🌀 The Happiness Paradox

🌀 The Happiness Paradox

We know what makes us happy—so why don’t we do it?

I’ve been sitting with this a lot lately.

Almost every client I work with wants the same thing at their core:

To feel alive. At peace. Fulfilled.

In other words—happy.

But here’s the paradox…

We already know what brings us happiness.

Being in nature. Moving our bodies. Deep connection. Time with loved ones. Doing meaningful work.

Yet… we often don’t do it.

A few years ago, I was running global brands, always “on”, flying first class… and secretly miserable.

I was chasing happiness at the end of every goalpost—

thinking more success, more money, more recognition would eventually deliver it.

But it didn’t.

What changed everything?

I stopped postponing happiness.

Instead of waiting for the “perfect” moment, I started creating small, intentional ones.

Moments of presence. Joy. Adventure. Stillness.

💡 What I’ve Learned:

We don’t have a knowing problem—we have a doing problem.

We tell ourselves we’ll rest “once things calm down.”

We’ll reconnect with joy “after this next launch / quarter / project.”

But if we’re not careful, life becomes one long delay.

I see it in clients too—driven, high-achieving, brilliant people who’ve lost touch with what they actually want.

Because they’re living in service of a future that never arrives.

So what do we do?

Here’s what I come back to again and again (and what I encourage my clients to explore):

✅ Presence over productivity

Turn off the noise. Be with your partner, your kids, your thoughts—fully.

✅ Book joy like a meeting

Ice baths, wild swims, hikes, hammocks… I schedule them in. Otherwise, they don’t happen.

✅ Get honest about your WHY

Is your current pace of life aligned with your values—or is it just habit?

✅ Start ridiculously small

You don’t need to overhaul your life. Just shift your attention. A walk. A breath. A moment.

✅ Celebrate the ordinary

A good coffee. A deep laugh. A quiet moment in the garden. This is it.

🙏 What truly anchors me now?

Gratitude and compassion.

They’ve become daily practices, not just nice ideas.

Gratitude reminds me there’s already so much to be thankful for.

Compassion helps me soften when I fall short—and show up for others more fully.

When I look back, the moments that stand out aren’t the milestones.

They’re the messy, magical, ordinary ones I almost missed.

One of the top regrets of the dying is “I wish I’d let myself be happier.”

Not richer.

Not more impressive.

Just… happier.

So don’t wait.

Choose happiness. Choose simplicity. Choose now.

Reading Recommendation 📘

The Art Of Happiness by The Dalai Lama.

Reading this book was a massive turning point for me

.

In it he essentially says, if I told you could have all the success, money, love, chocolate, whatever, in the world but it would make you unhappy, you wouldn’t want it because what you’re actually looking for is happiness.

That simple but profound realisation was a game changer for me.

The question you have to ask yourself is:

Will it give me pleasure or will it make me happy? Pleasure is fleeting but happiness is a foundational state you cultivate.

Let me know—what small moment brought you joy this week?