How many of us say to ourselves things along the lines of, “When I lose 10 pounds, I’ll be happy” or “When I get that job, I’ll be happy?” How often to we predicate our future happiness on things over which we have little control? How often do we hold off on letting ourselves be happy with the way things are right now? How often do we postpone our joy?

You deserve to be happy right now, in this moment, in the life that you are living. Sometimes, yes, that can be difficult if you are living with mental illness, substance use, eating disorders or trauma. But, try to remember, there are things in your life that are good, too, and be thankful for those things. Your happiness should not depend on something that has not yet happened.

It can be difficult to find joy when you are struggling with mental illness of any kind. But to some extent, once you make the decision to be happy, happiness often follows. Once you decide to make the move from mental illness to mental wellness, happiness will follow. Yes, it takes work, but there is joy to be found even as you journey toward wellness. The steps you take now to become well should be celebrated. There is joy to be found along the path to wellness.

What can you do today to find happiness in the things that you are doing to move from illness to wellness? Can you celebrate the fact that you got out of bed today and into the shower? Can you pat yourself on the back for getting dressed and making it to work? Can you congratulate yourself for sticking with your medication regime? There is joy to be found in these small things; celebrate them. You deserve to be happy now, today, as well as in the future. There is joy to be found every day. Sometimes, you may have to search a little harder to find the good, but there is good in every day.