How to Feel Good: A Guide for Overthinkers and Procrastinators

Which path is more challenging: working hard, or being committed to *not* working hard?

For the last 6 years, I've been in the exploration of doing only what feels good & right to me. 

This exploration has been especially potent in business, and has included things like:

• saying no to potentially lucrative business & marketing opportunities (like being invited onto popular podcasts, selling WAANDS products on Amazon, and various partnership opportunities)

• continuously posting on social media for 4.5 years, growing a 30k following, then dropping off almost entirely for the past 2.5 years (while hearing a voice in my head scolding me for under-utilizing a valuable platform)

• going through rather long periods of low tangible “output” while being in deep spiritual explorations

• dying to my business vision countless times (meaning, being prepared to let it all go), in service of discovering what's actually alive in me

The Inner Work: Managing Stress and Mental Wellbeing

Part of being committed to doing only what I want to do, has involved constantly being in the study of when & how I end up doing things I don't want to do. 

It has also involved a lot of criticism & judgment.

From others but also within myself. 

Accusations of being entitled, lazy, unrealistic, childish, selfish, out-of-touch, inconsistent, and so on…

And yet there has been a different kind of “hard work” associated with this path. 

The work of combing through & meeting all the patterns, beliefs, & feelings that pull me from my centre and my commitment to feeling good.

Ironically, part of what is required to be in devotion to feeling good, is being prepared to meet a lot of what does NOT feel good. 

Facing Fear and Cultivating Mental Resilience

Frequently, this involves meeting fear, and noticing what kinds of actions & decisions arise to quell the fear. 

The most recent version of this for me, was the creeping in of a voice that said:

“Feeling good has gotten you here, but it won't take you to the next level.”

This got louder when I made the big move to the US. 

Even though the most significant growth and money milestones in my business have come from total ease (without exception),

And the endeavors & investments I've made while NOT coming from a place of feeling good (i.e. some form of obligation, fear, or self mistrust crept in) resulted in plateaus or losses,

(Again, without exception),

I began to reach another “upper limit” in myself for how much I believed I could achieve & receive while staying completely aligned with feeling good & easeful.

A Mindful Approach to Life Satisfaction

One cheeky conversation that has occurred (more than once) with my partner on this topic goes something like…

Me: Sharing my frustration around the need to grow my business.

Him: Asking valuable questions & engaging with my concerns.

Me: Majorly resisting or rejecting any kind of inquiry he's bringing to me.

Him: Noticing my resistance & sensing my body…

Him: “Babe, I think you're being hijacked by some kind of projection or something in your mind telling you you have to do these things. Your body actually seems to feel pretty great about where you are.”

Me: Relaxing completely…

Me: “Feels true. Thank you.”

Overcoming Low Mood and Comparison

The fears & stories that arise along this kind of path are no joke…

“Grow or die”: If you're not seeing a specific kind of growth, everything will go to sh*t and you'll experience inevitable financial decline until there's nothing left!

Comparison: Look where that person has gotten to! You must be doing something wrong if you're trailing so far behind!

Condemnation: You really think you can have ALL that you want, while doing ONLY what you want?

These are the kinds of initiations we must build capacity to find our centre within, in order to stay committed to feeling good

What Do You Value? A New Perspective on Mental Wellbeing

So what do you think?

Is it more challenging to work hard, or to be committed to not working hard?

Personally, I'm more interested in asking: What do I VALUE?

Because what looks like “hard work” to one person, can feel like the path of highest pleasure to someone else.

What drains one person's energy, can feel like the most worthy & energizing path to another.

The Key to Feeling Better: Listen to the Body

How do we discern the difference?

We consult an intelligence that cannot lie:

The body.

By uncovering & attuning to the body's wisdom, we can access an internal “GPS” system that is always providing feedback on:

What feels good, what's aligned, what's alive, what has energy…

What obligation feels like, what fear feels like & how we respond to it, what feels like “work”, what has us feel LESS connected to ourselves…

And for women desiring to access even deeper layers of discernment & self-knowing,

We uncover & attune to the intelligence of

(She happens to be very specific about what feels good, and what does not 😉).

Ready to Feel Good? Join the Journey

If you're ready to commune more deeply with your body in devotion to creating a life that feels good, join me for the journey here.

FAQ

• How do you make yourself feel good?

  Feeling good is about cultivating physical health, mental wellbeing, and deep attunement to the body’s wisdom. The way we feel is an ongoing conversation between the body, brain, and emotions, and when we spend time listening, we can navigate life with more ease and pleasure.

  
  

  One of the simplest ways to feel better is to slow down and take a few deep breaths. This signals the nervous system to shift from stress to relaxation, reducing stress hormones and creating space for positive emotions. Spending time in fresh air, moving the body through exercise, and allowing for deep rest all contribute to a sense of well-being that isn’t fleeting, but foundational.

  
  

  The key? Listen to the body. If something feels draining, disconnected, or misaligned, it probably is. What brings one person happiness may feel like hard work to another. Learning to trust your own sense of joy, pleasure, and ease is the greatest practice of al

• How can I lift my mood quickly?

  If you’re in a low mood, the quickest way to shift your state is to move, breathe, and engage with the present moment. A brisk walk, listening to favorite songs, or doing a simple act of kindness for a friend, co-worker, or family member can work wonders in bringing more positive affect into your day.

  
  

  One study in positive psychology found that practices like gratitude journaling, meditation, and spending time in nature can significantly improve mental health and overall life satisfaction. Even something as small as a break from screens, a nourishing meal, or a deep conversation with someone who makes you feel seen can boost your sense of well-being.

  
  

  When you focus on positive experiences instead of getting stuck in negative thoughts, you create momentum toward feeling better.

• How can I get to feeling better?

  The answer to feeling better is in allowing the body to guide the way. If you’re experiencing anxiety or tension, try taking a few deep breaths, stepping outside, or engaging in a sensory experience that pulls you back into the present.

  
  

  Research in public health shows that enough sleep, proper nourishment, and strong relationships play a huge difference in mental well-being. Practices like meditation, time management techniques, and listening to the body’s needs can help us cope with daily stress while avoiding burnout.

  
  

  Sometimes the most helpful strategies are the simplest: play, laugh, rest, and trust that joy is not something to chase, it’s something to receive.

• How to stop low mood?

  Low mood is often the result of negative thoughts, unmet needs, or disconnection from pleasure. Instead of fighting it, try gently redirecting your focus toward something nourishing. Whether that’s movement, creativity, connection, or rest, small shifts in attention can work wonders for your overall mental health.

  
  

  Studies in positive psychology suggest that practicing gratitude, spending time in nature, and prioritizing self-care all have measurable benefits on mood and mental wellbeing. Instead of pushing through or ignoring discomfort, practice kindness toward yourself, it’s in learning to feel fully that we gain the deepest capacity for pleasure, resilience, and joy.

Meet Your Author

Courtney Davis

Courtney Davis is a leading force in female sexual wellness, empowering women to reconnect with their body’s wisdom to experience more fulfilling intimacy and pleasure, and as an avenue to express the fullness of who they are in the world. As the founder of The Empowered Woman and Viva La Vagina™ online membership, Courtney guides women on a transformative journey at the intersection of sensuality, spirituality, and empowerment. Beyond conversations, she creates tangible tools for transformation, including WAANDS™ Crystal Sex Toy Boutique and Free Bleed® Waterproof Intimacy Blankets, products designed to help women discover and embrace their body’s wisdom, deepen self-love, and celebrate pleasure. With years of experience helping women unravel shame and overcome conditioning that diminishes confidence, Courtney is a trusted authority on guiding women to embrace their full potential and unlock life-changing pleasure. Originally from Calgary, Canada, she now lives in Austin, Texas.