Happiness: A 3-Part Journey (Part 3)

Mindfulness: The Key to Finding Happiness in Everyday Moments

Real happiness starts with mindfulness. Simply put, mindfulness means being fully present in the moment, fully tuned in to what you’re doing—without judging it as “good” or “bad.”

Take washing dishes, for example. Imagine standing at the sink, fully focused. You’re not thinking about tomorrow’s to-do list or rehashing yesterday’s drama. Instead, you notice the warmth of the water, the slickness of the soap on your hands, and the sound of the sponge gliding over the plate. As you rinse, you see the bubbles swirl away and feel the dish go from greasy to squeaky clean.

Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, so I’m supposed to find joy in dishwashing? Really?”

Finding Joy in Everyday Moments

Happiness doesn’t have to be tied to major milestones or big, exciting events. Most of it actually comes from the small, everyday moments we tend to overlook. Washing dishes, brushing your teeth, taking a shower—when done mindfully, even these tasks can bring a sense of calm and joy.

Sitting still for a few minutes and focusing on your breathing—just noticing your in-breath and out-breath—is another way to ground yourself. These simple moments can create a surprising amount of peace, allowing you to step away from the constant chatter of your mind.

When you practice mindfulness, you’re less likely to get caught up in wanting, craving, or feeling like something’s missing. A lot of the time, our minds are stuck on autopilot, conditioned by habits, societal expectations, and clever advertising to believe we need more. Mindfulness is like hitting the pause button—it gives you the choice to step out of that cycle.

Getting Off Autopilot

One of the biggest shifts you can make is learning to step away from the constant “go, go, go” and find contentment in just being.

It’s okay to sit quietly and not be “productive” for a while. The world won’t end. In fact, balancing all that doing with some being can bring clarity, calm, and a deeper sense of happiness.

Strategies to Bring More Mindfulness and Joy into Your Life

1. Focus on What You Have, Not What You Don’t
   Stop obsessing over what’s missing or what could be better. Instead, shift your focus to what’s already good in your life. A great way to do this? Start a gratitude journal. Write down three things you’re thankful for every day. Over time, you’ll notice your mindset naturally shifting toward the positive.

2. Reflect on How Far You’ve Come
   Take a look back at your progress. Think about where you were three years ago. Chances are, you’ve grown, learned, and improved in ways you may not even realize. This reflection can boost your confidence and remind you that you’re on the right path.

3. Investigate Your Unhappiness
   When you’re feeling down, try to figure out why. Write it out. Was it caused by something external (that you can’t control) or something internal (like your own expectations or thoughts)? Identifying the source can help you shift your focus or make necessary changes.

4. Take Charge of Your Inner Game
   Happiness comes from within—it’s your mindset, your choices, and how you respond to life. While you can’t control everything that happens to you, you can control how you handle it.

Happiness Is a Choice

At the end of the day, happiness isn’t something that just happens. It’s a decision you make—over and over again. It’s about choosing to see the joy in small moments, appreciating what you have, and finding growth in challenges.

So, take a breath. Be mindful. Let yourself enjoy life’s simple pleasures. And when things get tough, remind yourself: this, too, shall pass. Happiness is always within reach—you just have to choose it.

As the saying goes: “It’s the hard that makes us great.” Embrace all of it—the highs, the lows, and everything in between. That’s where true happiness lives.