Okay, so I stumbled upon this video by Alex Hormozi, and the title “Stop Trying To Be Happy” really got me. I mean, we’re always chasing happiness, right? So, I decided to really dive into this idea and see if it changed anything for me.
The Experiment Begins
I started by just, you know, living my normal life. But this time, I paid super close attention to the moments I usually try to force happiness. Like, when I’m scrolling through social media, seeing everyone’s “perfect” lives, or when I buy something new, hoping it’ll fill some void.
Instead of chasing that fleeting high, I just… sat with whatever I was feeling. Boredom? Yep. Frustration with work? Definitely. A weird sense of emptiness? Oh yeah.
Getting Uncomfortable
It was super uncomfortable at first. I realized I’m so used to distracting myself from anything remotely unpleasant. But I stuck with it. When I felt that urge to reach for my phone or online shop, I would stop myself and ask, “What am I actually feeling right now?”
I started journaling a lot. Nothing fancy, just scribbling down whatever was in my head. “Annoyed with that meeting,” “Feeling restless,” “Weirdly sad about that movie ending.” Just getting it all out.
The Shift
After a few days of this, something started to shift. I noticed I wasn’t feeling as, well, blah. It wasn’t like I was suddenly bursting with joy, but there was this… calmness. Like, I was okay with just being, even if “being” wasn’t some Instagram-worthy moment.
- I started focusing on the process of things, not just the outcome. Enjoy the process of working on a project, instead of just the finished project.
- I found myself more present in conversations. Actually listening to people instead of waiting for my turn to talk.
- I even enjoyed doing chores more. Weird, I know, but folding laundry became this weirdly meditative thing.
The Outcome
So, did I “stop trying to be happy”? Yeah, I guess I did. And did I end up happier? It’s not that simple. I’d say I ended up more… content. More grounded. Like I don’t need external things to validate my existence.
It’s still a work in progress, of course. I still have those moments where I fall back into old habits. But now, I’m more aware of it. And that awareness, I think, is the key.
It is not about being happy all the time. It is about embrace what you have and becoming a man that can handle that.