How often do you wake up in the morning, open your eyes and stretch and then remember the burdens of the day ahead, the weight on your shoulders of yesterday or even the anxiety caused by the concerns of tomorrow? Well, I’m here to tell you that life is a journey and despite what you perceive as failures, issues or problems, it’s ok to be happy.

In a world that is constantly changing, we tend to always be under pressure. We are always trying for more; to achieve more, to be more productive, to do more for others, to buy more for our money, to do better or to try harder. This pressure can understandably force us into a negative cycle of thinking we aren’t good enough or of criticising our own attempts. We begin to focus more on what is going wrong, rather than what is going right.

Don’t get me wrong, we have talked before about it being ok to have a bad day; to not be productive 24/7 and to feel whatever it is you need to feel but it’s also important that even when we feel that life is rough that we make an effort to acknowledge the beauty that is also in our lives. After all, our feelings are a part of us but we don’t have to let them become us.  Yes, we will have those days, where nothing goes well, we may unintentionally hurt someone’s feelings or feel that we have made a huge mistake – but despite it all we are still worthy of happiness. 

In fact, we are not just worthy of happiness, we are worthy of treating ourselves the best way that we can in life – and we deserve it. Why save the best for a special occasion or until you feel you deserve it? You deserve it and are worthy of it right now. Wear your best dress, use the best crockery, buy your favourite treat, arrange a date night, pick some flowers, head to the beach. Do those things that you love. Whatever it takes to put a smile on your face.

Invest in your own happiness.

And no, it's not selfish. Allowing yourself to be happy is probably one of the very best things that you can do for yourself.  It will help you to be the brighter, happier, loving, kind and most generous version of yourself and how could that not be good for others too?!

So, this week, take pleasure in the little things; really feel rain on your skin,  paddle in the sea, smell wild flowers on the side of the road, appreciate the warm water and the smell of your shower gel, enjoy time with your family and make an effort to smile and laugh.

You may have had a tough, day, week, month or year but you are the author of your own story and your story isn’t fully written just yet.