In the past, this blog has been a reflection of my life at any given time. Whether it was money, health and, once upon a time, law school. If I have something weighing on me, I write. If I have problems, I write. In the past several months, I haven’t been writing as much. I can blame things on my hectic schedule, but that’s not it. I think it is because I’m happy. Probably the happiest I’ve ever been.
It’s not that I feel bad about being happy, because I don’t. It’s because I’m not used to writing when I’m happy. I want to write more again and I think there will be another shift in my content in the near future.
So, what’s making me happy? Here’s the short list and I want to talk so much more about all of them.
Work
For many years, I was incredibly unhappy as a lawyer. It wasn’t the right career for me. Not the way I was doing it. I left the practice of law in March to focus on FitFluential. I cannot stress how much I love my work, our community and the people I work with. (Most people are not lucky enough to work every day with their best friends. I am.)
In addition, I’ve come to terms with what I liked and didn’t like about the law. There will be more to come about this, but I’m starting my own firm. Not because I need to, but because I want to. I want to use the skills that I’ve developed to help people. The new site will launch soon and we’ll talk more then. But I know it is the right thing.
People
For a long time, I felt like a bad friend because I am not always physically there for people. I am calling myself on my own BS. I make time when people need me, regardless of how busy a particular day might be. I think my friends know that I am always here for them. They just might get me over email and not in person. But I am coming to accept that that doesn’t make me a bad friend.
When you are happy, it helps all of your relationships. My marriage could not be better right now. It wasn’t bad before, but I think that there is a certain levity to me that wasn’t there before. Our relationship has only gotten stronger. [I love you, Baby.]
Body
Late last year, I realized how much of my thinking was clouded because of my constant body snarking. That’s over. Now, I am grateful every day for how strong I’ve become. In working out at Life Time for such a short period of time, I’ve seen massive changes in my body. I’ve lost six inches and I’m at my lowest weight in years. But the weight loss is only a part of the puzzle. I’m getting stronger. Seeing the number change on the scale is great, but nothing was more exciting than the day that I discovered I was getting definition in the triceps. (And then I made my husband feel my new muscle.)
Attitude
A lot of really hard stuff has happened in the past several months. My father had a stroke and nothing was scarier than the thought that we could lose him. My grandfather had a massive leg infection and he is now in assisted living. My grandmother passed. (My grandfather is my only grandparent left.)
But, it’s about how you handle the hard times. I’ve used this time to cherish and celebrate my family. And I’m so grateful for every second I have with them.
How
I’ve spoken with a couple of friends recently about the changes in my life. Last year at this time, I was in a bad place. I was deeply unhappy. Then I went to BlogHer and I saw Gretchen Rubin speak. Then I read The Happiness Project. Something about that book clicked and I made the conscious decision to be more happy. My life became my own happiness project. In that year, everything has changed. My attitidue, my relationships, my job. To call it a life changer is an understatement.
I’m happy. At times, I look back and consider how unhappy I was for such a long time. I wasn’t satisfied and I let my frustrations take over. Shifting my attitude and letting myself feel joy has changed so much.
This photo says it all. It was a candid photo that the photographer, Lolli, snapped while we were doing headshots. This is how I feel. Laughing and full of happy. And that necklace. It’s by Amy Cornwell. (I LOVE Amy’s jewelry.) I got it at a conference. It says Just Be You and there is a little star. It’s absolutely perfect. Not to mention that pearls are my birthstone. Show your joy, friends.
Love, love, love! So happy for you and your happiness!
Thank you, Casey!
Get it, girlfriend. Embrace the happy.
Thank you, my lady!
This is awesome. I need to get that book, i’ve heard such great things about it. Also, anytime I find anything that could possibly resemble a muscle I freak out and make my husband feel it too!
I am so glad that I’m not the only one! But they are new and awesome, so he had to check them out! I then told my trainer, and he said that he could see them. Like, with his eyes. Also, just as awesome.
And your words, your friendship help inspire others. You have inspired me in so many ways. I’m thrilled to see you so happy and at peace with life. Proud of you my friend. Keep up the great work!
Thank you so much!
Love the openness you’ve shared with us! Writing is such a great outlet to inspire, reflect and captivate. You’ve done all three in this post. This is what we love about you. Your realness that makes you so relateable. Beautiful.
Thank you, Noelle.
I am so happy that you are happy Danielle! When I first saw that photo of you I could really tell. You are glowing!
Thanks, Lolo! I absolutely love that pic! One of the best ever taken of me.
Good for you, Danielle. You wear it well. I think we often stand in the way of our own happiness. I’m trying to learn to not sweat the small stuff. And even when it’s big, the ability to focus on the positive is really a blessing!
Thanks, Kristin!
This made me smile reading it! I’m so happy for you! Here is to a blessed year to come! May the happy continue to flow! Xoxxo
Isn’t it crazy to think how far life has come since last year at BlogHer?
Beautiful! I can relate to do much in this post. So glad to hear things are going well for you!
Thanks, Aryn!
That was a much-needed post for me to read
Thanks for sharing!!!
I’ve been dying to read that book – going to the bookstore shall be added to my To-Do list for tomorrow!
Read it! It is so fantastic. I love Gretchen Rubin!
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful and meaningful post, on how to just be happy. It also reinforces that we should concentrate on changing things that are within our control and not worry so much about the other things. I hope you get the urge to write again but not at the price of your happiness.
Fitnessbuster supporting you in improving your fitness and nutrition.
Gillian, it’s so true. It made such a difference for me.
What an amazing post, Danielle! So psyched for you that you’re in such a good spot.
Thank you, Sarah!
You met us. We both love good grammar. Your life is happier. Hmmm, Coincidence? I just read an article about the value of sharing positive news. Apparently basking in good news has all sorts of good benefits, including improving health!
The timing here doesn’t seem like a coincidence…
So glad you’re writing about this. It is definitely a different point of view to write from happy instead of struggle. Although the latter never goes away, when you’re truly happy, you’re able to manage the struggles better, get through them more quickly and learn more profoundly from them. Which then contributes to happiness!
So proud of you.
Thank you, Stef!