Does it make you happy?

I shared a post on NYE 2021 with my babygurl saying ‘come at me 2022”

Little did I know how much would “come at us” in 2022.?

It’s been quite the year. We thought we were off to a good start, but a few trips to the hospital and then my moms diagnosis of cancer, our world kind of stopped.?

I’m going to fast forward a little bit to say that she fought it like the trooper she’s always been. Keeping a brave face and going head first into some pretty scary times: surgeries, radio therapy and too many hospital appointments to mention, but she’s finally (hopefully) on the right path forward heading into 2023.?

It was a bit of a reality check for me too. Lots of unnecessary shit and pressure going on in our life that just needed to stop. So. We stopped it. We changed. And ya know what…things are looking up for 2023 too.?

I’ve said this before and some of you may have heard it a few times, so apologies if you have, but one of the last few words my dad said to me, when we were talking about the toxicity of the company I was working at through the pandemic was “does it make you happy?”

As soon as I got in my van, driving home from hospital that day, I knew in that instant that I needed to leave. That little phrase is something that’s helped me get through a lot in the now 2.5 years since we lost him.?

However, I lost sight of that through the end of 21 and start of 22, especially with so much going on especially around my Ma, but when my RunPals all turned out for a pink parkrun, the morning my ma was going into surgery, it came back. That run, with so many wonderful pals all turning up in pink to support my family and my Ma reminded me of what’s important. Being happy.?

Whilst we couldn’t be entirely happy in that moment, and of course there were a few tears shed, we still had a lot to go through with my babies MaMa like waiting to hear about the surgery, but, for a brief half hour running around the course with my two littlest and lots of fabulous pals, I realised how lucky we really are.?

I realised how important being happy is not just for me, but our family and friends too.?

It’s since been something that I’ve tried to live by. Sometimes it may come across as being selfish, and I apologise to anyone that may feel that way, but, asking yourself, when the shit really is hitting the fan, “does it make you happy” is a bloody good question.?

Obviously not everything is within our control, especially with the economic outlook as it currently is and I won’t get started on whatever the heck our next energy bill is going to be, sometimes life is just a bit shit.?

We could never have stopped my mom getting cancer, my god I wish we could have, so we learned to live with not knowing what may come each day. Not knowing what may happen next. Some days were truly horrid, but we learned to live for each moment we would then have with her and each other.

It’s not always easy, but asking yourself, “does it make you happy” is a great reality check for us to whatever situation we face.?If it doesn’t, why are you doing it??

Despite tough times, you do still have an element of control. You do still have the ability to fill the dark days with something that makes you happy. If not, why not? Why are you allowing those dark days to take over when you have the power to make them just a little bit brighter??

Does it make you happy sat on the sofa? Or would you feel just amazing after a 20 minute walk in the wind and rain, getting back to that warm sofa and blanket afterwards? Whatever your happy is, find it in 2023.?

So, whether you are going through something tough or not, please remember that.?

Ask yourself “does it make me happy” and if not, change it. Change your attitude, say fuck it and do what makes you happy.?

2023 has a lot of unknowns for me and mine. We have no idea what’s going to happen next, but with that in mind I want to live in the moment with my family and make the most of each day we do have together.?

And that is exactly what I plan on doing through 2023.?

I apologise in advance if it appears I don’t give a fuck. I do.?I’m just trying to make our world as happy as I can and I couldn’t have done it without my wonderfabulous wifey or three amazing bambalinos by my side and some truly incredible pals. I’m forever grateful for everything they inspire us to do and get through.?

Here’s to 2023...may it be a bright one for all of us!?

xxx