Monday, February 6, 2017

Random Thoughts :: How To Be Happy & Content In Life

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With the goal of not following any formal structure or guidelines in mind, today's topic is a little different. Inspired by the fact that I spent $0.00 for the entire month of January on clothes/beauty products/shoes, I wanted to share my thoughts on how to be happy and content with life. I wasn't forcing myself not to shop. I just didn't feel like I need anything. Please note that I am not trying to be a preacher. This blog is just simply a platform for me to share my thoughts with you whether it's a new purchase, a handbag review or just something on my mind in general. I am at the point in my life that I can honestly say I am happy and content. Trust me, it's not easy and I've come a long way. We live in a material world and social media plays a major role in creating a consumerist society. If you feel compelled to keep up with the Joneses, you're not alone. During my early days of blogging, I definitely felt the need to do so and let me tell you, it was exhausting. I learned a few things over the years and I am here to share them with you. Once in a while, we all need a little reminder =) Outfit details: Express jeans | Shein duster coat | GAP tee | Hermes belt | Tom Ford sunglass | Public Desire OTK boots

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1. Learn to appreciate what you have instead of focus on what you don't haveSeems logical right? Instead of thinking about the next handbag that you can't afford, let's concentrate on what you DO have in your closet. My husband and I are extremely grateful to be able to build the home of our dreams, have beautiful children and stable careers. I had the same conversation with one of my co-workers and she said it's easy for you to say so because you already have those things. I completely understand. However, everyone has something different to be thankful for whether it's a home, a car, a family, a job, their heath. Focus on what you have, not on what you don't. I will never forget what my husband told me years ago - He said "you can have everything but you can't have everything at once". It's so true. Work hard and you will eventually have everything you want in life.

2. Setting goals, expectations and priorities: I can't stretch enough the importance of setting goals and priorities. I mentioned a few times on here, at the beginning of each year, my husband and I sit down and set new goals/priorities for the year ahead. With the mortgage, kids and everything else in between, there isn't much room for luxury purchases. However, I put aside a small amount each month towards a special purchase. It does take quite a bit of time to fulfill that purchase. However, the feeling of owning something that you've been saving up for is incredibly rewarding. I promise you, you'll feel content to have something that you've worked so hard to get. Because you've worked so hard for it, you don't feel the need to replace it with something else so quickly. You'll appreciate the item you waited for so much more than an impulse purchase.

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3. Enjoy what you've accomplished so far: Will luxury purchases make me happy? Absolutely! However, those excitements are short-lived. When the feelings of excitement fade, you will be looking into buying something new. It becomes a never ending cycle and is exhausting (physically and financially). So you dreamed of owning a Chanel bag for years. The bag is finally in your possession, do you carry it frequently or is it sitting pretty in your closet collecting dust? I am definitely guilty of this too. Instead of thinking about the next purchase, enjoy what you've accomplished so far. You worked so hard to acquire your dream bag, enjoy it!

4. Surround yourself with people who make you happy: Cutting negative people out of your life is not always easy but is vital to your happiness. I know I mention my husband quite a bit in this post but he truly is my best friend. I love that we can talk about anything from the most important things to non-sense stuff. He may not be interested in everything I have to say but he will for sure listen and be present. Because of him, I don't feel a need to have a big group of friends. I just need a few who make me happy. Of course my family is and always will be a big part of my life.

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5. It's important to love yourself first: Nobody can make you happy until you're happy with yourself first. I am a huge believer in rewarding myself (it doesn't always have to be extravagant). Splurge on small things that make you happy. One thing I don't mind splurging on is my morning coffee. For some people, spending $5 every single day on coffee is excessive but I am willing to cut back on other things (i.e. pack my lunch everyday, not eating out as much on the weekend). Having a cup of coffee in the morning certainly affects my whole workday. If spending $5 on coffee makes me happy then so be it.

To wrap up this post, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes "Contentment does not mean that I desire nothing but rather, it's the simple decision to be happy with what I have .” — Paula Rotto

6 comments:

Elaine said...

Great sharing!
I completely agreed with you! I have the similar thoughts recently and I'm at a very happy and content stage that I don't need any more new handbags etc to make me happy :) Of course I still appreciate pretty luxury items from time to time, but I don't feel the exhaustion and need of chasing them any more :)

l.uhm said...

Hi Sydney- I like your comments and your blog. It is refreshing to hear sometimes that NOT buying anything is the real accomplishment!! Sydney I had a question about your OTKBoots link....when I press the link it goes to the Tom Ford sunglasses. Can you let me know what brand those boots are? Just wondering if they are the Stuart Weitzmann or if you got a great duplicate. They look great whatever the brand.

Dash of Fash and Finance said...

You look very pretty Sydney! Adore the jacket! Have a blessed week ahead!

Tiff
Http://www.dashoffashandfinance.com

Sydney's Fashion Diary said...

@l.uhm I fixed the link. Sorry, I was in a rush =). They're just a dup (not Stuart Weitzman). I reviewed them last year here. So far so good. For under $60, I still think they're great. Thanks for stopping by!

l.uhm said...

Thanks! They look like very good dupes! I like the SW boots (who wouldn't- everyone raves about them) but I'm not committed to paying that price at this point in my life for OTK boots. Thanks for finding and reviewing these!

Anonymous said...

Great post!