Happiness is something that we always hear about. People often ask how you are doing and look for a response of happiness. There are so many quotes about happiness. But it's hard to reach happiness sometimes. As someone who has dealt with depression for almost half my life, I know the feeling of dark days but right now I am at a happy point in life and I couldn't be more excited.
It has taken a while for me to feel the happiness people were talking about. It hasn't been easy. There have been many moments where I have thought I was happy and then quickly turn back to a point where I don't feel as happy. I'm looking forward to starting the last year of college with this new attitude.
People ask me about the change in attitude. I do not know for sure what brought about the change but there are a few mindsets I wanted to share with this happiness. The first one is that I am no longer over concerned with what people think of me. Of course I still think about it but I no longer feel like I constantly have to change to please others. The only person I have to please is myself (and God) but at the end of the day I just focus on being my own source of happiness.
I've also stopped comparing myself to so many others. Instead of asking what can I do to be better than a coworker, I'll ask what can I do to be better than the person I was yesterday. My one goal is to be the best that I can be- not the best I can be when compared to others. Sometimes I still catch myself comparing but I'm reminded to focus on myself and the positive energy that I can give myself.
One big mindset I have found with this happiness is putting things into perspective. It's tough when you have anxiety and depression to look at the big picture but I am learning. I still will get frustrated from time to time but friends and family help remind me about perspective. I'm only 21. I still have a whole life to live and if I'm constantly worried about what's to come then I'll miss all that is happening right now in my life. Time has seem to go by faster each and every year and it makes me realize that I don't want to miss what's ahead of me.
The biggest thing that I've realized is that this happiness feels amazing. I know that I won't always be in this mindset but I hope that I am happy more often than not and take it as it come. Life can truly be so beautiful and so it is great when you experience it with friends, family, and happiness. I know it's a hard road and can get discouraging at times but right now if you're going through a difficult time, keep your head up. It truly does get better.
