What do you want to be when you grow up?

Weird is probably a strong word, but I always found it ‘odd’ that most kids when asked what they want to do or be when they grow up, usually have an answer of some kind - no matter how unrealistic it may be - but it’s usually something tangible like being a teacher, a doctor, a penguin trainer…

I seemed to, from a seriously young age, forever be chasing the elusive goal of happiness. I just wanted to feel good on the inside.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Happy.

Yeah but what will that be, how will you become happy – through travelling the world, healing people, teaching people, being an engineer?

I just want to be happy, as I am. At peace.

At the time, I thought I was far ahead of most.

However, now I look back and realise that all it tells me is that prior to now, I haven't really felt truly at peace within myself.

I already knew that happiness had nothing to do with anything I could be offered or earn externally. It wasn’t about material or tangible things.

It’s more like a secret club: you’re either in or you’re out. And the key to getting in?

Choosing joy, no matter what.

Happiness isn’t a reward; it’s a state of being. It’s not something we acquire, but something we cultivate. Happiness isn’t about having more. It’s about being more. It’s a choice, a perspective.

It’s about embracing the moment, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

Like a tickle fight. You don’t have to be ticklish. You choose to be ticklish. You choose to enjoy the moment.

Don’t get me wrong – I wanted it all - the world tours, the soulmate, friendship, adventure, the whole 9 yards! I’m not dead!

But I think the thing that differentiates my definition of happiness and others is that I never thought any of those things would bring me happiness. It’s like I just ‘knew’ happiness was something inside me that I created. I knew happiness was like a magic trick: all in the mind. I had to learn to conjure it up myself. Fueled by the energy of my own soul.

I get it! Life is full of noise!

After-school activities, pick up’s and drop off’s, corporate town hall meetings, visits to the mechanic, birthdays and anniversaries…

The question is, do you tune it out and listen to your inner voice, or do you let it drown you out?

In my humble opinion, the universe is inside you.

You create you, you create the energy inside you that extends outwards, seeping out of you and attracting experiences and people who align. That ball of accumulated energy creates the world you live in and the opportunities you reap.

I know, I'm a real joy to be around, aren't I?

Winning the lottery? Sign me up!

I'd love to trade my worries for a pile of cash.

Could financial freedom make happiness easier? Absolutely!

I mean, imagine a life without financial stress, where you could travel on a whim, no more worrying about bills, spontaneous trips to anywhere in the world…

Is that the ingredient that CREATES whether you are happy or not?

Not in my opinion.

Okay, let's play pretend. Imagine you're part of the

'Happiness is Homemade' club, just for a minute.

So, how do we conjure up happiness from thin air?

My first thoughts are the usual suspects: boundaries, mindfulness, and self-care. But are these just buzzwords, empty phrases we’ve been conditioned to repeat?

Maybe they are. But, when I think of what makes ME happy, it does seem to align with those overused buzzwords I despise.

Let’s delve…

I'm a self-proclaimed Sleep Nazi.

If I don’t get good sleep, I’m literally no good to anyone – even myself.

It’s the quickest route to un-happiness for me.

So, I've got this whole sleep ritual down. In fact, at night, I transform into a sleep superhero. I don my blue-light blocking glasses, perform secret vagus nerve massages, and attempt the 'feet-up-the-wall' yoga pose and I have my CPAP machine - it's like a personal sleep guardian angel, or a noisy roommate, depending on the night. But hey, if it means I wake up feeling like a human and not a zombie, I'll take it. I even rage journal to unleash my inner beast!

And of course, I follow the sleep commandments: no late-night feasts, no nightcaps, and a cool, dark room (22 degrees celsius), with my George Michael blue blockers on before bed, plus in the morning, I make sure I get 15 mins of proper sunlight (to put my circadian rhythm into sync for the evening!)

The next stop on the happiness train is the mental health station.

‍We're talking gratitude, rage journaling, boundary-setting, and self-sovereignty– I mean you can't be happy if you are a puppet on someone else’s string!

It might seem easier to go with the flow and please everyone, but the truth is, it’s often harder in the long run. Choosing to stand up for yourself, setting boundaries, and prioritising your own needs might be tough in the moment, but it’s a choice that will ultimately lead to greater happiness and fulfillment. So, next time you face a tough decision, remember to choose your hard!

There are a bunch of other simple practices that can help, like daily journaling, gratitude lists, or grounding yourself in nature for 20 minutes. But the real key is remembering this one thing: you do you. Focus on your own path, and don't worry about what others are doing or thinking. Let them live their lives, and let yourself live yours.

Last but not least, let's talk about the good old-fashioned stuff: physical health. After all, a healthy body leads to a healthy mind.

So I do lots of cool things. Well, I think they are cool.

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I'm always experimenting with new ways to fuel my body.

I've ditched tap water for hydrogen-infused H2O, and I've cut back on gluten and dairy.

I'm a juice junkie, but I do it the right way – mostly veggies with a splash of fruit.

And don't even get me started on my green powder obsession!

It's like a superhero supplement for my smoothies.

Small steps, big impact, right?

So, my secret to happiness?

The trifecta of sleep, mindset & health.

It's a simple recipe, but it works wonders!

...But the first step to happiness is realising that it's within your power to create it.

It's an inside job.

Once you've got that,

the rest falls into place...

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