Episode 88

88 - Be Happy Alone or In a Community

88 - Be Happy Alone or In a Community

In this episode, I explore some fascinating cultural concepts related to happiness. We’ll dive into the benefits of walking alone, taking time to relax without feeling the pressure to accomplish anything, and finding comfort in simply being lost in thought. But we won’t stop there! We’ll also discuss how building strong relationships with others can lead to greater happiness and fulfillment, as well as the importance of forgiveness and cooperative work. And with the pandemic still affecting our ability to connect with others, I’ll challenge you to think of ways to regain that sense of community. So grab a cup of tea, sit back, and let’s explore this together.

https://startwithsmallsteps.com/?p=3191

https://www.afar.com/magazine/unlocking-croatias-secret-to-slow-living

https://feeds.croatia.hr/en/fjaka-easy-to-catch-hard-to-explain

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/mamihlapinatapai

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-Dn9rZ5XM

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/588651/happiness–found-in-translation-by-tim-lomas-phd-illustrated-by-annika-huett/9780525538080

https://hifisamurai.github.io/lexicography/

Jill’s Links
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/startwithsmallsteps

Twitter startwithsmallsteps

Email the podcast at jill@startwithsmallsteps.com

About the Podcast

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Start with Small Steps
Thoughtful personal growth through small, realistic steps you can use in everyday life.

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About your host

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Jill McKinley

I’m Jill from the Northwoods. Professionally, I work in Health IT, where I untangle complex systems and help people use technology more effectively. But at heart, I’m a curious lifelong learner—always exploring how things work, why people grow the way they do, and how even the smallest steps can spark real transformation. That curiosity fuels everything I do, from problem-solving at work to sharing insights through my creative projects.

My journey wasn’t always easy. Growing up, I faced a rough childhood, and books became my lifeline. They introduced me to voices of ancient wisdom, modern psychology, and the natural world around me. Those pages taught me resilience, gave me perspective, and helped me see that wisdom is everywhere—waiting to be noticed, gathered, and shared.