Happy Monday! In todays Turning 30 video, I talk about happiness and what happiness is. Unfortunately I have a tendency towards pessimism and depression but over the past year or so I've tried to really change and be more positive and be happier.
I'm sure you guys also know the kind of people who seem to float through life without a care in the world. It's probably just an illusion and they have problems of their own. But I really envy those people. In fact, I hope to some day be one of them.
I hope it goes without saying that other things that I don't talk about in this video (such as family, and the simple things in life) also make me happy. This is just one aspect of it.
Has anyone read the book The Happiness Project? If so, is it worth reading? I'm quite intrigued by it!
I'm feeling much better this week but as you can tell, my voice still sounds pretty funny.
Have a wonderful week, everyone! Vanessa xx
P.S. I saw this Jennifer Lawrence Academy Awards hair tutorial on YouTube and tried it out for this video. Unfortunately my hair is not quite long enough to have a nice bun in the back but otherwise it's super easy to recreate.
I love your post cause I'm in the same situation of you about pessimism, depression, happiness, but I work for that with many idea, and concept in books in particulary !
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to have a more positive outlook on life too. I'm much like you but I've definitely noticed my stress levels are down since trying to live a happier lifestyle. Also, thank you for your comment on my blog over at www.my-designers.com/blogs!
ReplyDeleteHi! I came to visit your blog. And I loved it!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but I did not understand much of the video because I'm Brazilian and do not speak fluent English, but I understand many parts too!
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, I am happy because it is the first person from another country who comments there.
xoxo
(http://cloudl4nd.blogspot.com.br/)
Dear Vanessa,
ReplyDeletethank you so much for your kind comment on my blog :) I really, truly can relate to what you're talking about in your video. I am always scared - about everything. I almost quit studying English, because I need to spend 12 weeks abroad during my studies, but in the end I ended up on Malta (now week 3 out of 12 ;) ) and I wouldn't say I'm glad that I did it, by now - but I am glad that I haven't given up just yet another thing that could have been important in my life. So, thank you for sharing your thoughts :)
oh, and what makes me happy? I guess it's knowing that the future (hopefully in all its glory ;) ) is yet to come :)
Have a wonderful evening!
this was Cici from http://cicicookiecream.blogspot.com/ ... sometimes it's hard to deal with comment-devices ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a fantastic time on Malta, Cici! Traveling and living abroad are such wonderful experiences!
ReplyDeleteThank you for watching, Lu!
ReplyDeleteI'm really glad to hear that, Jess! Stress is such an awful thing. I try not to get stressed about things anymore :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear that you are working on being more optimistic as well :)
ReplyDeletelove this! xx
ReplyDeletewww.vicariousLA.com
Aw! You make me happy Vanessa. :) Great post and so true about what's at the root of all of this.. or at least is if you're lucky to know what makes you happy.
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful! I love your outlook on life. Lovely blog you have here. I'm your newest follower :) Would you mind checking out our blog & following back via GFC and Bloglovin'? Looking forward to your next post! xx
ReplyDeletesixthtractate.blogspot.com
i love your videos:-) and i'm trying to turn my pessimism (which i actually label as realism) into more of a positive attitude too! x
ReplyDeletehttp://livedlovedlaughedcried.blogspot.co.uk/
Hi Vanessa, thank you for leaving a comment on my blog. I turn 30 this year too, and it is a little scary, or more, a big looming number... but I am learning that it is okay to be where you are and where you are not. In that, I do not have kids of my own, or a house etc, but I am making tracks in my own work, and I have great friends and those things make me happy. Great videos, I shall be sure to keep watching.
ReplyDelete:)
Jenelle
If only I could watch your videos. The sound/speakers is broken on my computer. But I have to say... cute hair, love the wallpaper behind you, and you are the third person to mention the Happiness Project. Hmm maybe it is a sing that I should read it?
ReplyDeletehttp://iliska-dreams.blogspot.com.au/
What a lovely post Vanessa. I'm like you I tend to be quite pessimistic too. I'm trying to change that but easier said than done. By the way you have done well with the hairstyle - it's very pretty!. Thanks for visiting my blog too
ReplyDeletehttp://forcailini.blogspot.com
:) xx
ReplyDeleteThanks Jenelle! I like your attitude towards turning 30. It's really good to find ones own speed and not rush things just because society might say its time to do certain things at a certain time.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear your speakers are broken :(
ReplyDeleteI haven't read The Happiness Project but I'm very curious about it. If you do read it, please let me know what you think!
I love your blog.
ReplyDeleteDespite not knowing much English,
I translated your texts in the translator,
because it really was blown away ...
Wow, thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteMay I say, you're the sweetest in your video! Are you an actress??
ReplyDeleteI need to feel accomplish to be happy... :)
http://www.frenchinlosangeles.com/
Great post! I loved this video it was so honest and very relatable. I am also a fellow worrier and turning 30 this year. Keep up the wonderful blog :)
ReplyDeletexo,
Jamie
http://inspirationlush.com/
Hi V, forgot to mention, I love your "hearts" background in this video. What is it? I was also going to ask, did you ever get a haircut/find a new hairdresser?
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Claire
Hi Claire! The hearts are actually gift wrapping paper from IKEA. I'm sure you can get it in the States as well. Glad you like it! And yes, I made a very stupid rash decision one day to just walk into a hairdresser that I happened to stand in front of. They gave me a mullet. Can't say I was too pleased with it :( Thankfully curly hair is very forgiving...next time I'll go to the one that you recommended!
ReplyDeletei haven't read the happiness project, but i've heard amazing things about it. have you seen the documentary "happy." that's another one that i want to watch soon! to me, it's about the little things making me happy, like finding a new hairdo (like your fab jennifer lawrence recreation).
ReplyDeletewww.insparisian.com
I haven't even heard about that documentary. But now I'm very intrigued. I'll see if I can find it somewhere. Let me know if you watch it what you think of it :)
ReplyDeleteThank you Constance. Yes, I am an actress! Or at least trying to be :)
ReplyDeleteI have spend my life looking for happiness too, until I finally realised that happiness in within me.. Peace and calm mind and soul, contetment with the person I am are and not wanting to be any other. Liking myself and not letting anybody hurt me.
ReplyDeleteYour hair is so pretty! Love how it turned out :)
ReplyDeleteTrendy Teal
lovely wallpaper with hearts <3
ReplyDeletewww.classicorcool.com
Wow, what an awesome blog you have here!
ReplyDeleteschön!!!!!!
ReplyDelete<3
ReplyDeletejust read the first time about your project - sounds really awesome and I hope you it will turn out the way you imagine it to be!!
ReplyDeleteI've just bought a similar book for a friend of mine - these kind of books are awesome!
have a great day
x
http://www.worryaboutitlaterr.blogspot.com
What a great project! And you will be one of those people that floats through because you are putting wonderful things out there! What a lovely blog you have here! Thanks for popping over to my space!!! Have a great week and weekend!!!
ReplyDeleteYour project and blog are incredible! So glad to of found you:) so much joy on this blog- it's awesome!
ReplyDeleteLove that little video, it's honest and uplifting because you mention what you perceive as negatives in such a positive way. You admit to being scared and that in itself it very positive - if you know what I mean... I'm very much the same, there are things I haven't done because I've been scared to fail or being rejected. On the other hand, I've done things which I found really tough and scary and am happier for it...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your lovely birthday message, I so appreciate it. One of my goals is to make blogging more than just a hobby and I've taken the first steps which isn't too scary as I was approached by the other party and I'm keeping my day-job at the same time ;-)
Have a lovely week xo
That is such great news! I can't wait to see where your blog takes you to! I really love all of your posts! xx
ReplyDeleteWelcome :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet, Nicole! Thank you. I hope you have a wonderful week and weekend as well :)
ReplyDeleteThis project is so great, I hope you find happiness!
ReplyDeleteOh, what you described about missing out on things because I was sure I wasn't going to get it, or because I was nervous is definitely me. Sometimes these have been the right decisions (I said no to a job in the middle east and the next week the Arab Spring happened), some I really wonder about (taking a job in Prague as an English Tutor). That's part of what i find so admirable about your project. you are just Going For It.
ReplyDeleteI read and really loved The Happiness Project. Some small parts I found a little harder to beleive because the author's family is very well off. But on the whole I really found it interesting and inspiring. I think it is possibly to work to be happier and more content (more like you are taking care of yourself and being aware of your emotional state, which is what the book is about). Hope you read it!
www.withoutastyle.com
Thank you, Kristian! I really do want to read the book. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteDelighted that you stopped by! L-O-V-E your blog!!!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful!
ReplyDelete- Aimee
SwellMayde.com
Hey Vanessa, I feel like I'm the same! I'm incredibly rational about many of my "big" life decisions...to the point where I wonder "Is this the right career choice for me" or "Why didn't I just take a leap of faith and try to do something artistic with my life?" (Because the scared, rational part of me said "You'll never make a living doing that!") But on the other hand, maybe being a bit scared and rational IS a good thing when it comes to big decisions about your life...If I just decided on spontaneous whims what I want to do, I don't think that would help either!...A middle road between the two would be perfect :)
ReplyDeletexoxo Amie @ Spoonful of Vintage
Another lovely little video, thank you! You look and sound so cheery that it's difficult for me to imagine you as being pessimistic at all. I have two books by Robert Holden, Be Happy and Shift Happens. I've also been to two conferences where he has spoken at. He is the director of the Happiness Project. Not sure if it's the same as the book you speak of.
ReplyDeleteA middle ground sounds perfect :) I think being rational and realistic about choices is good but you should also listen to your inner voice that tells you what you want to do. It's tricky to know when to listen to what!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if that is the same Happiness Project as the book. But it also sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! It's no secret the world is obsessed with youth. I really gravitate towards the eastern notion that as you age you should be more revered. Great post! :>
ReplyDeleteAlso, would you mind voting for me on American Eagle's site. Takes 2 secs lol: https://live.ae.com/#/entries/3272
I'd really appreciate it! Please and Thank You!
You are seriously such an inspiring person! I haven't read that book but I really want to now. I need to focus on happiness myself. Have you tried Happify at all? I'll send you one of my invites in case you haven't - it's really neat and I think you'd like it!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Katherine! I haven't heard of Happify. Thank you so much for emailing me the link, I'll definitely check it out :)
ReplyDeleteHi Vanessa! I really love reading your post. You don't look 30, im serious.
ReplyDeleteBeing in 30's is probably one of the best thing that can happen in life.
Well, it always happiness and sadness is partners in life. It's like spices in our life.
If that doesn't exist well our life would probably not normal.
Anyway I love your blog, love reading it. Hope fully you can visit my blog site
http://iloveeverythingaboutit.blogspot.com/
Hi Vanessa! Thank you for dropping by at my blog hope you find it interesting. If you do we can follow each other. Just let me know
ReplyDeletehttp://iloveeverythingaboutit.blogspot.com/
A mullet? LOL your hair looks good so I can't tell if you have a mullet :-) O.k. best wishes & good luck w/ the hairdresser search.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just turned 50 and let me tell you honestly -- the 30s and 40s are really great years! Especially the 30s. So look forward to this birthday and get excited, because your best years are ahead of you. And now I will tell you I really do NOT like the Happiness Project or author -- I know this is not a popular opinion and most people will tell you how much they love her, but I don't think people need to try that hard to be happy. Her methods don't seem genuine to me (more like a money-making venture for the author). I am NOT a naturally happy and carefree person -- but I also know now what works for me, and I work hard to look at the positive side of things, and treat myself often to people and things that make me happy, and to be grateful and embrace what I have and what's around me. But all types of points-of-view are needed in this world -- especially for artists and filmmakers. Most people are NOT naturally happy and positive 100% of the time, so your own unique point-of-view and feelings about life are what make YOU unique as an artist and as a person, and being honest about who you are is also what will connect you to your audience. Tschuess!!
ReplyDeleteVanessa, being positive really helps and I wish a lot more people choose and dig deeper into a positive future. I started reading the Happiness Project awhile back but never got the chance to finish it. it's also funny how you mention about the people "who seem to float through life without a care in the world.." A lot of people always think of me that way, but in reality, I'm pretty neurotic, OCD, and emo about so many things in life. What I have mastered though is a poker face and over the years, I have tried really hard not to let the opinion of others affect my life, my way of thinking, and my way of being. We are all individuals with our own identities and character and we all need to embrace that about ourselves and about others.
ReplyDeleteThat is so interesting! I have a few friends who I thought were the happiest people ever until I got to meet them and, similar to what you're saying, it was just sort of a front. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts on the book! I still haven't read it but I can totally see what you're saying!
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