Hey angelsss,

Even though I am, I might not always seem like a deep person because of the way I act most of the time. I tend to be unserious and also don’t take everything seriously. But sometimes, with the right mood and the right people, small talk turns into these beautiful, rememberable conversations.

A few weeks ago, I had one of those with a friend of mine. We talked about happiness. What it means. What it is.
Ever since, that conversation has been stuck in my head. I wanna spill my thoughts to that.

First question: what is happiness? Weird question, right?
Everyone knows what happiness is. But how would you actually describe it?

I looked it up, and the first definition I found was:

the state of being happy.

Wow. So poetic. Thanks, Google I’d came up with that myself.
So I thought about this for a moment.

In my opinion, the only thing you truly need to feel happiness, is a soul.
Why do I say soul, and not mind or functioning senses? Because how else could people who are blind, deaf, or living with other conditions experience happiness? You don’t need to see it, hear it, or touch it. Happiness is not about senses. It’s about a feeling.

There are things you don’t need to be happy. And things you actually do need.

Here’s what I came up with:

What you don’t need:

• The perfect body or the smallest version of yourself
• A relationship just so you’re not single
• A huge friend group
• Expensive clothes or fancy vacations
• Everyone liking you
• A life that looks perfect online
• Constant plans or endless productivity

What you do need:

• Feeling safe and comfortable in your own skin
• People who let you be your unfiltered self
• Moments where you forget time and even forget to check your phone
• Loving yourself, and showing that love on good days and bad

I think these moments are the secret ingredient.
The moments where you lose track of time, laughing until your stomach hurts, when everything just feels better.

And happiness isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s quiet. Hearing your favorite  song in the mall, watching a sunset so pretty you just have to take a photo, or that comforting silence when you’re with someone you love.

From what I’ve seen in my 15 years on this earth, most people fall into two categories: the optimistic and the pessimistic.
I’d say I’m naturally on the optimistic side. That doesn’t mean I’m always happy or positive. Life happens and you can’t plan everything because fate always might surprise you. But I try to look for the good even in the chaos. And honestly I think optimists tend to be the happier ones.

One thing helps me is romanticizing everything, even the annoying stuff. Boring chores, nights when nothing’s going right. I try to see them as part of my story. (If you’re interested, click here.)

Imagine your life as a TV show. Something like Gossip Girl, Extraordinary You, or Gilmore Girls. Be honest: Would you watch a show where the main character is constantly unhappy and doomscrolling? Exactly. Boring.

Not everything has to go perfectly. But trying to see beauty in everything, in the good and the bad, can change everything.

But, and this is important: if you feel like nothing helps and you’re constantly unhappy, even when you’re trying to change that, please reach out for help. Talk to your parents, a close friend, or even a teacher you trust. There are also anonymous hotlines if you want to talk without sharing your name. And therapy can Always be an option if you can access it.

Because you deserve to feel happy.
XOXO,
Leona 💋