Welcome to CompassInTheStorm.com! My name is Julia Shupe. I’m an author, wife, employee, cat-mom, runner, reader…the list goes on. But above all else, I’m a person seeking happiness. I wear many hats, as you do, I’m sure, which at times can be challenging, if not stressful. Though I’ve followed many happiness blogs, listened to numerous podcasts, and read many books, I’ve always suffered one nagging thought: These people seem perfect! They’ve risen above the storm. What about the people who are still struggling?
The “happiness scale”
I’ve always envisioned a “happiness scale”, upon which people seem to fit naturally, and I’ve come to believe people maintain a “default setting”. I’ve known many people (like my mom) who naturally greet each a day with a smile. Happiness comes naturally to them, like breathing. It doesn’t require work, thought, or effort. They laugh easily at jokes, enjoy conversing with strangers they meet on the street, while others tend toward depressive thoughts.
What is your “default setting”?
On a happiness scale of 1 to 5—5 being blissful, and 1 being depressed—what would you consider your “default setting”? Did you like your answer? Was it satisfying to you? And if not, how do you “move up” the happiness scale?
What is my “default setting”?
I’ve always considered myself a natural-born “3”. Happiness requires diligent work on my part. It’s a plant I have to continually nourish and water. If I don’t make happiness a daily priority, I can feel it slipping away rather quickly. But there are definite things you can do to become happier. I will discuss these things in the pages of this blog. I will tear into the tried-and-true methods that truly increase daily happiness. I’ll share tips and tricks that have—and do—work for me.
There seem to be many happiness “buzz words” out there, cliche catch phrases meant to motivate us, or call us to action. This blog intends to test these theories, challenge these suggestions, and ultimately tease out the routines, habits, and real-life practices that can be applied to achieve a much happier life.
Disclaimer:
Thank you so much for visiting CITS. Though posting on this site and managing its content is therapeutic to me, I am not a therapist or trained counselor. I am a person navigating this storm we call life (and certainly enjoying the ride!). Everything written in this site is my opinion. I do not claim the ability to offer professional advice about mental health or happiness. I can only share my own general thoughts and experiences.
If you suffer from depression or have distracting depressive thoughts, please seek the guidance and treatment of a professional.