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Can you really be happy and busy at the same time?

Can you really be happy and busy at the same time?

While impatiently sitting in my car at a set of lights, after rushing from the supermarket, to pick the kids up from school and then off again to someone’s sports practise, I noticed the registration plate of the car in front of me.  It said “IMBUSY”.

Article by Astrid McCallum

My first thought was to smirk, laugh a little and say to myself – “Aren’t we all honey?” My second thought was “No way – that is so sad.” Has it really come to this? Is a kinda-boasty number plate the epitome of the glorification of busy? 

If you really want to be happy, you can, in spite of all the crazy happening around you. 

At some point in life, we’re all going to face difficulties, challenges and hard situations – difficulties that make us feel busy and rushed are a part of life. They could come from trauma, friendships, kids, or just having everything happen all at once. So many people believe that happiness is directly related to having pleasure, it shouldn’t require any work to achieve and if you don’t have anything or you’re not working really hard to get it, you’re not going to be happy.

Commuting - can you be happy and busy

However, even though I ride the same roller coaster, I struggle with this philosophy. I don’t want my life to be this way and I certainly don’t want my kids to think that having everything go well, at a pace we can handle, is what being happy depends on.

Happiness can depend solely on you! 

Say what? I mean, if you really want to be happy, you can, in spite of all the crazy happening around you.  You can be happy and busy and even overwhelmed, all at the same time!

So, here are some tips to find YOUR happy.

How to be happy and busy at the same time

Appreciate and embrace the moment.

If you’re living in the present but you’re constantly thinking about the past or worrying about the future, you won’t be able to enjoy this very moment you’re in right now. This is a biggy and sometimes when you’re constantly rushing, you don’t actual appreciate the here and now. This is with all things. Family, friends, kids, self-care, food. When was the last time you sat and really tasted the amazing meal you just cooked? Or live your real Heartfelt Life? Learn to enjoy the emotional and physical pleasures before they are over.

Adjust your perspective.

Difficult situations are just going to happen. I think we all realise that, but you don’t have to be completed influenced by these circumstances. You have a choice. Adjusting your perspective and attitude about what is happening can have a huge impact on our stress levels as well as our happiness.

+ Related: Can you actually choose happy? +

Be thankful.

Many people who are not so happy, often have forgotten, or don’t know how to be thankful or grateful. They’re always wanting something else. 

Now I’m not going to tell you that you need to sell everything you own, join a commune and sing kumbayah to be happy, but always feeling unsatisfied is one sure way to grumpy town. That can affect your whole family – the ones that love you most? Why not accept the reality? Accepting everything about your already-amazing life will set you free from stress, worries and doubts.  It will bring you a true happiness in whatever circumstance.

I’m not going to tell you that you need to sell everything you own, join a commune and sing kumbayah to be happy, but always feeling unsatisfied is one sure way to grumpy town.

Happiness requires a little effort.

Happiness depends on you, no one else, just you. The way you approach life has a lot to do with your own happiness. When you’re busy, your mind can easily go to the negative of every situation. Slow down and really think about how this is setting you back.  Is there another way to look at the situation? This is also true when teaching our kids or allowing them to learn their own lesson.

+ Related: We need to stop being so available to our kids +

It takes effort to stop and challenge the default response though. But it’s so worth it when you strive to live happy every day.  You’ll become strong enough to calmly face any storm that comes your way.

Happy and busy at the same time

Stick to your belief system.

This is a good one.  You need to apply and live to your own expectations.  Not anyone else’s.  It’s easy to take on other peoples’ views, those of our partner, parents or peers.  Find your belief: it will be your guide on how you feel happy in your life.  It will give direction and purpose.

Find your belief: it will be your guide on how you feel happy in your life.

Being dragged into the latest food fad, exercise regime (when you know it doesn’t work for you), or doing something you really don’t want to, puts too much pressure on you and/or your family  and can lead to resentment, discontent, disconnect and a whole world of unhappiness.  Learning to say “no” can change the way you feel about yourself and your beliefs.

Nourish your body.

What you put in your mouth has a direct relationship to your brain and how you feel.  Get the good stuff in and you’ll find that you can deal with so much more of the ups and downs.  Our thyroid, adrenals, pituitary, hypothalamus, pancreas and sex glands – are all involved in helping us to feel calm, metabolise our food effectively, our coping ability and happiness through hormone release.  Keeping these hormones balanced can be one tricky act when we’re constantly on the go, stressed, not eating well and always giving.

You might not be able to control everything that happens in your life, but you can control how you feel and respond to them.  Be kind to yourself and work through these tips to find your happy.  So yes, you can be super busy and happy.  It’s just the way you look at it. 

+ Related: 5 ways to be more kind to yourself +

Feature image by Matthew T Rader; 2 by rawpixel.com; 3 by bruce mars 

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Astrid is the founder of Ryett Healthy Habits and is a qualified Nutritionist (Adv.Dip/Nut.Med) and Life Coach. Focusing on women finding their healthy body, mind, healing from burnout through food, exercise, and mindfulness practices. Balancing the “business” of life so they can live in their most happy and comfortable self.

She is a passionate advocate for getting back to whole foods, nutrition education and believes that physical and mental wellbeing can all start on your plate. As a wife and mum of two boys, she understands taking small easy steps and just keeping life real.

Astrid offers programs and services including individual consultations and coaching, grouping coaching and speaking engagements.

Find her at Ryett Healthy Habits, on Facebook and on Instagram.