The Fix: Implement Things That Make You Happy Today

The beginning of a new year often comes with pressure.

Pressure to change everything.
Pressure to be better.
Pressure to finally “figure it all out.”

But what if the fix isn’t about doing more, becoming more, or fixing everything at once?

What if the fix is simpler—and available today?

Happiness doesn’t always come from major breakthroughs or perfectly executed plans. Often, it begins with small, intentional choices that bring us back to ourselves.

Here are practical ways to start making yourself feel happier now, without waiting for everything else to fall into place.

1. Redefine What “Happy” Means to You

Before you chase happiness, pause and ask:

• What does happiness actually look like for me right now?
  
  

• Is it peace? Stability? Creativity? Rest? Joy? Freedom?
  
  

Too often, we adopt someone else’s definition of happiness—success, money, relationships, productivity—and wonder why we still feel empty.

Fix:
Write down 3 words that describe how you want to feel this year.
Use those words as your compass when making decisions.

2. Stop Waiting for Permission to Enjoy Your Life

Many people delay happiness until:

• They lose the weight

• Finish the book

• Get the job

• Heal the relationship

• Reach the goal

But joy is not a reward—it’s a practice.

Fix:
Choose one thing you enjoy and give yourself permission to do it this week:

• Take a walk without tracking steps

• Listen to music that moves you

• Create without posting it

• Rest without guilt
  
  

You don’t need permission to enjoy your own life.

3. Implement One Small Habit That Supports Your Well-Being

Transformation doesn’t start with grand gestures—it starts with consistency.

Instead of overhauling your entire routine, ask:

• What is one small habit I can realistically keep?
  
  

Examples:

• Journaling for 5 minutes each morning

• Drinking more water

• Stretching before bed

• Reading one page a day

Fix:
Pick ONE habit and commit to it for 7 days.
Momentum builds confidence, and confidence fuels happiness.

4. Release What No Longer Fits This Season

Sometimes unhappiness isn’t about what’s missing—it’s about what you’re still carrying.

That could be:

• Old expectations

• Unhealthy relationships

• Self-criticism

• Guilt from past decisions

Fix:
Ask yourself:

“What am I holding onto that no longer supports who I’m becoming?”

Write it down. Acknowledge it. Then choose one way to begin releasing it—emotionally, mentally, or physically.

5. Do Something That Reminds You Who You Are

Life transitions can disconnect us from our identity. Responsibilities pile up, roles change, and suddenly we forget who we were before survival mode.

Happiness often returns when we reconnect with our essence.

Fix:
Revisit something that once made you feel alive:

• Writing

• Dancing

• Teaching

• Creating

• Helping others

You don’t have to monetize it or perfect it. Just remember yourself.

6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

Waiting until everything is “right” to feel happy keeps us stuck.

Growth deserves acknowledgment—even when it’s messy.

Fix:
At the end of each week, ask:

• What did I do well?

• What did I survive?

• What did I learn?

Celebrate that. Happiness grows where gratitude lives.

The Real Fix

Happiness doesn’t come from fixing your entire life overnight.
It comes from implementing small, meaningful changes today.

As you move through this new year, remember:

• You are allowed to evolve

• You are allowed to choose yourself

• You are allowed to feel joy—even in transition
  The fix begins when you decide that your happiness matters now, not later.