How to Find Real Happiness Without Chasing Trends or Perfection
Living a simple life. That’s what I want to talk about today—not because it’s trendy, but because it’s real. Too often, we get caught up in chasing what everyone else seems to want: the most impressive degrees, the fanciest job title, more money, the biggest house, the perfect family, the flashiest car, or living in the “ideal” country. We collect achievements like trophies, thinking they’ll finally make us happy.
But here’s the truth: you don’t have to do any of that. You don’t have to run after what’s fashionable or what others expect. Instead, take time to listen to yourself. Really listen. Spend a moment in front of the mirror and ask yourself, “How do I see myself in five years? What steps will get me there?” Work backwards from your vision, step by step, until you reach today. This exercise isn’t just about planning—it’s about understanding what kind of life you actually want to live, not just what looks good on paper.
When we’re young, it’s easy to think we want a life full of excitement—parties, lots of friends, always going out. But if you imagine living that way forever, it quickly loses its appeal. The real question is: what kind of life could you happily repeat, day after day?
For me, I find joy in small things. For example, I’ve been developing an app that helps me track what I eat. It’s a simple project, but every time I see it working, I feel proud. These little achievements, these personal creations, fill me up in a way that chasing big, flashy goals never did.
It’s important to do things that make you happy, things that speak to you, things that make you feel alive. It might sound cliché, but it’s true. When you do what truly matches your own desires, you stop living to impress people you don’t even care about. Too many people end up living a life that was chosen or shaped by others, never stopping to ask themselves the right questions. And then, ten or twenty years later, they wake up and realize it’s too late.
Time never stops. It’s like a train that never takes a break. You can’t go back. Time is the most precious thing we have, so you have to act now. Make the decisions today that will lead you to the life you love—the life that makes you say, “Wow, this is really me.”
If the path is beautiful, don’t ask where it leads. Just enjoy the journey. — André Gide
We only get one life. We’re here for a limited time, and the real goal is to be happy. I love the saying that if the journey is pleasant, you don’t worry about the destination—you just enjoy the ride. So live fully. Ask yourself the right questions, as if you were talking to your best friend.
I’ve learned this lesson the hard way. Not long ago, I had a bad fall. I broke my nose, injured my knee, and now I have to walk with crutches. I even broke a tooth—my perfect smile is gone. I never thought something like this would happen to me, but it did. We always think these things happen to other people, until one day, it’s our turn. And then we wonder why we waited so long to chase our dreams.
There’s no better time than now. Waiting for more time or more money in the future is an illusion. If you want to do something that matters to you, the best moment is today. Not tomorrow, not next week—today.
Every evening, I ask myself: What did I do today that made me happy? What didn’t I like? I write it down. The next morning, I look at that list and decide what I want to keep doing, and what I want to stop. Day by day, this simple habit changes everything. It’s like a snowball effect—small improvements add up, and soon, your whole life looks different.
The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now. — Chinese Proverb
So, take charge of your life. Stay positive. I believe in you, and I know you can go far. Life is short—don’t waste it living someone else’s dream. Start today.
Key Takeaways
- Listen to yourself, not to trends or others’ expectations.
- Imagine the life you want, then work backwards to plan your steps.
- Find joy in small, personal achievements.
- Don’t wait for the “right” time—start now.
- Reflect daily on what makes you happy and what doesn’t, and adjust accordingly.
Action Steps
- Spend a few minutes today asking yourself what you really want.
- Write down what made you happy (and unhappy) today.
- Tomorrow, look at your list and decide what to keep and what to change.
- Repeat this every day for a week and notice the difference.
Reflection
- What would your life look like if you stopped living for others?
- What small step can you take today toward the life you want?
- Are you waiting for a “perfect” moment that may never come?
Pierre-Henry Soria
#Authenticity #Happiness #Life-Advice #Money #Self-Reflection #Simplicity #Tasks #Time-Management