Happiness! What is it? Where is it? When’s it coming? Well my little cupcake, maybe these are questions you’ve asked yourself recently. And if so, it’s absolutely OK! Acceptance of where you are is the first step in moving in the right direction.

Would you be surprised to know happiness isn’t a destination but a way of being. Think of it like being in a boat without the oars and just floating downstream with no effort. The more you focus on the beautiful view, the more fun you will feel.

And, think of the anticipation of going on a holiday! You know the feeling of clicking the BOOK NOW button and the excitement that ensues as if you’ve plugged into liquid joy. You know that delicious smell of Hawaiian Tropic Sun Tan Lotion and how easily it takes you to an imaginary beach. You know that feeling when you open a bottle of wine and settle down for the in-flight movie. That ahhhhhhhh as you let go. Would you be astounded to know those feelings are natural and meant to be felt often and not just on a holiday.

The point? Well, the destination is guaranteed but the real joy is actually savoring everything along the path. You are simply the one pointing the boat downstream and how much you enjoy it is down to you. In other words, the more you turn and go upstream (eg if you hate your body or job), the more unhappy you’ll feel. The more often you keep the boat pointed downstream, the better you’ll feel. And you cannot have a happy destination if you choose an unhappy journey. It defies law (and physics apparently!).

With this in mind, here are just a few things, both in the past and present that have boosted my own natural happiness (and that required no effort). I can say without a shadow of doubt, solo travel is an abundance of downstream.

But first…

Maybe it is my contrarian persona, but in such a fast moving world, for me means doing the opposite and going slowly! If you compare those blissfully happy times of the 70’s and 80’s, life doesn’t have to be fast paced and when you simply slow down, and breath, you will find gems right in front of you. (I saw a bird this week walking across a cable literally like a tight rope artist! It was incredible! And no, it wasn’t the wine goggles!)

Anyway, enough of clever birdies, I digress! As I was saying, people get sucked into believing they should be elsewhere in life (eg a new house, a new car or relationship) so they can feel happy and that we get measured by hard work. This is one of the biggest fallacies of the modern era. When you give up measuring yourself in that ‘self-destruct comparisonitis’, and instead measure yourself on how good you feel, life begins to be fun and with a capital F!

Happiness is doing new, having new and being new. Of course, I’m a huge advocate for all things travel as you may have guessed being a solo travel expert. But truthfully, it doesn’t matter where you are, you don’t have to leave home to reinvent yourself.

Happiness is…

Here are just some ideas…

Happiness is waking up early to watch sunrise while everyone else is still sleeping

Happiness is waking up in a new country knowing you have it all to explore and in no rush

Happiness is packing for a new destination

Happiness is the satisfaction of packing exceptionally light

Happiness is freedom to do what you want anytime

Happiness is the smell of the air after heavy rain

Happiness is walking through the streets of Buenos Aires in the gaze of charming locals

Happiness is galloping in the countryside with gauchos

Happiness is sampling thee best bottle of Malbec in the vineyards of Mendoza looking out to the Andes

Happiness is daisy dukes and flip flops

Happiness is a Colombian’s smile

Happiness is beach life Brasil

Happiness is drinking a cup of British tea with hands around the cozy cup

Happiness is watching snow flakes fall

Happiness is seeing oldies hold hands

Happiness is sitting in cafe chatting to oldies about life

Happiness is the smile of a child

Happiness is the kindness of strangers

Happiness is lingerie shopping in Italy

Happiness is the smell of Italian artisan perfume

Happiness is talking to Italians about food

Happiness is feeling sexy in some favorite outfit

Happiness is the feeling of sleeping on Egyptian cotton sheets

Happiness is dancing to disco music in a night club until 6 am

Happiness is British fish and chips

Happiness is British humor

Happiness is a Chanel lipstick

Happiness is having a cafe au lait and almond croissant in a sunny terrace with views of Monaco

Happiness is a chilled glass of Rose

Happiness is the gift of being on this planet…

So there you have it my little pumpkin! Of course, I’ve only scratched the surface and solo travel has given me a million things and more. If you don’t like the idea of traveling alone, you could be missing out. Being someone who has always chased adventure, I often get asked ‘isn’t solo travel lonely’ and my answer if an emphatic no. Click here to find out more. But heh? We are not meant to like the same things. You can find joy everywhere and when the inside world feels happy, the outside has to attract back to you the same. It’s law.

So slow down, disconnect, be fully in the moment and do these 3 things:

1. do ONE thing at a time

2. feel more, think less

3. and smile! It’s free, it’s yours and you’d be amazed how much this one little thing will improve the quality of life.

Until next time…

And for more feel good factor content, join the mailing list here. A lot of fun stuff coming up including What Would Carrie Do…?, a new comedy fiction (launching on Amazon in August 2022.

PS

Mindset (which is KING), is covered in Module 3 of Solo Travel Masterclass where I teach you how to NEVER feel lonely ever again!

There are also 2 new mini mindset courses coming up later in 2022:

Mind Your Business

Feeling Good 24/7

If you’d love to learn how to plan your very first solo travel adventure and take happy to a whole new level, click here on Solo Travel Masterclass to find out more. This solo travel course is one-of-a-kind and a lifetime of knowledge and wisdom in one easy-to-follow course.

If You Like This Post, Also Check Out:

Why Wanderful Company Is 100% Feel Good Factor Content

Traveling Alone: Top Tips From A Solo Travel Expert

Is Solo Travel Lonely? No. Here’s Why

The Secret Comedy Of The Airport Lounge

The Secret Life Of The Office Coffee Machine

A Few ‘Wanderful’ Links…

How To Travel Alone And Love It – Vogue