In Jan Ellison's "A Small Indiscretion," the idea of achieving happiness is explored through the lens of actively addressing and dismantling sources of unhappiness rather than attempting to change ourselves entirely. The quote suggests that true contentment can be found by identifying and discarding what weighs us down, instead of focusing solely on self-reinvention. This approach implies that happiness is more about letting go of negative influences than trying to reshape one's identity.

The message highlights the importance of recognizing the elements in our lives that contribute to discontent and encourages a proactive stance in dealing with them. By "throwing overboard" unhappiness, individuals can create space for positivity and joy to flourish. Rather than a tedious process of self-reconstruction, the journey to happiness can become a simpler act of liberation from the burdens we carry.