Live Like an Otter: Finding Happiness in Everyday Moments

Welcome to the first episode of Money Roots, where we explore the intersection of personal finance and personal growth. Today, I am thrilled to have Sandra Miller, a happiness coach and host of the sassy podcast "A Sassy Little Podcast," as our guest. Sandra has embarked on a journey to find happiness and has now become a happiness coach herself. In this episode, we delve into Sandra's personal journey, the concept of happiness coaching, and how we can all cultivate more happiness in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

• Authentic happiness comes from within and is not dependent on external factors.
• Gratitude and appreciation are powerful tools for building happiness.
• Shifting one's perspective and allowing oneself to be happy are key steps in the happiness journey.
• Feeling all emotions is important, but it's possible to come back to a baseline of happiness.
• Small moments of joy and fun can have a significant impact on overall happiness.

About The Guest(s):

Sandra Miller is a happiness coach and the host of a popular podcast. She embarked on a journey to find happiness after feeling a lack of optimism and joy in her life. Through her own experiences and research, she discovered the power of authentic happiness and decided to become a happiness coach to help others find their own happiness.

A Sassy Little Substack | Sandra Ann Miller | Substack

asassylittle.com

Home | Sassy Little Podcast

Email Sandra - sassy@asassylittle.com

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The Journey to Happiness

Sandra shares that she had been in a bit of a funk since the end of 2016, feeling a lack of optimism and overall dissatisfaction. However, by the end of 2022, she realized that something needed to change. She wanted to be happy, but not in a superficial or toxic way. Sandra emphasizes that happiness is not about pretending everything is great or ignoring negative emotions. It is about authentic happiness, feeling all of our feelings, and understanding that we can always find our way back to happiness.

"I wanted to be happy. And I'm going to do a big caveat right now in saying happiness is one thing. Toxic positivity is the antithesis of happiness. So this isn't putting on a smile. This isn't pretending like everything's great. This is really getting into authentic happiness, feeling all of your feelings, being in whatever mood you're going to be in, but also understanding you can get back to being happy."

The Role of a Happiness Coach

Sandra stumbled upon the concept of happiness coaching during her journey to find happiness. She realized that she wanted to help others find their own happiness and become a happiness coach herself. But what exactly does a happiness coach do?

"For me, I kind of spent all of 2023 making sure my philosophy kind of worked because what was important to me was that I still got to be me. I didn't have to turn into a pod person... I wanted to keep all of that because even though those aren't necessarily wonderful traits that everybody wants to aspire to, I kind of like those parts of myself. So I didn't want to have to abandon who I was in order to be happy."

Sandra explains that a happiness coach helps individuals discover their own happiness by focusing on two types of happiness: hedonic and eudaimonic. Hedonic happiness is derived from external factors such as material possessions, experiences, and relationships. On the other hand, eudaimonic happiness comes from within, from knowing one's worth, understanding one's purpose, and appreciating what one has.

Building the Foundation of Happiness

Sandra believes that happiness starts with the little things in life. It is about finding joy in everyday moments and shifting our perspective to appreciate what we have. She encourages individuals to give themselves permission to be happy and to pay attention to the moments that bring them joy.

"It's really important that we learn to be happy. And it's really as simple as two steps. Give yourself permission and shift your perspective... So allow yourself, like literally say, I allow myself to be happy... and then just pay attention. If you're in a good mood, kind of wonder why. Think about it for a little bit. Oh, yeah, I got that green light. I was on time for work today. That kind of stuff."

Sandra emphasizes that building happiness is a gradual process, akin to building a foundation with Lego blocks. It may seem silly at first, but by focusing on the little things that bring us joy, we can gradually strengthen our happiness muscle.

Authenticity and Feeling All Emotions

One of the misconceptions about happiness is that it requires suppressing or ignoring negative emotions. Sandra dispels this notion and emphasizes the importance of feeling all emotions authentically.

"You have to feel all of your feelings. They're telling you something. They're telling you something about yourself and the situation you're in. They're there to teach you, not to annoy you... You're going to feel everything. And just because you feel another emotion doesn't mean you're unhappy... It's just you're having this experience in this moment, and that's fine."

Sandra encourages individuals to embrace their authentic selves and to allow themselves to experience a range of emotions. Being happy doesn't mean being a doormat or ignoring the challenges of life. It means finding peace within oneself and being able to return to a state of happiness even amidst difficult circumstances.

The Power of Gratitude and Appreciation

Gratitude plays a significant role in cultivating happiness, but Sandra prefers to use the term "appreciation" to avoid the association with toxic positivity. She suggests taking the time to appreciate and be thankful for the things that make us happy, no matter how small.

"If you are thankful for things, if you are appreciative of things... write it down. Even if it's just three things or just mentally note three things in the morning and the evening that you're grateful for, that you're thankful for, that you appreciate, that made your day easier... because a lot of this is the words around it... Because when you appreciate something or when something is appreciating, it's growing."

Sandra highlights the importance of acknowledging and expressing appreciation for the positive aspects of our lives. By doing so, we can shift our focus from what is lacking to what we already have, fostering a sense of contentment and happiness.

Spreading Happiness and Finding Connection

Loneliness and the feeling of being alone in our struggles can hinder our happiness. Sandra believes that coming together as a community and sharing our experiences can be incredibly powerful in cultivating happiness.

"I think we need to remind ourselves of that, that we've been on overload for so long, and the people around us are on overload for so long that if we can start bringing in some happiness and some joy, it really does benefit everyone around us... It's not that binary. It's not like if I'm happy, I'm ignoring everything else... You're present with what's happening in the world, but you're also present with how you're feeling as you."

Sandra envisions hosting seminars and workshops to bring people together and create a space for sharing experiences and learning from one another. By finding connection and realizing that we are not alone in our pursuit of happiness, we can uplift and support each other on our individual journeys.

The Future of Happiness Coaching

Sandra plans to continue offering webinars and individual coaching sessions to help individuals find their own happiness. She aims to create a safe and supportive environment where people can explore their own happiness and set and achieve their goals.

"I'm doing what I call podlets for my paid subscribers on Substack, which is just shorter versions of the podcast, and just to kind of get my feet wet again in doing that because it's just so much fun... I do want to get back to that. So I'm hoping maybe by mid-year."

Sandra also plans to revive her podcast, "A Sassy Little Podcast," in the future, as it was a source of joy and connection for her. She believes that laughter and fun are essential components of happiness and hopes to continue spreading happiness through her podcast.

Conclusion: Living Like an Otter

In conclusion, Sandra Miller's journey to happiness and her role as a happiness coach offer valuable insights into cultivating happiness in our lives. By giving ourselves permission to be happy, shifting our perspective, and appreciating the little things, we can build a foundation of happiness that sustains us through life's ups and downs. Authenticity, feeling all emotions, and expressing gratitude or appreciation further contribute to our overall happiness.

As we navigate the challenges of life, it is essential to remember that happiness is not about ignoring or suppressing negative emotions. It is about finding peace within ourselves and being able to return to a state of happiness even amidst difficult circumstances. By embracing our authentic selves and allowing ourselves to feel all emotions, we can experience true happiness.

Sandra's vision of creating a community of individuals on the happiness journey is a powerful reminder that we are not alone. By coming together, sharing our experiences, and supporting one another, we can uplift and inspire each other to live happier lives.

So, let us all take a page from Sandra's book and live like otters—finding joy in everyday moments, making life fun, and spreading happiness wherever we go. May this new year be filled with laughter, appreciation, and the pursuit of authentic happiness.

This episode is brought to you by Rooted Planning Group. Rooted Planning Group is a fee-only financial planning firm that specializes in working with women in their 30s and 40s who want to take control of their finances and plan for the future. Whether you're just starting out or you're looking to make a big change, Rooted Planning Group can help.

Visit www.rootedpg.com to learn more.