The REAL Taubreena

Tag: intentional-living

  • From Quick Fixes to Lasting Fulfillment: Choosing Habits That Truly Nurture You

    Earlier today, I found myself teetering between two choices: heading to a happy hour after work or staying home and ordering comfort food. I’ve been struggling lately with getting back on track with my healthy eating habits, and these temptations often creep in when I’m feeling low.

    At first, I thought it was just about wanting to unwind or treat myself. But as I sat with the urge, I asked myself a deeper question:

    “What is it that I’m really looking for right now?”

    That question shifted everything.

    The Real Need Behind the Craving

    What I realized was that I wasn’t actually craving food or drinks. I was craving a feeling. I wanted to feel important. I wanted to feel seen, special—even if just for a moment.

    Some part of me believed that going out, spending money, or getting attention at a bar would give me that temporary high. Maybe it would make me feel like I had it all together. Like I mattered.

    But I’ve been down that road before. The drinks, the food, the buzz—they bring a momentary hit of pleasure. But afterwards? I almost always feel worse. Ashamed. Sluggish. Emotionally off-center.

    Understanding Level 1 vs. Level 2 Happiness

    This reminded me of something I once heard: the concept of Level 1 and Level 2 happiness.

    • Level 1 happiness is instant but fleeting. It feels good right away, like sipping that drink or biting into your favorite takeout. But the feeling fades quickly—and often leaves guilt or regret in its place.
    • Level 2 happiness is different. It may not feel great in the moment (like putting on workout clothes when you’re not in the mood), but it leaves you with a lasting sense of fulfillment. You feel proud of yourself. You feel aligned.

    Even when I go for walks and don’t enjoy them in the moment—maybe the bugs are out, or it’s too hot—there’s always that moment after, when I’m back home, that I think: I’m so glad I did that.

    Rewiring Old Patterns with New Habits

    If you find yourself pulled toward something you know won’t serve you in the long run, pause. Ask yourself:

    “What am I really hoping to gain by doing this?”

    Chances are, the craving isn’t about the food or drink. It’s about a deeper emotional need—feeling loved, feeling valued, feeling significant.

    And here’s the beautiful part: you’re not broken for wanting those things. You’ve just developed habits that no longer serve the version of you you’re becoming.

    So now, it’s time to build new ones.

    Habits that give you joy after the moment. Habits that help you wake up the next day feeling grounded, not guilty.

    Final Thought: Choose What Nourishes You—Not Just What Distracts You

    The next time you feel the urge to escape into a quick fix, remember this: you’re allowed to want to feel special. You’re allowed to want joy, celebration, connection.

    But you can choose to meet those needs in a way that actually fills you—not drains you.

    You don’t need to numb the craving. You just need to rewrite the response.

    You’re building something better now—and that’s worth celebrating.

    💬 Call to Action

    Have you ever caught yourself reaching for a quick fix when what you really needed was something deeper?
    Drop a comment below and share what you’ve learned about your own triggers and go-to habits. Let’s grow through this together.

  • How Letting Go of Goals Can Actually Help You Achieve Them

    We’re taught to hold on to our goals. To chase them relentlessly. To believe that our dreams only come true when we put in enough time, effort, and hustle. But what if the secret to achieving your long-term goals is… letting them go?

    I know it sounds counterintuitive, but stay with me.

    Most of us have a running list of long-term goals — things we believe will help us level up in life. Maybe it’s learning a new language, running a marathon, or in my case, growing my hair down to my hips.

    We hold on to these goals because we believe they’ll bring us something deeper: confidence, fulfillment, success, or connection. But what if we’ve already achieved the outcome we were seeking — just in a different way?

    Why We Hold On to Long-Term Goals

    Here’s the thing: goals are rarely about the goal itself. They’re about the feeling we think achieving it will bring. But sometimes we become so attached to the outcome that we lose sight of the “why” behind it.

    Years ago, I heard an interview with Arianna Huffington that shifted my perspective. She once had a long-standing goal of learning a foreign language. Eventually, she let that goal go. In doing so, she realized something powerful: she didn’t actually want to speak the language — what she truly wanted was to connect with people from different cultures. And she found other ways to do that.

    That story stuck with me.

    When Goals Start to Feel Heavy

    Recently, I found myself juggling several big goals. I kept pushing, striving, and doing all the “right” things. But instead of feeling motivated, I felt drained and uninspired.

    That’s when I had a quiet realization: Maybe I was chasing accomplishments so hard that I forgot why I wanted them in the first place.

    Let’s go back to my hair goal. I wanted long, healthy, full hair — not just for the look, but because I thought it would make me feel beautiful and confident.

    But here’s the truth: I had already become that confident woman. I had found self-assurance through mindset shifts, healing, and personal growth. I was just so focused on the external representation of my goal that I didn’t recognize I had already arrived.

    A New Way to Set (or Release) Goals

    If this resonates with you, here’s a simple process to explore whether it’s time to let go of one of your long-term goals:

    1. Reflect on a goal you’ve been holding onto for a long time.
    2. Ask yourself: Why do I want this? What feeling or experience am I hoping to gain?
    3. Look closer: Have I already achieved that deeper desire in another way?
    4. Celebrate the win: Write a letter to yourself acknowledging that you’ve fulfilled the outcome — even if it looked different than expected.
    5. Release the goal with gratitude. This isn’t giving up — it’s evolving.

    When we release outdated goals, we make space for new ones that align with who we are now. We open the door to fresh opportunities, deeper fulfillment, and more authentic success.

    You’ve Already Achieved More Than You Realize

    So take a deep breath. Let go of the old bucket list items that no longer serve you. Trust that you’re exactly where you need to be — and that life is still unfolding in your favor.

    You’re already so much closer to the life you want than you think.You might already be living the outcome you once thought a goal would bring.
    Have you ever let go of a goal and found peace or clarity on the other side? Share it in the comments — your story might inspire someone else.