Let’s talk about the Not-So-Merry-Go-Round of life. You know the one—it keeps you spinning in circles, chasing happiness but never quite catching it. The good news? You can decide today to step off that ride for good and start living with true joy and contentment.

Step One: Stop the “If_____, Then_____” Happy Game
We’ve all fallen into this trap at some point. If I had a bigger house, then I’d be happy. If my spouse acted differently, then I’d be happy. If my life looked more like hers, then I’d be happy. But y’all, this mindset only keeps you stuck.

Contentment is where the magic happens. 1 Timothy 6:6 reminds us, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” It’s time to let go of the “if/then” mentality and embrace contentment right where you are.

Step Two: Stop Comparing Up
Comparison is one of the fastest ways to lose your joy. It’s easy to look at someone else’s life and think, Why can’t mine be like that? But let’s redefine success—on your terms.

Here’s a freeing truth: Happiness leads to success, not the other way around. Let go of the pressure to measure up to someone else’s standard and focus on living your best life, not theirs.

Step Three: Build Happy Habits
Research from Sonja Lyubomirsky’s The How of Happiness shows that 40% of your happiness comes from your habits—not your circumstances. That’s fantastic news because it means you have the power to boost your happiness by simply changing what you do daily.

Start small and watch how these happy habits transform not just your mindset, but your life. As you grow your 40%, it will naturally overflow into your temperament and even your circumstances. Before long, you’ll be living with more joy, more often.

Take a Moment:
Think about your happiness set point. Where are you now—30%, 50%, 70%? No matter where you start, there’s always room to grow, and God is ready to help you take the next step.

This week, let’s commit to breaking free from the Not-So-Merry-Go-Round, ditching comparison, and embracing habits that lead to lasting joy. You’ve got this!

Wishing you a happy, content, and hope-filled week ahead!

Want to grow in joy and happiness even more?
Discover the Happy ANYWAY All-In-One Book and Workbook a complete guide to finding contentment and joy in every season or start with the Happy Anyway Devotional E-Book, packed with quick, uplifting inspiration.

For the ultimate transformation, grab the ANYWAY Bundle featuring Happy ANYWAY, Love ANYWAY, and Believe ANYWAY. It’s your complete happiness toolkit!

Happy Monday!

Xoxo,

Adrienne Cooley

P.S. Ready to step into more joy and connection? Join us at the Happy Girl Getaway 2025! A weekend of fun, faith, and friendship awaits. Click here to learn more and grab your spot today!