How do you balance your "short-term" and "long-term" happiness [see details]?
Asked by
Mariah (
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October 27th, 2016
I don’t really know how to phrase what I mean, so here’s an example: on any given weeknight, I’m often low on energy and don’t really feel motivated to do much besides waste time on the internet. However, I know that if I give into this urge all the time, I will be very dissatisfied with my life, as it will feel meaningless and empty.
Does what you want in the short-term often conflict with what you want your life to be in the long-term? How often do you force yourself to do something you don’t really feel like doing for the sake of your long-term happiness?
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5 Answers
Long term goal rule the world. Short term goals develop more super powers pay off credit card and eat better.
I try to set small, reachable, daily goals. If I achieve my goals for the day, then I self-indulge.
I was never very ambitious. My career was a lock due to a shortage of nurses and because I liked helping people directly at their time of need—and got paid well for it. I did well career-wise. It was interesting.
As for the long-term, I never worried about money (I wasn’t a spendthrift either. I was so busy that there wasn’t time to spend money.). Instead, I developed skills I enjoyed. I picked up the guitar, sketching, sailing, got a captain’s license and became a scuba divemaster, learned how to fish, how to cook—all things that would keep life interesting and bring in a little cash in the later years when I would be put out to pasture. I suppose I could have made more investments, but life turned out OK anyway—and I never laid awake one night worrying about the future.
At my age, I try to corral my happiness into the moment.
I’m like @AnonymousAccount8, after I do the tasks I’ve established for the day, my time is mine to squander. I’m also like @Pachy in terms of seeking current happiness although I am concerned about what the future will bring. I would like to be focusing on more creative things such as my painting but I don’t beat myself up overmuch. I’m kind of at a point in my life where I can live for myself.
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