Whenever I ask the question, “What should I do with my life?” people tend to respond with, “Do what makes you happy.” This is such a loaded response because:
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I am a bit fickle so what makes me happy today, may not make me happy tomorrow. #Human
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What if I find that thing and it’s not lucrative? #IHaveToEat
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What if I find something that makes me happy, but I still have to deal with things that make me unhappy, thus cancelling out my happiness? #FirstWorldProblems
That’s right ladies and gentlemen, when it comes to life, I have doubts. Serious doubts. I need to know the answer to this question. How, how, how? If you are also searching for answers, let me save you some stress and a crap-ton of time. You are never going to find a solution to this question. It’s not something you can ever check off of your to-do list. It is a permanent and grueling task.
At this point, you may be wondering why I felt the need to write an article about a lifelong issue that cannot be resolved. Well, to contradict myself, of course.
Yay!
I have discovered the only thing that ever truly makes me happy, consistently, is when I help others in need. Specifically, when I give someone a word of advice or encouragement and it helps them solve, or at least, feel better about a challenge they may be facing in their life at the time.
So if you’re like me (and I know you are because #Human, remember?) you can’t find the answer to life’s most difficult question because you are asking the wrong question. You should be asking, “How do I like to help others?” I suspect you may already know, and if you do, do more of whatever that thing is. Say goodbye to temporary fulfillment and say hello to full-time happiness. No one can ever take away that moment you helped someone in need. It is seared into the memory of the universe. FOREVER. And yes, I am well aware this sounds cliche, but you guys, it’s totally the answer you have been looking for. I promise!
On that note, I am so happy to be back. I’ve missed you all and I am ready to help.
Now go out and help someone!
xoxo,
JOY
YAY, FIRST POST!!!
Being in ours 20s is so weird. The first couple of years I felt like a giant adult-baby, wandering around, bumping into things, crying a lot. Now at 25, I feel like I’m 17 again–anxiously awaiting the next chapter, desperately trying to figure out what comes next. My biggest struggle has always been appreciating where I am now. But eventually it all comes together how it’s supposed to, right?
Yes, I believe we ultimately end up where we are supposed to be whenever we are meant to be there, but it doesn’t mean you always like where you are supposed to be. Oh, life!
-JOY