International Day of Happiness is arranged by the United Nations annually on March 20. It serves to remind us that being happy is a human right and worth celebrating — and if you’re not already happy on this day, the celebrations may change that!

• Create a joyful workspace with plants and personal touches

• Stay active with breaks and outdoor time

• Foster social connections

• Maintain a healthy routine 

• Practice gratitude

— Ric, Shellie, & Becca

TOPIC

Stocking Your Lifestyle Medicine Cabinet: A Remote Work Happiness Advantage

International Day of Happiness reminds us: joy isn’t separate from work—it belongs in our daily lives. 

Remote professionals have a unique opportunity. Location independence isn’t just about convenience; it’s a tool for creating a fulfilling life. But without intention, freedom can feel more like drifting than thriving.

The Myth of Endless Flexibility

When I first embraced remote work, I thought flexibility alone would create happiness. No commute, work from anywhere—I spent 3.5 years without a formal home. But soon, I found myself overworking, struggling with boundaries, and letting joy take a backseat.

Through trial and error, I realized:
✅ Remote work isn’t just about managing stress—it’s about cultivating happiness.
✅ Intentional routines make the difference.

Your Lifestyle Medicine Cabinet

Instead of prescriptions, let’s stock our Participatory Lifestyle Medicine (PLM) Cabinet with practices that nourish both work and life.

I’ve seen clients—remote and in-office—struggle with this. When we don’t have structures that support both productivity and well-being, it affects us mentally, emotionally, and physically.

A Personal Wake-Up Call

I once packed my schedule with back-to-back sessions. At first, it felt great to be so productive. But soon:
🚨 Creativity flatlined
🚨 Sleep suffered
🚨 I felt disconnected

My body signaled—tight shoulders, low energy, restless nights—but I ignored it. Only when I intentionally created space for joy (morning walks, creative play, unstructured breaks) did I regain clarity and balance.

The Balance of Structure & Flow

A well-stocked cabinet balances yang (structured, goal-oriented energy) with yin (fluid, regenerative energy):

🛠️ Yang (Masculine) Scaffolding: Clear routines, time-blocking, deep work sessions.
🌿 Yin (Feminine) Nourishment: Midday walks, creative play, slow mornings, reflection time.

The Key? Ongoing Adjustment

Balance is a moving target. Some weeks, structure takes over. Other times, we get lost in flow. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s awareness and adjustment.

Your Turn

This International Day of Happiness, ask yourself:
🔹 How can I use location independence for fulfillment, not just convenience?
🔹 What belongs in my Lifestyle Medicine Cabinet?

💡 Want support in designing your own balance? Explore my offerings at ActivXchange.

QUICK TAKES

Joyful

✅ How to Squeeze More Joy Out of Everyday Pleasures – You can’t make the world less crazy, but you can squeeze more joy out of everyday things with this simple trick.

✅ A New Way to Think About the Good Life – There's no one way to live a good life. It's all about what resonates with you.

✅ The Hidden Path to Productivity: 5 Ways to Prioritize Happiness – Many of us subscribe to a fundamentally flawed mental model that says happiness follows success. It’s the other way around.

New Partnership

Entrepreneur Support That Actually Helps

Calling all indie workers! We've teamed up with the Association for Entrepreneurship (AFE) to bring you practical support that's actually useful for solopreneurs and freelancers.

For just $4.99/month, get direct access to legal consultations, networking opportunities, and discounts on business essentials you actually need. No fluff, just tools to help your business thrive alongside people who understand your remote entrepreneurial journey.

As we continue to support you in shaping a life you love, we’re pumped to have AFE’s resources as a key part of your journey.

POLL – NEXT WEEKS TOPIC

Design Your Life: Lifestyle Architecture Poll

As the CEO of your own experience, we want to know:

THE VIBE

News to Use

💡 5 tips for mastering virtual communication. We have all become virtual communicators, and with this comes a new set of rules for interpersonal success.

💡 US workers with remote-friendly jobs are still working from home nearly half the time, 5 years after the pandemic began

💡 Everyone Was Wrong About Remote Work: A Study That Challenges Both Employers and Employees. A recent study dives deep into the topic, offering some unexpected findings that challenge common beliefs about remote work, employee productivity, and inequality in the workplace.

THRIVING TRIBE CHRONICLES

What Remote Happiness Means to Us

We asked readers and community members to share a personal short story on how working remotely has helped them create a satisfying and joyful life.

Read more short stories on our Instagram and LinkedIn accounts 😎

🗓️ COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Escape That Home Office Vortex!

Ready to remember what humans look like in the wild? Your laptop misses you too, but it'll survive. 

From collaborative brainstorming at Asheville's Value Jam (Mar 22) to tipsy trivia at Wilmington's Hells Kitchen (Mar 24), your social calendar is begging for attention. Raleigh remote workers can caffeinate together at Black Ivory (Mar 24), while entrepreneurial spirits can network over beers at Asheville's HatchThis social (Mar 26). Tennessee-based? Knox Base Happy Hour (Mar 27) has your name on it. 

Get out there!

Check out the Community Calendar 🗓️ for the details!

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Until next Thursday! 🕺