I have made a career centered around mental health and wellness. This week I was invited to join Kevin Frankish of The Happy Molecule and talk about one of my favourite things, happiness. The funny thing is I was excited and terrified all at the same time. It was so fantastic to be asked but like most of us I have been experiencing a bit of CoVid burnout and feeling a bit low to say the least. I was worried I might not have the energy to do it well.

I was having a Brene Brown moment of feeling vulnerable and worried what others might think. What if I couldn’t give the audience what they needed? What if they figure out I am human and experiencing a pandemic just like them? Here is the thing though, I read some of Kevin’s listeners comments online and loved the energy coming from them. I reviewed some of my old blog posts and realized that I have been telling others for years to step outside their comfort zone.  Take a leap, feel the fear and do it anyway. I suspect the universe was giving me a bit of a kick in the butt. Honestly I love when that happens! It was trying to tell me in order to help me I needed to connect with others. Our own growth and mental health is not created in a silo. We build it through our connections with others. Each time we help someone, listen to them or just do a random act of kindness we increase our own positivity.

The hour went by really fast and there was so much to talk about. It surprised me that we filled the time and there was still so much more to share. There were a few comments about feeling discouraged of that it was an impossible task. You are right, a few ideas and 60 minutes isn’t going to change our world but it is a start. Even if you don’t have the energy to do anything about it today, you have learned something and it will be there in your brain for later.

Taking charge of our happiness isn’t about judging or having unrealistic expectations , it is an intentional commitment to yourself. It is showing up in our life and valuing us even when we aren’t okay. Okay, actually especially when we aren’t okay. Oh and here is another thing Covid has taught us. Feelings of sorrow, fury and joy can co-exist in us at the same time. You can be positively pissed off at the world and still be kind. Who knew?! I love that!

We will still be sad, angry, anxious and maybe even feel despair but in amongst this messiness we can create small moments of joy. It is not about negating or avoiding the other feelings but making room for all of it. 

It isn’t without work but it isn’t meant to be overwhelming and we don’t need to do it alone. When we make a choice to find the small things and make connections we are usually helping someone else too without even realizing it.

One small thing each day. There are days where it might be having a shower and getting dressed and just showing up in your life and other days it might be bigger like a chat with a friend and finding laughter for the first time in awhile.  Maybe sending a card that you know will brighten someone else’s day. Nothing is too small, there is no measuring stick other than, did it feel good? 

I am so grateful I chose me on Sunday and said yes! This year has been hard and I miss people actually a lot. An hour with humans willing to invest in their mental health found me recharged and refocused. I am grateful for the lessons this year has taught me and the realization that we are never too old to grow!

I am proud of what I put out there.  For an hour I wasn’t alone in lockdown but with a group of people who also need to connect with people. How beautiful is that?! 

So my message is and always will be, today Be You, Love You, Choose You, You Are So Worth It!