We’ve all been there. Rushing around with our busy lives. Getting kids to school or fighting traffic to get into work. Then when we arrive home, it’s dinner, homework, house chores, and then maybe a few minutes of television before bed. We’re all part of “the grind” of day-to-day life. So, when you lay your head to rest at night, do you ever find yourself thinking, “There’s got to be more than this?” Despite your jam-packed schedule and constant state of movement, do you sometimes wonder: how do I feel fulfilled, and not just busy? And, what can bring more happiness to my life?
Happiness is such a personal idea. What might make one person happy, might not make another happy. We’re all unique individuals with unique goals and dreams, hobbies and careers, passions and desires. How can we possibly know what would make us all happy? The answer might surprise you.
So, what is the one thing you’re not doing that can bring you happiness?
Inviting them in.
Does this answer surprise you? Don’t worry. It took a long time for us to realize how inviting them in can unlock previously unreachable happiness in our lives. But, you might be wondering: invite who in, exactly?
Invite your people in, whoever that might be. If you’re like us, your people might be comprised of a smorgasbord of family and friends. While “our people” include our grandmothers, Mimi and Nana, and other family members, it also includes our childhood friends, fellow church members, people we’ve connected with through our kids’ lives, and those we’ve connected with through our years in the hosting industry. Your people are unique to you. And that’s why this answer is the same for everyone, but also perfectly unique at the same time.
Happiness is Connection
We might think we can live without connection, but humans are all social beings. (Yes, even you introverts out there!) Therefore, we actually need connection in order to achieve the happiness we seek. So, let’s talk about how to let them in. Because there’s inviting them into your home, and then there’s inviting them into your heart.
Invite Them Into Your Home
We believe that inviting loved ones into your home allows you to connect through deeper conversations and stronger relationships.
How to invite them into your home:
Find the hosting and entertaining pieces that make you want to open your doors.
We launched APIARY, our shop of heirloom-quality pieces, to help simplify hosting. Each piece, made with love, is meant to be shared with loved ones. Open your doors with confidence and build a hosting and entertaining collection that makes you want to invite them in.
Embrace the #HostfulHack lifestyle.
Does inviting them in feel overwhelming? Discover Hostful Hacks that allow you to only focus on what matters and forget the rest. Furthermore, our Hostful Hack Handbook keeps frequently-asked hosting questions and answers at your fingertips so your hosting prep is as stress-free as possible. Spend less time in the kitchen with Halfway Homemade and simple recipes. And, that messy house? Check out our 5-Minute Cleaning Hack to help you with that. Embrace the #HostfulHack lifestyle and you’ll never look back.
Invite Them Into Your Heart
Sure, opening up your doors is the first step in unlocking more happiness in your life. However, if your heart isn’t open as well, then you’re still limiting yourself from truly achieving connection with others. (And, remember, we all need connection!) So, inviting your people into your heart is an even deeper level of connection that will ultimately let you into an even more fulfilling level of happiness.
Let go of perfection and stop the game of comparison.
Theodore Roosevelt once famously said, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” This idea is more relevant now than ever with the world of social media. And as we look at the curated content on our phones, we think, “We’re not good enough.” And that, my friend, is how our joy is taken away from us. Then we stop opening up ourselves to others due to insecurities deeply ingrained in ourselves.
However, the sooner you realize that perfectionism and comparison to others is actually limiting your happiness, you might finally start to let go. Try only following accounts that inspire you or bring about positive change to your life. Limit your daily time on social media. Start a morning or evening gratitude journal to begin or end your day with thanks. These small choices will help you let go of what you think a good hostess should be, and instead, be the good hostess you already are.
Show up as you are, so you can meet them where they are.
Do you hold your friends and family to the same standard you hold yourself to? If a loved one didn’t have styled hair, had laundry sitting on their couch, or pulled out pre-made appetizers when hosting, would you judge? No, of course not. You’re there to see them, not pass judgement on their homes or lives. We need to start treating ourselves like we treat others: with grace. Once we begin to treat ourselves with a bit of grace, we can start to realize that showing up as we are is exactly what our loved ones need. (And, exactly what we need too.)
Are you ready to achieve more happiness in your life? Invite them in. Make the call. Send the text. Welcome your people in. Stop the comparisons. Embrace your imperfections. Open your heart.
You are #hostfulatheart. And, you’re ready for more happiness.
So, invite them in. You won’t regret it. We promise.
Hap-bee hosting, friend!
Leave a Reply