As the year winds down, it seems everyone is ready to put it behind them. It’s been a tough year, for me and for everyone I know. But then again, we said the same thing last year—and the year before that. Are we caught in a never-ending story of wishing away the hard times?
On a recent hike with an amazing group of people, I wondered if there’s a better way to break this cycle. What would it look like? And while there’s no cookie-cutter answer, one thought kept coming back to me: what if the key is to recycle happiness?
It may sound unusual, but hear me out. Imagine taking moments of past joy and breathing life into them again, just as we recycle materials. Or sharing the joy we feel, with others. When life feels overwhelming, that little guiding light—recycled happiness—could be closer than we think.
While we can’t control everything that happens around us, we do control our reactions. Take something as simple as sitting in traffic: we can let it ruin our day, or we can crank up our favorite songs, call a loved one, or use the moment to reconnect with someone we haven’t spoken to in a while.
But here’s the thing: we tend to hold onto the negatives and let the good moments slip away. So, why not consciously recycle happiness? Here are a few ways I think we can start:
1. Pay It Forward: When you feel joy, share it with someone else. Buy a friend a coffee, send a thank-you message to someone who means a lot to you, make a stranger’s day with a simple smile or call the cashier by their name. That right gesture at the right time might completely turn their day—or even their life—around.
2. Choose Joy-Filled Moments and People: Life is too short to be stuck in draining situations. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and do things that leave you feeling better about yourself. On my hike, I was surrounded by friends who showed me just how strong our community’s sense of caring is. Whether helping each other up boulders, waiting for the ones at the back, or sharing a laugh over brunch, their warmth made my day.
3. Create a Happiness Toolkit: For those times when no one is around to lift you up, make a list of moments that brought you joy. Maybe it’s the first cup of coffee in the morning, a morning message from a loved one, or a birthday celebration surrounded by family and friends. When you’re feeling low, recall these moments and let them bring back the joy they sparked.
When you’re down and struggling to see the light, it can be hard to find your way out. But if you keep a mental toolkit filled with moments where you can recycle the happiness, you’ll always have an “emergency glow stick” to break out when things get dark.
