3 Powerful Lessons I’ve Learned This Year to Boost Your Happiness

December: A Pause for Reflection

As the year winds down, it's the perfect time to pause, reflect, and celebrate how far we've come. December offers a natural opportunity to look back on our experiences, acknowledge our growth, and prepare ourselves for the year ahead. Reflection helps us understand the lessons we've learned, the challenges we've overcome, and the ways we've evolved. In this article, I’m sharing the top three lessons I’ve learned this year, along with the ways I’ve grown, in the hopes that they may inspire you on your own journey. Let’s dive in and reflect on the wisdom we’ve gained—because when we pause to reflect, we create the space for meaningful change and growth.

Takeaway 1: Life Does Not Have to Be Perfect for My Happiness to Be a 10/10

This year, I’ve learned that perfection isn’t necessary for happiness. There are definitely areas of my life where I want to see personal growth, change, and more—but even with those desires, I’ve found extreme joy and contentment in so many moments. It’s because I stopped thinking that life has to be perfect in order for me to be happy.

In fact, I’ve come to embrace that imperfection is part of what makes life so fulfilling. Life cannot possibly be perfect, and that’s okay. In accepting that, I see that I am already whole and complete, exactly as I am, in my imperfect journey. Life isn’t a flawless painting—it’s a dynamic, ever-evolving experience. And in that imperfection, I find its perfection.

How You Can Apply This to Your Life:

If you’re waiting for everything in your life to align perfectly before you can be happy, let this be your permission slip to enjoy where you are right now. Start by acknowledging that imperfection is a natural part of life. You don’t have to wait for the perfect circumstances to start living fully. Look for joy in the small, imperfect moments and recognize that you are already enough, as you are. Embrace where you are now, knowing that this journey is unfolding exactly as it should.

Related Inspirational Quote:

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen

This powerful quote by Leonard Cohen beautifully illustrates the idea that perfection is an illusion. It’s in our imperfections, our cracks, that the light—our growth, wisdom, and beauty—shines through. Rather than striving for flawless living, we can embrace our imperfections as the very things that allow us to experience the richness of life. When we let go of the need for perfection, we open ourselves to the brilliance that already exists in our imperfect journey.

Takeaway 2: I Can Hold Two Opposing Truths, Thoughts, or Emotions at Once

I used to think that if I felt sad about something, then I was sad—like my entire being had to be consumed by that one emotion. But this year, I’ve learned that I can hold seemingly opposing truths side by side. I can feel sadness about one thing and happiness about another in the very same moment. They don’t cancel each other out; they coexist.

I’ve discovered the beauty of bothness: I can want something more from life while being deeply grateful for what I have. I can acknowledge my imperfections and still know I am perfect as I am. Someone can do something hurtful and still not be a bad person at their core. Life doesn’t have to exist in absolutes; it exists in the fullness of experiences. By embracing this duality, I’ve found that life feels more spacious and less rigid. I can live with complexity and thrive within it. I now live in nuanced experiences instead of absolutes.

How You Can Apply This to Your Life

We often fall into the trap of thinking in black and white—it’s a natural tendency to simplify life’s complexity. But when we allow ourselves to embrace the both/and perspective, we free ourselves from unnecessary tension and struggle.
Here’s how you can practice holding two truths at once:

• Name Your Emotions: When you’re feeling a strong emotion, pause and ask yourself if there’s another feeling present. For example, if you’re sad, can you also find something to be grateful for?
• Reframe Situations: Try to see people and situations through a lens of bothness. Ask yourself, “What’s another truth that could coexist here?” For example, “I didn’t get the job I wanted, but I learned a lot in the process.”
• Accept Duality in Yourself: Remind yourself that you are a multifaceted being. You can be flawed and still worthy, struggling and still resilient. Embracing this will help you approach yourself with more compassion.
  By practicing this mindset, you can experience life with greater balance and ease. It’s not about eliminating pain or joy—it’s about allowing both to exist and honoring them.

Related Inspirational Quote

"Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)" – Walt Whitman

This quote beautifully captures the essence of duality and the human capacity to hold seemingly opposing truths within us. It reminds us that life isn’t about narrowing ourselves into one dimension but about embracing the many aspects of our being.
When you allow yourself to “contain multitudes,” you let go of the pressure to define yourself or your experiences in singular terms. You open yourself to the richness of being human: full of contradictions, complexity, and depth.
By living in this space, you can find peace with the idea that life doesn’t have to be neatly categorized—it can just be, and that’s enough.

Takeaway 3: Compassion Is An Unexpected Path To Freedom

One of the most unexpected tools to increase happiness has been compassion. Compassion helps me stop judging others, which in turn allows me to unite with them on a human level. It also helps me release grudges and let go of bitterness. Instead of holding onto negativity, compassion teaches me that everyone is doing the best they can with the tools they have—and their actions are often shaped by their own experiences, pain, and challenges.

Compassion doesn’t mean excusing harmful behavior or accepting poor actions. Instead, it means seeing the bigger picture. It allows me to understand why people act the way they do without letting it affect my own happiness. In this way, compassion is freedom. Through the lens of compassion, every action can make sense, and I’m able to release the grip that resentment and anger used to have over me. The bitterness is gone from my being, and that is freedom.

How You Can Apply This to Your Life

Take a moment to practice compassion with someone who’s hurt you. Try to understand where they’re coming from, without justifying their behavior. Reflect on their past, the pain they may be carrying, and their personal struggles. You don’t have to condone their actions, but by seeing them with compassion, you can release the hold that anger or resentment has on your life. Choose freedom—choose peace.

Related Inspirational Quote

"Compassion is the radicalism of our time." – Dalai Lama

This quote reminds us that showing compassion is a powerful, transformative act. It’s not just a kind response—it’s an act of resistance against the negativity that holds us back from true peace and happiness. By choosing compassion, we reclaim our freedom.

Your Own Reflection

As we approach the end of this year, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on your own growth and the lessons you’ve learned. Reflection is an essential tool for understanding how far you’ve come and gaining clarity on where you want to go. It helps you celebrate your wins, learn from your challenges, and set the stage for the next chapter of your life.

To support your journey, I’ve created a special resource that will guide you through this process: Live With Intention: Reflection & Intentions for The New Year. This printable is designed to help you reflect on the past year, celebrate your growth, and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead. Whether you're seeking clarity, motivation, or a fresh start, this tool will help you create a life that aligns with your values and dreams.

Ready to Plan Your Best Year Yet?

Click below to get started and set the intention to make 2025 your most purposeful year yet!
[Get Your Printable Here!]