Inspiration, Nicole Antoinette, Quarterlife Crisis, Season 2

The breaking point in my Quarterlife Crisis came this past summer, when I left an emotionally crippling job and took off on a three month backpacking trip across the country. Traveling was harder than I thought it would be, proving the cliche but oh so true saying that, “wherever you go, there you are.”

Constantly on the move, one of my biggest challenges was staying balanced and trying to maintain an emotionally grounded life while all of the physical aspects of it were constantly in limbo.

A few weeks into my trip, before I ever knew I’d wind up blogging over here at Stratejoy come 2010, I signed on to complete Molly’s happiness course, The Joy Equation: A 30 Day Guide To Living Life On Purpose. Going through this course, which includes journal prompts and audio sessions and a 40 page Joy Plan Workbook, put me in touch with myself at exactly the right time, gently challenging me to think about who I am and who I want to be, and what I have to do to bridge the ever widening gap between the two.

Throughout the 30 days, The Joy Equation inspired me without being preachy, made me think without being overwhelming, kept me interested without requiring a huge time commitment, and remained consistently fun. My favorite part about the course was that it inspired me to evaluate and reevaluate my definition of happiness and really give pause about what it means to show up for the world every single day.

During week three of the course (the part where you’re examining your big dreams), I came across one of the most thought provoking quotes in the Joy Plan Workbook, a quote that said, “Failure’s hard, but success is far more dangerous. If you’re successful at the wrong thing, the mix of praise and money and opportunity can lock you in forever.”

I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately, about how much easier it’s been to get over the things that haven’t worked, the things I haven’t succeeded at, than it has been to walk away from situations that I excelled at, but didn’t love. I think a lot of people experience this same feeling, actually, the feeling of being trapped by things that are just good enough to not require an immediate fix. That’s what settling is, right? Accepting something simply because it works and it’s there and we’re either too lazy or too afraid to climb one rung higher on the ladder of unknown possibilities to see what we could have instead.

With my 25th birthday only a month away, I think it’s time for another authentic happiness gut check. I’d really like to start all over again with this course and go for round two of Nicole Gets to Know Nicole, especially given how much has changed in my life since my initial foray into happiness exploration.

You should do it too. And then we can all talk about it. Over margaritas and hugs.

p.s.  Editor’s note:  Um, yes. This is some subtle foreshadowing of the “Big Announcement” on Thursday!  If you’re not on the Jolts ‘o Joy eNewsletter list, make it happen.  Upper right corner.  And then just sit tight, because some help with the “pricing” (hint, hint) of the Joy Equation Course is coming soon.  A.K.A. Thursday…

photo credit: alicepopkorn

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Comments (12)

12 Responses to “You Deserve Authentic Happiness”

  • doniree Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    I started the Joy Equation course last year and never completed it, and have always bookmarked it as something to come back to, that I really do want to finish and go balls out with. Thanks for the reminder and the inspiration to pick that book back up :)

  • Manderz Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 9:43 am

    I keep thinking about signing up for it, but always say “oh I’m not at a point where I can figure that stuff out”. I’m thinking I just need to take the plunge on Thursday.

  • April Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    I can't even thank you enough for sending this out. I'm not able to talk about it on my blog, but I've needed and wanted a change for longer than I can remember. I've made the decision to take a leap and it's just a matter of the financial ability. But money and stability has locked me in for far too long…and this little excercise seems like a great idea to process through the "what comes next".

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 5:53 pm

    Balls out. Oh yes! That's the way to do it! Break that book back out Doni!

    p.s. So excited to see you in Vegas!

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 5:54 pm

    That is such a common "putting off" thought! But really, what BETTER time than now?! (Well, Thursday!)

    xo

  • nicoleisbetter Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    We can do it together!!

  • nicoleisbetter Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 6:40 pm

    Yes! Do it! Wee!

  • Molly_Hoyne Says:
    May 11th, 2010 at 8:33 pm

    Money and stability can totally be "golden handcuffs". It's totally common and one of the harder spots to break out of, April. The course will be perfect for figuring out the "whys" behind the leap & help secure your thoughts & actions around the money part.

    I'm so glad this found you at the perfect time. xoxo

  • doniree Says:
    May 12th, 2010 at 7:21 pm

    Starting June 1?

  • suki Says:
    May 13th, 2010 at 10:26 pm

    just saw the announcement. very excited on getting started! :)

  • Brody Says:
    May 14th, 2010 at 8:25 am

    Thanks for pointing towards your Stratejoy blog from Twitter, Nicole! That's how I found out about this place, and I just signed up for the 30 day thing and am starting my first journal prompt today. Scaryawesomecool!

  • nicoleisbetter Says:
    May 18th, 2010 at 6:01 am

    Yay Brody, so exciting!!

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