February 2, 2025 | #25 | read on The Happier Studio | Free Version
Welcome to The Happier Newsletter, a weekly newsletter where I provide actionable ideas to help you build a happier, healthier, and more meaningful life.
What’s On Today
- Are You Noticing Your Dream Moments?
- Creating Your Dream Moment Journal
- 3 Things I’m Grateful For This Week
Hi friends,
Before I begin this week’s newsletter, I just wanted to quickly apologise for sending this a few days later than usual. I’ve been travelling for the past five weeks (visiting family and friends in the Netherlands) and taking a break from writing.
We had the most amazing time, and I feel incredibly grateful for having had this time off to see everyone again—and, of course, show off my son Austin. Except for my parents, it was the first time everyone got to meet him, and he couldn't have been more loved.
It’s in these moments that I’m reminded of what truly matters. Success, career, and money may have their place, but at the end of the day, it’s the people you share your life with that make it meaningful.
This trip was a powerful reminder to cherish the time I have with those I love and to be present in the moments that matter most. And I hope, in some way, this serves as a little reminder for you too.
Now, onto this week’s newsletter…
Are You Noticing Your Dream Moments?
Have you ever paused mid-moment and thought, "Wow, this is something I used to dream about"? These moments—let's call them dream moments—are those instances where you realise you're living out a version of your past self's vision for the future. And yet, so often, we let these moments slip by unnoticed, buried under the weight of our busy lives.
Dream moments are more than just milestones. They’re reminders of our progress, proof that we’re capable of turning dreams into reality. Recognising these moments helps us:
- Acknowledge growth: Every dream moment is a snapshot of how far we’ve come. It’s easy to forget the challenges we overcame to get here, but these moments remind us of the effort, persistence, and growth along the way.
- Shift perspective: When we pause to notice, even the smallest dream moments can shift our focus from what’s missing to what’s already here.
- Feel fulfilled in the present: So much of happiness is about appreciating now, not waiting for the next big achievement. Dream moments are invitations to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.
I was reflecting on this recently. A few years ago, I dreamed of the life I’m building now: living in another country, having a family, connecting with like-minded people through The Happier Studio, and watching this community grow. The little victories used to feel so far away, and yet here they are, happening right now.
But here’s the thing about the human brain: it’s wired to survive, not to celebrate. It tunes into what’s wrong, and tunes out the good stuff once it becomes part of the routine. That’s why achieving even our wildest dreams can sometimes feel underwhelming if we’re not intentional about appreciating them.
This is the infamous hedonic treadmill at work. As we move forward, the dream house, the dream job, or the dream routine quickly becomes normal. What once sparked excitement now blends into the background.
But by pausing to notice these moments, you can remind yourself of the journey it took to get here—the challenges, the growth, and the dreams that once felt out of reach. Dream moments anchor us to the present, offering a sense of fulfillment and joy that we might otherwise overlook.
So, the next time you catch yourself in a moment that feels really cool, don’t let it slip by. Take a breath, smile, and say, "This is it. We made it."
Creating Your Dream Moment Journal
If you find it hard to pause in the moment, consider creating a Dream Moment Journal. This doesn’t have to be a big, complicated practice—just a quick reflection at the end of the day.
Write down one or two things that made you pause and think, "This is really cool. I’ve worked for this." It could be something big, like finishing an important project, or something simple, like a peaceful walk outside.
Over time, this practice helps you build a habit of noticing. When you revisit these entries weeks or months later, you’ll see just how far you’ve come and how many dream moments you’ve actually experienced.
Some prompts to get started:
- What was the highlight of your day that a younger version of you would have been thrilled to experience?
- Did anything make you pause and think, "I’m grateful for this" today?
- Who or what in your life feels like a dream come true?
Try it for a week, and see how it shifts your perspective.
3 Things I’m Grateful For This Week
- The surprise party my mum organised for my birthday with all my friends and loved ones
- Traveling to Paris and Disneyland
- Having spent the last 5 weeks with my friends and family back home
What are you grateful for this week?
