Happiness is a direction
How to move towards ‘the good life’ using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
”The Good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” Carl R. Rogers
Many of us find ourselves in situations we didn’t choose or doing things we don’t particularly enjoy. At the time of writing, as society continues to adapt post-COVID-19, these feelings may be more relevant than ever.
This inspiring quote from Carl Rogers reminds us that the good life isn’t a final goal—it’s a direction. A process. A journey of continuous movement toward something personally meaningful.
What Is the Good Life?
This brilliant quote by Carl R. Rogers’ suggests that the good life is not an outcome to be achieved, but it should be seen as a compass giving us a valued direction in life. It is a process. One that we have to be constantly engaged with and to be continually moving towards.
It is about seeing that we can all have a valued based compass helping us choose moves that are towards the person we want to be and the life that we want to have.
It is about acknowledging that there is no one set or right path to get there, and more about the process of moving in any direction that is in line with our values.
TIP - The important thing here is to take some time to consider what those values are.
Your values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work.
Values are not the goals we aspire to but the things we stand for and how we want to behave as we move through life.
Why Values Matter for Mental Health and Wellbeing
Understanding your values can bring clarity and purpose to your actions. Unlike goals, which are outcomes we aim to achieve, values define how we want to live and who we want to be along the way.
To help you identify your values, you could ask yourself;
What sort of person do I want to be?
How do I want to treat ourselves and how do I want to treat others?
What sort of personal
strengths and qualities do I want to cultivate?
What do I want to do?
How do I want to behave?
How would I want to be remembered?
Turning Values into Action
Once we have more clarity on our values we can bring them into our actions. We can use them within our actions, and always when we do this, whatever we are doing becomes more rewarding.
This perspective is from the Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) model of therapy which many of the My Therapist Online experts are trained and experienced in using.
Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an action-oriented approach to psychotherapy that stems from traditional cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
What Is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
This blog draws on principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—a form of psychotherapy that many My Therapist Online practitioners are trained and experienced in.
ACT is grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and integrates mindfulness, values-based living, and psychological flexibility to help people manage distress and take meaningful action.
How ACT Helps with Emotional Wellbeing
ACT can help people recognise how trying to avoid, suppress, block or push away challenging experiences can cause problems. Instead, it helps people accept their negative thoughts and feelings and become better at taking action towards more valued behaviours that support well-being.
ACT teaches that trying to avoid or suppress uncomfortable emotions often makes things worse. Instead, it helps us:
Accept difficult thoughts and feelings without judgment
Stay present in the moment
Take committed action in line with our values, even in the face of discomfort
By accepting what we can’t control and taking action on what we can, we become more resilient and connected to what really matters.
Final Thoughts: Living with Purpose, Not Perfection
At My Therapist Online, we believe that therapy isn’t just about symptom reduction, it’s about helping you live a meaningful, values-driven life. The good life is available to all of us, not as a perfect destination, but as a path we walk every day with intention and care.
Whether you’re feeling lost, stuck, or simply seeking greater fulfilment, identifying your values can be a powerful starting point. Our therapists are here to support you on that journey.
Written by:
Lisa is an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and EMDR Therapist with over 20 years of clinical experience and specialist expertise in treating anxiety-related conditions. She spent seven years at the renowned National Anxiety Disorders Service at Bethlem Royal Hospital, working alongside Professor David Veale, and has been delivering highly effective online therapy since 2012. Lisa specialises in the treatment of OCD, BDD, and Emetophobia, and is passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based therapy that fits around people’s lives.
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