As a Happiness Coach, I used to believe that it was a choice, and I think "happiness is a choice" is intended to feel empowering...but it has always felt like the opposite to me. That kind of thinking would send me into shame like "why can't I get it together enough to do the things that bring me joy?" or even simply "why can't I just get up off the couch to get water/make food/shower?".
As someone with a history of trauma and a nervous system that is often dysregulated, I'm grateful to now have a better understanding of this, and grateful for this helpful explanation.
Learn to better understand and befriend your nervous system, friends! Doing so has been a vital part of my healing.
