It’s hard to find happiness. We chase it during the workday by telling ourselves that we shall find tranquilly during our lunch breaks or after we leave the office. In an effort to commercialise it, we try to persuade ourselves that by changing our wardrobes, we will experience the sensation of assurance and happiness that encourages assertiveness and wellbeing.

The cubicle is one of the best places in the world to imagine future feelings of happiness.

Cubicles are voids in existence. There is a want to continue consuming things from the outside world to fill the sense of emptiness in the centre of your existence, whether it be through constant discussion with co-workers or mindlessly scrolling through stuff on your numerous screens. Your urge to get away from it only serves to deepen and prolong this feeling of emptiness.

If you really want to find happiness in a cubicle, you need to try a different approach.

Here are five steps to find happiness in a cubicle:

1. BE PRESENT.

So frequently, we turn to information consumption to ignore someone or something in our life. We love holding in so that we don’t have to express our deepest emotions, whether it’s an uncomfortable emotion or the fear of vulnerability. Start learning how to float and stop swimming against the current.

Encourage yourself to increase your awareness of yourself and your surroundings rather than avoiding it. Spend five minutes practising mindfulness meditation to regain your composure. Your body will unwind, your mind will settle, and you’ll be able to make the most of each moment as you become more connected to your breath.

2. TAKE BREAKS.

The mind and body are connected. When you sit for hours each day it not only negatively impacts your body, it also influences your mind and your emotions. Set a reminder on your phone to get up and take a short walk. On these breaks, reconnect to your breath and recommit to being mindful.

As you soak up these few minutes, grab some water and stay hydrated. Stretch, and take some deep breaths. After a few short minutes, you’ll have revitalized your energy supply and have a fresh perspective to take back to your chair.

3. BE INTENTIONAL.

When we spend time at our workstations daydreaming about the future or reflecting on the past, we are not being intentionally productive and improving our health. If you can maintain your organisation and maintain your attention, you will not only be able to go up the organisational ladder but also find that you can do more in one hour than your coworkers can in three. Your pride and self-confidence will rise as a result of this production, boosting your outlook on life and your self-esteem.

4. BUILD RELATIONSHIPS.

As you become more intentional, instead of just talking to your coworkers about the weather, you can build more fulfilling relationships. Taking a few risks by disclosing personal information and then asking engaging follow up questions will help you connect with your coworkers in a more meaningful way.

When you build up a support network around your office space, you’ll feel better about commuting to work each day and will feel a sense of happiness when you have to return to the task at hand. Never underestimate the power of genuine relationships.

5. CREATE MEANING.

Not all managers and leaders are outstanding at articulating how your modest contributions contribute to the objectives of the organisation. Do yourself a favour and make a map of how your everyday activities relate to your long-term career objectives and how those career ambitions fit within your current organisation as you continue to develop into a more authentic leader.

Small tasks take on greater significance when you can see how they relate to the objectives of the organisation and how they relate to your own professional objectives. The tiny things will feel more significant if you give them purpose, which will boost your efficiency and satisfaction. Change your viewpoint and regain control of your environment rather of whining about your work.

You have the ability to find the happiness that is present in every moment, whether you’re in a cubicle or elsewhere. You can use your agency to affect the world around you when you shift from being a passive consumer of information to an active producer of your experiences.

You can go from someone who seeks happiness outside of oneself to staying grounded in the inner contentment that is the basis of true fulfilment as you practise bringing awareness and intentionality to everything you do.