Weekly Happiness Note February 19, 2026
The Power of Living Between the Highs and Lows
“Calm is not boring. It is breathing space.”
Happy Thursday,
Life is often measured by its highlight reel and its hardest chapters. The celebrations. The heartbreaks. The breakthroughs. But most of our days are lived somewhere in between.
When life is neither soaring nor unraveling, it can feel strangely uncomfortable. We look for the next goal, the next milestone, the next wave of momentum. Yet these steady seasons are not empty. They are where we catch our breath, notice what is around us, and quietly build strength.
This week’s Happiness Note is about the power of living between the highs and lows and learning to embrace the calm instead of rushing past it.
This week’s topic and inspiration come from my article: “How to Embrace the In-Between Stages of Life.”
💛 Remember the Good
Be Relieved and Give Thanks
When life is neither soaring nor sinking, there is a quiet gift waiting to be noticed. The dust settles. The noise softens. The urgency fades. This is your invitation to breathe a sigh of relief. Instead of scanning the horizon for what is next, pause long enough to appreciate the steadiness beneath your feet.
Give thanks for the ordinary rhythms. The dishes. The routines. The familiar sounds of your day. The mundane is not meaningless. It is grounding.
Tip for Remembering the Good
Reflection: What ordinary part of today can I appreciate instead of rushing through?
Choose one regular task and engage your senses fully. Notice the sounds, textures, or smells. Let gratitude shift the tone of the moment.
Reflect a Little Deeper:
The calm seasons often go unnoticed because they do not demand our attention. What if you let this one matter?
🌿 Feel Your Best
Celebrate and Start Noticing
You do not have to earn rest. You do not have to prove your strength by constantly moving forward. The in-between is a place to celebrate where you are, not just where you are headed.
Pat yourself on the back for your wins. Offer yourself compassion for the hard roads you have traveled. Then open your eyes and truly notice your surroundings. The birds are still singing. The sky is still shifting. Life is still happening, even here.
Tip to Feel Your Best
Reflection: Where can I soften and acknowledge myself today?
Take one minute to recognize a recent win or a challenge you navigated. Let yourself feel appreciation without minimizing it.
Reflect a Little Deeper:
Celebration does not require confetti. Sometimes it is simply saying, I have come a long way.
🔄 Reset as Needed
Lean In
When the in-between feels uncomfortable, the instinct is often to fill it. To plan. To hustle. To distract. But what if this is the reset? What if this is the space where you lean into calm rather than resist it?
The freedom of the in-between allows you to explore new ways of experiencing your life without urgency. The middle is not a waiting room. It is part of the adventure.
Tip for a Reset
Reflection: What would it look like to lean into calm instead of escaping it?
Instead of asking what is next, ask what is here. Let stillness be enough for a moment.
Reflect a Little Deeper:
The more we practice leaning into these slower paces, the less they feel dull and the more they feel magical. How might you let this steady season serve you?
This Week’s Quote:
Disclaimer: This newsletter’s advice and strategies are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and helpful information, we cannot guarantee outcomes or be held liable for any consequences of using or misusing the information provided. We encourage you to seek professional advice or consult with qualified experts for guidance related to your particular needs.