Finding Your Happiness in Uncertain Times

This piece is an update from an article I originally wrote on 3 September 2018. A lot has changed since then, and I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on these words, especially in light of what the world has been through.

The other day, I found myself in a conversation on social media. I asked a friend how she was doing, and her response was, "I am fine, I guess." When I probed further, she simply said, "Meh... Life can be tough sometimes."

I think many of us can relate. We’ve all faced moments when life feels heavy—whether it’s the drudgeries of daily routines, unexpected setbacks, or the worst-case scenarios that play out in our own lives.

Take Zimbabwe, for example.

We’ve seen massive job losses, relentless price hikes, and other challenges that weigh heavily on the national psyche. These realities often leave us feeling uncertain, unhappy, and even despondent, especially after pivotal moments like elections that may or may not have gone the way we’d hoped.

But amidst all this, I found myself asking crucial questions:

What makes me happy? And what am I doing to ensure that I keep experiencing those moments of joy?

When COVID-19 hit, it taught me to pause and really listen to myself. In African cultures, we listen to others, our greetings are mindful and intentional. But is how we view ourselves the same?

It was a moment that forced many of us to touch our feelings in ways we hadn't before, to slow down and reconnect with what truly matters. In a world that constantly emphasises money, where even entertainment feels so vanilla and routine, the pandemic became an opportunity - albeit a painful one - to reflect deeply on our personal sources of happiness.

I’ve asked others the same question, and the responses are usually outward-focused. Some want a thriving economy; others desire their partner’s happiness. There are those who simply wish for their favourite football team to win.

But here’s the thing: what’s often missing is the recognition of what makes you happy, independent of anyone else’s circumstances or successes. It’s easy to pin our happiness on external factors we can’t control - the economy, our partner’s mood, or the performance of a sports team. These things are beyond our direct influence.

So, I urge you to turn the question inward: What do you want? Is it to travel more? Write that book? Enjoy life’s pleasures more fully?

And once you’ve identified what makes you happy, ask yourself: What are you doing, every day, to make it happen? Life is for living, not just enduring. It’s about making conscious choices to pursue your happiness, despite the uncertainties around you.

Because in the end, the one thing you have the most control over is how you choose to live your life. So, what are you doing today to make your happiness a priority?