10 signs you're not as happy as you could be
How many surprise you?
In 2016, I thought my life was pretty good.
I had a job I was hella proud of and had spent my whole life working towards.
My weekends were filled with nights out and lunch dates with friends for months in advance.
And my husband and I had just bought a house together and were on the way to getting a cat.
Life doesn't get better than that right?
I didn't realise how many ways I was unhappy day-to-day.
Or, to put it more bluntly, I thought those little upsets were normal.
I genuinely didn't think life got much better.
So I've created a list "10 signs you're not as happy as you think you are", to help you see if there are ways you're missing happiness in your life.
10 signs I'm not as happy as I could be
1. I have no self-confidence.
Tasks at work that I've done a hundred times and I'm more than capable of completing, make me feel anxious.
2. Everything feels urgent.
That card I keep forgetting to post? It doesn't matter that it's 9pm, it needs to be posted NOW,
3. My to-do list is totally overwhelming.
I have no idea where to start or to how to get it all done.
4. I take everything super personally and am easily offended.
One jokey comment from my husband about how much washing there is to do and I think I'm a horrible lazy person
5. I start trying to micro-plan everything and reject any spontaneity.
So no, we absolutely can not stop at Tesco on the way home for more milk
6. If something doesn't go exactly as planned, I can't cope, snapping at people close to me.
I mean, we said dinner would be ready at 7.30pm, it's now 7.35pm, so it's totally reasonable to be cross.
7. Perfectionism goes to town and I need everything to be done a certain way.
The peas take 2.5 mins to cook and they've been on the hob for 3mins. What. The. Hell?!
8. I find myself thinking of worse case scenarios.
Not seen the cat in 5 minutes? She's totally dead somewhere.
9. Simple decisions are difficult
Do we have fish and chips for tea? Or salad? Fish and chips with salad? Left overs? Gahhh!
10. I feel relief when completing something difficult rather than pride
Because I'm just so happy it's over and that no-one died.
Then to now
I've gone from experiencing most of these EVERY SINGLE DAY, to now, where if I experience any of them, it makes me pause and go "hang on a minute, what's off to make me think or feel that way?".
Talk about a lifestyle change 🤯
So today, have a little look at the list and see which ones you're experiencing on a regular or daily basis.
Then if you’re feeling brave (LET GO OF THAT PERFECTIONISM), let me know in the comments* which are your biggest ones - and I’ll share some tips to get over them.
*To leave a comment, press the speech bubble under the title or near the bottom of the email.
Sending lots of love,
Lucy x
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I love how you highlighted the irony of perfectionism leading to unhappiness. It's like chasing a mirage – the harder we strive for flawlessness, the more elusive it becomes, and the more frustrated we feel. Your point about the peas and the 3-minute cook time had me laughing out loud because I've totally been there!
Geez. Do I have to comment with a number? 🤪 The only thing I dislike about commenting is needing to go back and reference something and discover if I do, what I wrote up to going back is discarded.
Right now is that wonderful time between wake and sleep when all things are possible.
Okay. Number?
Never mind. It's the list overwhelm thing.
But I'm pretty good with lists now. I write one at a time on post-it notes --- then move them from do to done to celebrate.
Keep scribing sista!