The picture that transformed my happiness
Imagine being so caught up in a routine, rhythm, the melee of today’s busy life, that you get lost. It happens to more of us than you realise. Sometimes you need a trigger to stop, reflect, and realise that change needs to happen. What if you could use that motivation to make the smallest of changes across important aspects of your day-to-day life, to prioritise your long-lasting happiness. This is what happened to me, and it reminded me of something extremely important... that I should never neglect my happiness.
The Story
It was a beautiful day in London. The sun was shining, and warmth filled the air, an unusual gift in a city known for its grey skies. But for me, it also meant navigating the underground in a suit that felt too tight. As I wrestled with my belt and attempted to discreetly pull my shirt away from my front to avoid sweat marks, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable.
I arrived at the venue, stepping into a bustling lobby filled with conversation, laughter, and the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries. With twenty minutes to spare before my colleagues arrived, I did what most people do in these situations... I pulled out my phone and disappeared into the endless scroll of digital content. Time slipped away until a tap on my shoulder signalled the arrival of my colleagues.
The event was lively, and as expected, photographers moved around capturing candid moments. I’ve always preferred these types of natural shots, the unfiltered, unscripted glimpses of reality. But on this day, the camera captured something far deeper than a simple image. It unknowingly held up a mirror to my inner self.
Two weeks later, I received a message from a colleague with a link to the event’s website. Their words read: "Jamie, you’re famous!" Excited, I clicked the link and began scrolling through the photos. Then, I stopped.
There it was, my picture.
The picture which became my “mirror” moment
I stared at the screen, my breath caught in my throat. The phrase “a picture paints a thousand words” had never felt more real. But every word this image painted led to the same destination.
Unhappiness.
The exhaustion in my eyes. The tension in my face. The weight I had been carrying, both physically and emotionally, was on full display for the world to see. Had others noticed? Had my colleague seen what I was seeing? My heart raced as I quickly typed back, "I found it... not a fan. Wow, I look tired!"
Their response was light-hearted: "Don’t be so hard on yourself! Your tan looks good, and your facial hair is really coming along nicely. 😊" I chuckled, grateful for the momentary distraction. But as my eyes returned to the screen, reality settled in.
This was my epiphany. And it wasn’t a pleasant one.
For months, I had ignored the signs—pushing through stress, burying emotions, convincing myself that everything was fine. But this photo shattered the illusion. It was time to act. Time to prioritise something I had overlooked for too long. So, what can we take away from this?
Happiness.
I once believed happiness was about fleeting dopamine hits, quick moments of joy and instant gratification. But real, long-lasting happiness isn’t about temporary highs. It’s about consistent, intentional actions woven into daily life. It’s about the foundation you build, the resilience you develop, and the conscious choices you make. I chose five areas to work on from this moment, consistently and progressively, it is easy to want quick fixes, but the foundational ones are what last.
Across the following 16 months I worked hard to redefine the story I was living in, become more selective about the people I was surrounded by, made big changes to myself physically and mentally, and redefined my professional value. This journey doesn’t have an end point. What it does have are everyday habits, choices, decisions, and actions, all of which align fully to that of improving my long-lasting happiness.
It all started with a picture of unhappiness... which has inspired one of the most transformative periods of my life.
Story takeaways
Sometimes, a single moment holds up a mirror to a truth we've been avoiding. For me, it was a photo, one that exposed not just exhaustion, but a deeper unhappiness I could no longer ignore. So what can we learn from this?
Easy to forget: Life is busy, we get distracted, and we can get swept up in the everyday. However, it is important to find ways to check in with ourselves and ask the question - how happy am I?
Self-reflection is uncomfortable: Asking yourself the difficult questions can be awkward, but necessary. Only through honesty and deeper understanding will you get to the truth.
Happiness isn’t a quick fix: Real, lasting happiness, isn’t about fleeting highs, it’s about daily, intentional choices. The foundation you build today will carry you through life’s inevitable ups and downs.
Transformation is a continuous journey: Over 16 months… and counting, I have been working on my story, community, mindset, physical health, professional purpose, but the journey doesn’t have an endpoint. Happiness is something you cultivate daily.
Whilst my story is unique to me, when it comes to happiness the principles are the same for all of us. Sometimes we just need that reminder to stop, reflect and act to make positive change.
Conclusion
Happiness is easily neglected, forgotten, even assumed, and a diminishing baseline of happiness will have negative impacts on us longer-term.
I know.
However, with a more conscious awareness of it, a proactive focus on it, and a commitment to taking actions aligned to it, you can witness first hand how transformative and positive, long-lasting happiness can be.
Reflection Question: What one change can you make today that will positively impact your long-lasting happiness?
Read more here…
Check out my bestselling book, Sprouting Happiness - The 5 Branches to a Happy and Balanced Life, and its supporting journal, to learn more about this story and how you can proactively focus on your long-lasting happiness to make a positive impact and help you GROW.
Sprouting Happiness - The 5 Branches to a Happy and Balanced Life
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