This is not officially a part of Breakthrough Boot Camp, but you might find yourself dealing with this situation when you've made changes in your life for the better: sometimes being happy makes you unpopular.
It's insane that I even felt the need to write about this topic, but there are certain people in life that will try to make you feel bad about your happiness. They don't want you to be happy, and as a result, sometimes we're uncomfortable expressing just how happy we are. Do you know why?
Because happiness is a form of power: it's a power that the unhappy do not possess, and some of us are really uncomfortable wielding that power.
"How dare you. How dare you pursue your passions, and especially how dare you make money off them. How dare you feel good about yourself. How dare you make the right decisions for your life, and not have to wallow in your own self-misery."
My point is that I am a firm believer that generally, we create our own life. It's not that some people are "just lucky" - good things come to people who make them happen, and make smart decisions.
If you are happy with your life - if you have created amazing things; built a cozy home; birthed beautiful children; had incredible experiences; or just love what you do for a living - don't hide it. Don't apologize for it. Don't allow others to make themselves feel better by leaving you powerless.
Instead, just glow. Smile.
Radiate your happiness. It's okay to be happy.
Ashley I just wanted to let you know how amazing your bootcamp has been. I haven't been doing it, I haven't even had time to read every post, but I really admire what you are doing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Eva - I really appreciate that. It's been a little while since we've chatted - I hope you are doing well!
DeleteI love this. I'm new to the blogging world but this makes me excited to seek out other bloggers who will be a happy & positive influence on my life and business. Like you Ashley! I will glow! Thanks
ReplyDeletehttp://denisegammellphoto.blogspot.com/
Hi Denise! Thank you for stopping by and saying hello :)
Deletei'm on that bandwagon ashley. i think it's usually a jealousy thing. 'or a glass half empty' attitude that makes it hard for these people to simply to be happy for others who have worked hard to make good things happen for themselves. that's not to say that bad things don't happen to good people because they do, but when you work hard and you're happy about where you're at, i say revel in it!!! live in the sunshine!
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely true - it's like that saying, "it's not what happens to you - but how you react to it."
DeleteThis is a fantastic post. There are always people out there ready to tear you down. It's happened to me lately, actually, I've just tried to ignore the hate and keep on truckin'.
ReplyDeleteJillian - http://epic-thread.blogspot.com
Jillian,
DeleteI'm so sorry that you've had to go through this recently! It's a really awful feeling - especially if it's coming from someone who is supposed to be your friend - but I guess it is a way to find out who your true friends are. That's the silver lining I've been able to find from it, anyway :)
Loved this post. I just had the same feeling some weeks ago and then something unexpected happened. This "friend" turned against me because I adviced her about something. She probably couldn't bare the idea that her life was not as happy as mine. Now we are not friends anymore. What a relief : )
ReplyDeleteBeata, fellow bywblogboss classmate : )
http://studiofordreams.blogspot.co.uk/
It's very bitter-sweet, isn't Beata? It can be very painful when "friends" show their true colors and hurt us, but then again, life is too short to spend with such negative people.
DeleteI found you at Blog Boss. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! I recently had a baby (7 months ago) and I had a really great pregnancy - this annoyed people! I would often be asked "how are you feeling?" and I would say that I felt great. Strangely, I think that would annoy people. One person said "Of course you do." ???!!! When I lost my baby weight - FORGET IT! I found myself acting defensive for no reason and apologetic for no reason. I typically keep my personal triumphs to myself and my family. No one wants to deal with people who are disingenuous.
I found you at Blog Boss. I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! I recently had a baby (7 months ago) and I had a really great pregnancy - this annoyed people! I would often be asked "how are you feeling?" and I would say that I felt great. Strangely, I think that would annoy people. One person said "Of course you do." ???!!! When I lost my baby weight - FORGET IT! I found myself acting defensive for no reason and apologetic for no reason. I typically keep my personal triumphs to myself and my family. No one wants to deal with people who are disingenuous.
-Leslie (http://homeiswhereyourartis)