It seems like a no-brainer that we should allow ourselves to be happy and create more joy in our lives, but it’s not that simple. Some of us still believe we don’t deserve to be happy. Or when we do allow happiness in, we worry that it won’t last. Or we spend time thinking about all the things that could go wrong.
Why do we do that? Part of it is our culture and the way we were raised. Well-meaning parents, teachers, and coaches sometimes try to manage children’s expectations so they’re not disappointed. We’re often taught that if we allow ourselves to be too happy, we’ll end up suffering in the end. Well-intentioned or not, these messages often cause us to unintentionally block or sabotage our own happiness. We may also have self-doubts or insecurities about our own worth. Do we even deserve to be happy? [Read more…] about Joy is Not a Luxury, It’s a Necessity – Why You Need to Allow More Joy into Your Life Today