Can we talk about happiness -- whether you mostly are, or aren't?
Take a look at this gum tree I saw in Melbourne. Blossoms, gum nuts. People walk by them all the time. Did you see the bee, lurking...or just the flowers?
That's exactly like happiness: FLOWERS!! With one unpredictable bee.
I don't know how you make yourself happy. For me, it works like this:
Some of you know I collaborated on a book, Choosing Happiness, way back when I was pregnant with Elijah, way before Gretchen Rubin made happiness a Thing. It was an incredible experience -- published worldwide, translated, still selling, the whole shebang -- and it got me thinking that I'd like to write my own book one day. So, ten years later, I went off and did it. Twice, so far. So. Much. Fun.
Writing makes me happy.
What does it for you? Do you know (yet)?
Getting creative will make you happier...
Not because you will be famous.
Not because people will follow you, or think better of you.
Not because your work will change lives.
But just because, in the quiet of your own house, in your own space, you will have the pure joy of making something that's yours. I'm a cheerleader by nature and a champion for creativity, like my "friend" Liz Gilbert. Here's why. Because being uniquely, creatively you, writing or singing or making jewellery or starting a business or whatever you do, is worth it. It feels good. It will make you happy.
If not now, when?
Is there something stopping your creativity? Is it age, inexperience, embarrassment, procrastination, fear?
Here's the truth: all those worries are mostly noise, like an unpredictable bee.
x Catherine
PS. For the most fun, creative Aussie photo, check out my Instagram today! Aussies are so fab -- we'll "have a crack at everything." Even this.
