We went to Mt. Dora, FL for a couple of days’ getaway and had visited the wonderful used-and-new book store, Barrel of Books and Games, twice before 24 hours passed. I have been devouring the insightful and fun, The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. So many take-aways, starting with (for her) “Be Gretchen.” In other words, don’t try to force yourself to be happy by being/doing/pursuing what makes other people happy. Sounds obvious, but trust me, from this side of the therapy couch, that’s not what usually happens. Most people are not busy being themselves, they are miserably plodding away trying to be someone else. They run, or spin, or meditate, or work longer hours, because other people claim it makes them happier. It might not be making the person in question happier, but darn it, it’s supposed to…so there they go.

Today I was being myself. I went for a walk, went to church, and, having the morning “off” before an afternoon and evening seeing clients, had fun writing the bulk of an article on family therapy and national politics (yeah, that’s hard to explain – a post for another day), working on a large graphite still life, and picking out clothes to donate. My husband asked me, “Weren’t you going to kick back this morning?” Well, I was kicking back…being me. Someone else has her version of a chilled-out morning, and I have mine.

When you are being you, what’s different?

How much time today did you spend being someone else?

Dr. Lori Puterbaugh

© 2015

Posts are for information and entertainment purposes only and should not be construed to be therapeutic advice. If you are in need of mental health assistance, please contact a licensed professional in your area.