Comments on: 8 Ways to Stop Hurting Your Happiness

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 05 Dec 2013 11:27:10 +0000

Thank you for your words!

Im in a pretty dark and self-loathing place right now and I appreciate the tips you give us.

It takes a very strong person to pull themselves out of the darkness and into a happiness they have created. I am determined to be this strong!

By: donna

donna — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 12:56:39 +0000

You are my daily dose of inspiration… thank you and more power to you Marc and Angel.

By: Geraldine

Geraldine — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 14:26:46 +0000

Such amazing posts and such positive inspiration. #8 really stands out for me as I’ve been putting off going back to work for so many reasons but the main one being the feeling that I have nothing to give and that having been at home with my children for so long, the world has evolved and I fear jumping back onto the work wagon, so to speak! Your posts are helping me to come back to life, so thank you… x

By: Marisa

Marisa — Fri, 15 Nov 2013 02:50:13 +0000

I love this, and it’s so timely for me. Lately, I’ve been shifting into a new place where I am forcing myself to stop waiting for the right time to be happy. I think that this has been a barrier to happiness in my past-always thinking that I’ll allow myself to relax and be happy when every piece of my life falls perfectly into place. I own a very busy acupuncture/hypnosis clinic, and in the stress of starting and maintaining a successful business, my own ability to enjoy life fell by the wayside for a long time. I’m just now realizing that there is never a perfect time to hold out for when it comes to happiness; you just need to let it sneak in whenever the opportunity arises!

By: socratezonline

socratezonline — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 13:59:25 +0000

One of my bad habits is going to bed too late. I often find myself doing something late at night or wandering the internet, which makes it so much harder to wake up early the next morning. And I know that there’s nothing better than waking up early in a natural rhythm feeling energized and ready to take on another day!

By: Hiswill

Hiswill — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 07:36:34 +0000

Sometimes I do what makes me unhappy on automatic pilot. I’m not sure why, but I keep struggling forward… Marc, what do you think I can do?

By: Hillary

Hillary — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 02:11:14 +0000

I have been reading your posts for about a year now and always find bits of inspiration! This post really struck me, as I was just thinking about my own happiness today and why at certain times I feel very down and tend to criticize myself. Although I try to be mindful of it, I sometimes find myself wishing that things were different and that certain situations or hardships in my life would just disappear! Another thing I truly struggle with is “eating garbage” and “neglecting my body”, I have struggled with an eating disorder for several years and have trouble accepting my body and I suppose myself for who and what I am meant to be. Thank you for your wonderful posts!

By: Dave Briggs

Dave Briggs — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 20:22:51 +0000

I have often called your point about over-complicating things simply over-thinking things. It can be so easy to be caught in a mental loop that goes nowhere, and drains time and positive energy.

By: Ann

Ann — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 18:09:55 +0000

As much as I know all of these things, I think I need to print this out & post it where I can see it every day!

By: Marc Chernoff

Marc Chernoff — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 16:32:07 +0000

@ J.J.: It sounds like you’re on the right path! Instead of berating yourself for falling short, give yourself credit for making progress. Grow as you go. Let go of how things “should be” so you can see all the great possibilities in front of you. Keep up the great work!

@ Brian W: Absolutely! Continue to take baby steps in the right direction.

@ Christy King: And I am sure that has made a tremendous difference in your happiness. =)

@ Patrik Edblad: You hit the nail on the head, Patrik! I think many of us are guilty of reading an inspiring article and enjoying the read rather than implementing action. So get into action now and begin moving in the right direction.

@ Lee: Good addition! I think the biggest take away from Steven Pressfield’s post is to act and bring your dream to realization. Too many people get stuck in the self-loathing and never take action.

@ Kathy: Ha, we’re all in the same boat! =)

@Buddy: Simple and to the point. I love it!

@Martha Brettschneider: Choose to listen to your own inner voice and give it the opportunity to be heard. Great addition!

@Melissa Webster: I’ve found that scheduling “downtime” makes me feel less guilty. For example I know Saturdays are my day to relax and take time for me. What’s the saying… time spent wasting time isn’t wasted? Schedule that in this week. =)

@Norma: It’s an ongoing process. You’re doing great!

@All: As always, thank you for sharing. As you can see, many of us struggle with similar obstacles. You are not alone. Decide today to be happy and start taking action to a happier, healthier YOU.

By: Scott

Scott — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:53:46 +0000

One of the big things that I believe we need to do is to stop putting work before loved ones. A deadline is never worth the possibility of not being able to spend time around the people you love. More work will be there after you’re finished, but there is never a guarantee that they will be.

By: Norma

Norma — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 12:46:19 +0000

You inspire and motivate me every time I read your blog. My husband passed away Dec 2011 and recently someone told me I hadn’t accepted his death or let him go. I didn’t realize it until reading #1 that maybe she is right. I still walk around feeling like I wish things were different. I don’t want to let him go and maybe it is holding me back. I want to be happy but a part of me is afraid of it too. Since his death I have been working hard on finding myself again, my true identity. I’m taking better care of myself and have lost weight and look better in the process. I have transformed myself but still have a hard time establishing goals for the future….I’m just coasting along…….working and going to school. I sometimes get so burnt out and do absolutely nothing but always feel guilty. There is so much Clutter left in my life that I still need to go through and let go of. Anyway, As always you have me thinking.

By: Alyza

Alyza — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 05:36:52 +0000

I’ve always wanted to be Happy but often I tend to think about things that made me sad and cry. Some part of me feels incomplete but I still believe in God and I always read those happiness tips you write here on your blog site. Every word and phrase you write hits me, so I decided to commit myself in a new mindset where people can understand me and also help those who lose faith and hope. Thanks for INSPRIRING me!!!

By: Betsy

Betsy — Tue, 12 Nov 2013 01:43:55 +0000

Oh my goodness, #1& 8, resisting and confidence. Yep, I could say they all are me, but these are the 2 biggest ones.

I read all of these posts, and yes, you are talking to me. But the best part of it is that everyone else here thinks you are talking to them. We are all the same, but different. Such a great thing. So awesome!

I love reading the comments from your followers. Most are all spot on – all the time.
Christy King, Patrik Edblad and David Rapp – thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thank you Marc & Angel – please keep posting, I am working on baby steps and need the reinforcement.

By: Christie

Christie — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 23:07:55 +0000

I just found your website and I think its wonderful.

Like Nancy, I struggle with “should.” It is a tool I use to torture myself. Whenever I hear the word “should” I start sweating and biting my lips. It is a word that implies there is something I need to be doing, but am not.

As I get older I look for more ways to soak up everything I can from every moment. Lately I have been overdoing it. Its almost like I had to slap my hand and say “Knock it off, now is not the time to do too much.”

Thank you for the great article, and for putting it in list form.

By: Ruma Dak

Ruma Dak — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:59:11 +0000

I have been ignoring my health for few years, until few months ago I realised how much wrong I was doing to myself!

Once I started incorporating good things back into my life, I feel a bit better!

By: Donna Farrell

Donna Farrell — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 22:46:04 +0000

I’m sort of at this place and working hard to get through it, right now. I can relate to so much you have said. This is a big help to me. It came just when I needed it. Thank you, once again!

By: Karla McEvoy

Karla McEvoy — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 21:12:40 +0000

All of your points are great. I struggle with #4 the most.

I have to be careful not to allow my downtime/sleep to be pushed aside. I find it tough to be happy when I’m overtired.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 17:35:08 +0000

Just what I needed to read today. In the midst of changes – foot in two different worlds and feeling overwhelmed about moving forward.

I know alot of what you wrote, and do believe in putting forth the effort; just don’t have that energy atm.

Seems I am stuck in the laws of inertia atm altho I prefer to be stuck in the laws of motion.

Perhaps I am shoulding myself too much!

By: SJ Scott

SJ Scott — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 17:02:57 +0000

Marc,

Powerful stuff. We are often the architects of our own misery.

The path to increased happiness really can be following a few simple steps.

My favorite step is #4. Personally I sometimes find it easy to get caught up in the minutia of work-a-day life and not take time off.

But as you pointed out, time off to rest mind, body and spirit is essential to health and happiness.

-Thanks,

Steve