Happiness isn’t hiding inside an Amazon box, a Walmart bag, or a package from Target or Best Buy. Buying new things might give you a quick burst of excitement, but that feeling fades fast. Once the novelty wears off and the item is put away, it just becomes another thing you own. Real, lasting happiness doesn’t come from stuff—it comes from within.
Chasing that “new” feeling doesn’t have to involve spending money. It can come from simple experiences like going for a walk, exercising, or creating something. Writing a song, a poem, or even a story can be just as exciting as unboxing something new. When you create, you’re making something out of nothing, and that sense of accomplishment is deeply satisfying. It’s like receiving a gift, but it’s a gift you gave yourself.
Even small changes, like rearranging your furniture, can give you a fresh perspective and a little dopamine boost. It’s about finding newness in experiences, not just in products. Shifting your mindset from “What can I buy?” to “What can I create or change within myself?” can transform the way you see the world.
For me, writing music from start to finish is one of the most fulfilling experiences. It’s more rewarding than buying almost anything. Don’t get me wrong—I still enjoy ordering from Amazon, and there’s excitement in opening a package, especially if it’s something I’ve been wanting. But I don’t expect it to solve my problems or bring me lasting happiness. When I see it for what it is—just another thing—I can enjoy it without depending on it for fulfillment.
You can find joy and even a dopamine boost in almost anything—helping someone out, creating something, or even cleaning your space. I find satisfaction in tidying up my kitchen and enjoying a cup of tea or coffee in a clean, organized space. It gives me a sense of peace and accomplishment. Of course, my kitchen isn’t always spotless, and the mess does stress me out, but that just makes the process of cleaning and organizing even more rewarding.
Sitting on the couch, scrolling endlessly on your phone, or watching TV all evening while wishing for a different life won’t change anything. You have to take action. Learn something new, read an inspiring book, or watch a motivational video. If you don’t put in the effort to make changes, nothing will improve. Life is challenging, and while it’s easy to get stuck in negative thinking, the reality is that things are the way they are. Complaining won’t change them—action will.
If you’re unhappy with the direction your life is going but aren’t willing to do anything about it, no one else can help you. But when you start making an effort to improve, people notice and are more likely to support you. I’ve tried helping people who wouldn’t help themselves, and it’s exhausting. I can offer advice and tools, but they have to decide to use them.
One of the best decisions I made was getting an Audible subscription. Listening to motivational books about self-improvement, money, and understanding people has taught me so much. The most valuable lesson? I can’t control others—I can only control my own thoughts and actions.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to taking action. One of my favorite sayings is, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” It’s a reminder that you can offer someone all the tools and support in the world, but if they don’t want to change, nothing will happen. Success and happiness take effort—they aren’t just handed to you. I sometimes have to force myself to get up and go outside when I’d rather sit and watch a movie or doing work on my computer. I always come back refreshed and happy that I made myself get off the couch. Anyone can make a fresh start, today and from now on everyday, the past is not you. Take that first step and you’ll see how things get better day by day as you learn and grow. I highly recommend looking up some motivational books on Audible or at your local library. I have ready nearly 30 (listened to) audio books and these books have changed my mind and brain for the better. Learning about life and people and how humans interact and even books about money and career have given me so much to build on. I wish peace to the person reading this and I hope you take that step to grow, learn and be okay with who you are. It took me a long time to be okay with who I am, I just needed to hear the life changing wisdom I found in the books I’ve read, it has truly changed my life.
I wrote this song below at the beginning of my journey. It’s called “Intention” and it’s about forgiveness and starting over and that is exactly what I did.
Coffee & a Playlist 