the key to happiness
February 12, 2017Ok so this is my typical day; wake up, deal with 2 kids who don’t want to wake up and shower, get scolded by Dean because I take too long to get ready myself, go to work, face 50 problems consisting of internal and external work issues, back to back meetings that I still have to concentrate in despite having the 50 problems that day, research the person I’m meeting with before I have a meeting with them, pick up my kids from school and send them home, go back to office either FV’s or dUCk’s or both, have a photoshoot or interview for media to talk about FashionValet or dUCk, receive a phone call from Kak Siti that Daniel/Mariam/both have a slight fever, have a management meeting, actually solve the 50 problems, think of future projects to innovate and improve, check and reply all emails, take my ootd quick before the sun comes down because I want to promote the brands I’m wearing that are on FV, plan the week’s outfit based on the collection launches on FV, meet a designer or two to talk about their collection, prepare for a speech if I have to host any events that day, visit the stores at least once a week, pick up grocery on the way home, come home (or to my parents or inlaws house if I sent the kids there on that day) and beg my kids to come kiss me, cook dinner for Dean and the kids, have dinner and fuss about how the kids shouldn’t spill rice everywhere, run around the house playing catch with the kids even though I’m so tired, put the kids to sleep with much difficulty, shower and put on my most comfortable kaftan, cuddle on the couch with Dean and recap our days together where we vent out any frustrations or celebrate any achievements, Dean watches football/works on excel sheets/has a concall with our tech partners in the US, and I will find myself here, on a blank screen that says ADD NEW POST.
Oh, I forgot to mention. I also instagram and instastory and tweet and post on Facebook and reply every single whatsapp message I get throughout the day; personal ones like family chats and friends chats, and work chats as well including ones with heads of departments, ones with full team departments, one with specific projects, private ones with individual team members (there are now 150 of them), ones with multiple departments, ones involving the physical store teams, and the main big happy family one. Oh, times two please because Dean and I have to run both FV and dUCk. And then there will be new whatsapp messages that start with “Hi Vivy, I’m xxxx. I got your number from xxxxx….” which I try to reply if I can but mostly leave for later until I settle my work, which puts me at the risk of being labelled as sombong or stuck up but I have no choice.
Oh, how can I forget! On days that I’m shooting for my reality show Love, Vivy, add having a camera crew follow my every move and then having to do an interview session at the end of every day to recap the day. On these days, I have to have my make up done which means waking up early to make sure there’s ample time to cover those dark circles under the eyes.
Oh, and all of these above are mostly done in heels.
Quite honestly, I don’t even know how to describe my day when people ask me. And at the end of every day, I ask myself Why am I so tired?! and when I recap, I know why. I honestly feel that I have so much to do everyday and 24 hours is just not enough now. I get burnt out from time to time, and when people complain they’re tired to me, I entertain and ask why etc etc, but in my heart I’m like HEY I’M TIRED TOO. My parents complain I don’t have enough time for them (I swear I do, I make it a point to go to their house every other day #clingydaughter), my thumbs are spasming because I overwork them with my endless messages, my phone battery gets drained by the afternoon, my eyebags give birth to new eyebags, and I still can’t stop because I have people counting on me. I cannot imagine a day I can put my phone aside and say screw everything, I want a day off. Never ever. This is entrepreneurship and though everyone seems to want to do that now, I think people underestimate the amount of work and sacrifice it comes with.
But wait, that isn’t my point. All these above isn’t me complaining, I’m just stating. Through each of these things I listed above, I am always smiling with someone, or laughing at a joke (sometimes my own jokes…), and just being happy in general. In my line of work I deal with a lot of designers and celebrities, so you can imagine the ups and downs I can have and the drama and unprofessionalism and back-biting I might face sometimes which I wish I can talk about, but I won’t. Even so, I get back up and move on to the next agenda. An interview recently asked me that question, “How do you remain so positive?”
Honestly, it’s because I’m just a happy person.
How to be happy?
To be grateful. It’s as simple as that.
Instead of grumbling how early you have to wake up, be grateful you even get to wake up to a new day. Instead of complaining about your job, be grateful you even have a job to earn income for your family. Instead of moaning about how you lost a deal (my struggles!), be grateful to have faith that something bigger is meant for you. Instead of being envious of someone having things you don’t have, be grateful for all that you actually do have. Instead of saying how tired you are everyday, be grateful that you don’t have to lay bricks in the hot sun. Instead of whining about the problems you have in your life, be grateful that you still have the power to do something about those problems. Instead of picking on one thing that annoyed you today, focus on the other 10 things that made you smile today. Instead of complaining about how sucky your life is (how many times have we heard that stupid phrase FML), be grateful that you actually have a life.
I honestly think unhappy people are just ungrateful people who fail to see the good things they have in their life. They’re the ones who complain about how that person is richer, this person is prettier, that other person is more famous, and this other person didn’t deserve his success. And that’s such a waste. We are given one life, make the best out of it and choose to be happy and positive always. Ups and downs, that’s just part and parcel of living. The test is how you handle it. For me, people think I don’t have problems; wrong, I do. But my principle is always to solve it asap, don’t dwell/hold grudges and move on. So you can choose either to sulk in one corner with self-pity and post up a deep quote directed to someone you hate hoping they’ll read, or choose to enjoy every bit of it and have a bit of sense of humour to get through this crazy world. The latter sounds way more fun, let’s be honest.
At the end of every day, we must make it a habit to put our hands together and say “Alhamdulillah, thank you Allah for another day. Please guide me through tomorrow.”
the matang vivy. hahahaha
I adore you and Fadza 🙂 stay strong, stay positive!
True. Be grateful. After all, we live only in one day, one moment actually, the present. Future is not promised to anyone. Be happy. Or choose to be happy. Alhamdulillah
i love this post so much. thanks vivy for reminded us about being grateful and see the negatives one in positive ways. i need this reminder the most. because to be honest sometimes i did questioned why my life seems so suck, i guess. but sometimes i do feel happy and the other way around i do feel sad about my life. thanks again for this beautiful post that wakes me up to be a more grateful human being. and i choose to be a happy person.
So inspiring . . True . .no douubt on it . . Need to thank Him no matter what happened . . Stay happy . Be positive ????
Thanks vivy for this post.i cried reading this.a self reminder to me.but sometimes it’s hard to stay positive when you are surrounded with negatives thinkers.but oh well.life goes on and i can have a bit of fun trying to irritate those that try to put you down.
P/s: you still look gorgeous even with a family of eyebags
Thanks for the reminder 🙂 Really needed this.
“Instead of saying how tired you are everyday, be grateful that you don’t have to lay bricks in the hot sun” truly hit the points. I didn’t realize how lucky my life has been until I read this. Thank you vivy for posting this! :’)
i feel so inspired with this post. this makes me become more grateful with my life. instead of complaining we just need to enjoy this short live right.
One of the best way to relax our mind away from all the dunya activities is by going for umrah ???? It works wonder for me. Away from everything, just me & Allah/Rasulullah insyaAllah. Mecca & Madinah are the best magical places in the world. Take care Vivy. Don’t forget to say Alhamdulillah everyday ????
So true – it’s so easy to be caught up looking that the grass is greener on the other side, thinking that people out there have a better life… instead, we just need to be grateful for our life, no matter how imperfect it may be… and just work towards self-improvement. I respect what you have to do to build FV/dUCk into what it is today. Kudos to you and Fadza…
PS: I was almost that person that wanted to whatsapp you after getting your number from someone in the industry… but instead we went thru Iman instead. Thank God Iman checks her emails!!!
Thank you so much for this..you remind me what i really need rn..saying alhamdulillah are the only thing I need..thank you so much for this post..mature side of Vivy..
This is a great post Vivy! Was feeling the Monday blues myself, deadlines and what-not and your post was a great reminder to being thankful with what you have and striving to be the best at what you do. Thank you again for this pick-me-up post. Have a great week ahead girl!
Thank you Vivy, i do really love to read your blog. is so positive & it made me a better person/life! Thank you for always reminding me/us about how to be grateful in our life’s..
;young lady from SG
Glad that you wrote this ❤
To Syaf, thats the right to do. Good for you. I am annoyed when i read someones’s commenting on Vivy’s IG asking on how to get in touch with her..and surprise2 that commenter is a journalist. like duh, you should know better
Yesss syukur is the keyword
Vivy, you forgot to mention the exercises you still do when you get home hehehe part of your new year’s resolution remember hehe
a post really worth the amount of time you spent writing it!
as you mentioned, it really is not about complaining but just stating. just documenting down what is going down with your life so as now we will be more understandable when we click the link and no new post coming up. hehehhehe kidding. I am really liking this post that this is my first time leaving a comment as prove of my gratitude for you to spend some time for your blog reader 🙂 In Syaa Allah will leave more comment afterwards
thanks vivy for the inspiring words.
way to go, vivy!
i-just-need-this-kind-of-post-on-beautiful-Monday.
Alhamdulillah. Thanks Vivy! 🙂
be grateful always, that’s the key to happiness 🙂
THANKS..
A good thing to share. instead of unhappy…..it is much much better we choose happy..
yes! thats what i always tell my daughter when she kept asking for toys/ things etc…should always be thankful with what we have. i may not afford to buy new things errday everyday….but atleast she has some things to play with at home.
thanks vivy for the reminder *hugs and kisses*
And this is why you are so successful and so well-loved. You have the best attitude! <3
This is why i love u ???? #since2011
Wise Word????????♀️, Simple words enough to brighten my day( or my night..). Reading this post makes me to find a new hope! You see, I’m always had problems and I know it’ll never stop, and that made me being so down.. Being underestimated is the worst! And it’s true after all, think positive is key???? And always hold onto The Almighty❤️ Guess after this I’m going to ignore y’all maggots and and live my life to the fullest with family, friends. Thank you Vivy!????
salam vivy…may i copy some of ur words..just bcs… ur words inspired me so much ❤
I don’t know how you juggle these stuff. I’m just few years younger than you are, unmarried, no kids (not even cats) and very available, the only responsibilities i have is myself and my studies…. and i’m still struggling to even decide whether i should shower first, or lie down first after a long day in my uni. haha So much respect at how you two set your priorities
And i keep wondering too.. is D, dean? lol that would be such a twist
i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this post sooo much. done share
love this post so much. thank you vivy, feel so inspired and remind me what i really need.
Salam..Vivy, thanks for your kind advice. Reading this i remember a quote that i heard over from one Ustaz in radio, he says (in Malay) ” Hidup adalah untuk diuruskan, bukan untuk dirungsingkan”. I really made my eyes wide opened.
Remain your positive vibes and let it spread to others.. Thanks.
A powerful reminder to us all. Thank you, V. Much love.
really love this post but somehow it made me think; she did all of these in a day and here i am doing nothing but complaining~ feeling sucks right now
Thanks for the positive vibes. Love you
stop complaining. I get it.
Im so grateful that you still make time to write here 😀 thanks Kak V.
Thank you Vivy…a million likes for this post…as Allah says in the Quran “if you are grateful,surely, I’ll bestow more favors on you” – ibrahim v7
This post really remind me for always be grateful for what I have now. Eventhough there are ups and downs each day just keep positive!
This post remind me to work hard and appreciate 24 hours given to me. Be thankful is the best way to stay positive. Alhamdulillah. Thank you Vivy for this post! 😀
inspiring post.
Thanks Vivy! Such amazingly true words… 🙂
“unhappy ppl are just ungrateful ppl”? i truly think it depends on what makes them unhappy though coZ not all of them ungrateful, it just a state of being that one has to go through. anyways good post as usual.
I cried Vivy. Cried when reading your post in my cubicle at my office. Thank you so much for you kind words. At the end of the day, Alhamdulillah for everything.
adore you laahhh.. so muchhhhh
Gratitude is indeed the way of life. I came here after Bukuaulad gifted you our #AlhamdulillahForSeries Gratitude Journal <3 Absolutely in love with this article as it oozes out so much truth.
You may have less, you may have more – but if you have gratitude, you have enough <3
Just come across your blog
Inspiring post. Love you!
WOW!
that’s a great post!! People should read this to see how lucky we are…
Always be thankful <3
Thank you Vivy…
How to be happy?
To be grateful
All praise to Allah.Just had the crappiest day/mood, decided to do some reading, browse through ur blog, found this so thank you dear:)