What is Happiness?

As I approach the birth of my second baby (a girl 🎀!) I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do differently this second time around (4.5 years later!)

(Pssst… I recorded a whole podcast episode about this with Abbey McGrew from Wayfarer Design Studio right here!)

The biggest thing? Change my expectations.

As in, don’t go in with any. 😅

With Ryder, I thought new mom life would look like…

• feeding every 2-3 hours (more like every 45 mins)
• Napping when he napped (His naps were all over the place! This was easier said than done—IYKYK.)
• Working while he happily rested in his swing (nope—he wanted to be on me, like a normal baby!)

Those expectations robbed SO much of the joy from my maternity leave and postpartum period.

And I am determined to do it differently this time around.

So when I came across this quote, I immediately highlighted it:

“Happiness equals reality minus expectations.” – Mabel Baucells, Rakesh Sarin, Engineering Happiness: a New Approach for Building a Joyful Life

This encompasses EXACTLY the mindset I hope to have for my second postpartum experience. I want to be IN THE MOMENT—the fun and the hard, the pretty and the messy.

This time around, I’ll work on shedding those expectations so I can uncover real, true joy in the reality of what’s happening in the moment.

Question for you: have you ever had your expectations for how something was supposed to look steal your joy in the moment, like me? 😬

Hit reply to this email (even if we’ve never spoken before!) and tell me about it! I know I’m not the only one 👀

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” —Philippians 4:11-13