SELF IMPROVEMENT
Don’t Chase Happiness. Become Antifragile
You’re chasing someone else’s definition of happiness
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee tickled my senses as I settled into my favorite armchair, journal, and pen in hand. I had a big decision to make today.
My job was making me miserable, but it paid well. Quitting seemed scary, not knowing where I’d find joy or purpose next.
As I scribbled in my journal, my cat Mochi leaped up and headbutted my hand.
“You just want breakfast, don’t you?”
I chuckled, giving her a scratch behind the ears. Mochi purred contentedly.
Her presence made me smile. It reminded me of a quote I’d read once:
“Don’t chase happiness. Attract it by being who you are.”
Mochi didn’t chase happiness. She followed her instincts and did what she loved, and happiness followed.
I gazed out the window, watching the sunrise cast golden light on the maple tree. Its leaves shimmered like flakes of emerald glitter. A robin hopped along the fence warbling its morning song.
The natural world seemed so resilient, bending but not breaking. I wished I could be like that tree or robin — antifragile, growing stronger under stress.
My phone chirped with a text notification, jolting me from my contemplation. It was my friend, Sam, asking to meet for coffee.
“Perfect timing!” I messaged back.
Sam always knew how to lift my spirits.
We met at our favorite cafe, the scent of roasted coffee beans and the sound of steaming milk soothing my soul. Sam listened intently as I shared my angst about work.
“You know what your problem is?” Sam asked.
“You’re chasing someone else’s definition of happiness, not nurturing your own. Stop putting so much pressure on yourself to have it all figured out.”
Sam was right. I’d been so focused on chasing career status and money that I’d lost touch with what really mattered to me — my values, passions, and well-being.
I thought about the maple tree again, standing firmly rooted yet bending gracefully in the wind. Its presence was a lesson in resilience.
As I said goodbye to Sam and strolled home, I noticed puffy white clouds drifting across the blue sky. I used to feel small looking up at that expanse. Now it gave me hope.
There were infinite possibilities up there. I could stop chasing and start attracting the right opportunities by being unapologetically me. It was time to bend, not break.
When I arrived home, Mochi greeted me at the door, her rumbling purr soothing my anxiety. I scooped her up in my arms.
“You really are my little zen master”
I said, planting a kiss on her furry head. She blinked slowly and snuggled into my embrace.
With Mochi on my lap, I pulled out my journal again. I wrote down everything that brought me joy — cooking, painting, hiking, and meaningful work.
I vowed to start attracting those things instead of chasing someone else’s dreams.
As the amber hues of sunset spilled across the sky, I made my decision. Tomorrow I will quit my unfulfilling job.
I would be more like that maple tree — firmly rooted yet flexible, finding fulfillment on my own terms. Uncertainty still loomed, but I felt ready to bend.
