Happiness Blocks: Why Feeling Good Can Feel So Hard

We say we want to be happy… but then why does happiness often feel out of reach? In this episode, Jille Bartolome, Master Certified Coach and founder of Life School, explores the hidden blocks that keep us from experiencing joy, even when we crave it most. From trauma responses like foreboding joy to deeply ingrained patterns of over-responsibility and productivity addiction, we’ll dive into why our nervous systems sometimes resist the very feelings we long for. You’ll also hear powerful research, relatable stories, and practical tools for gently re-learning how to feel safe with happiness. This isn’t about toxic positivity. It’s about transformation, grounded in science, emotion, and soul. In this episode, we’ll explore: • Why joy is one of the most vulnerable emotions • The subconscious patterns that block happiness (even when life looks “good”) • What the science of neuroplasticity and positive emotion teaches us about joy • How our relationships play a central role in our happiness • Simple, powerful ways to start letting more joy into your life Reflection Question: What if happiness isn’t something you have to earn, but something that’s been waiting for you to allow? Affirmation: I give myself permission to feel good. I’m safe to be happy. I’m worthy of joy. Resources Mentioned: – Dr. Brené Brown’s research on foreboding joy – Barbara Fredrickson’s “Broaden-and-Build” theory – Harvard Study of Adult Development (longest-running happiness study) – The Happiness on Purpose course at www.cplifeschool.com Subscribe to The Butterfly Code and leave a review if this episode moved you. Your joy is contagious, and your story just might be the inspiration someone else needs.