The Day I Decided to Reclaim My Happiness
A few days ago, I hit a low point I wasn’t prepared for. There was no single reason, no particular event that triggered it. It just happened. I suddenly found myself withdrawing from everything that once gave me joy, happiness, and purpose. I stopped writing, something that always helped me process my thoughts. I stopped talking to my friends and family, the ones who have always supported me. I even stopped working on my vlog and photography—my creative outlets, my passions. Exercise, which used to energize me, felt like too much effort, and I couldn’t even find the desire to watch Netflix.
I was sleeping more than usual, eating when I wasn’t even hungry, and every moment was accompanied by this underlying sadness. It felt like I was stuck in a loop of negative thoughts—thoughts like, “I’m not successful,” “I’m not achieving what I want,” and “Time is slipping away, and I’m getting older.” They just wouldn’t stop.
The thing is, I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know how to pull myself out of it. I felt like I was letting myself down. But then, one evening, something changed. I had this quiet realization: I needed to do something different. I wasn’t expecting a sudden miracle or an overnight transformation, but I knew that small changes could make a difference. It was time to take charge of my life again, even if it was just one small step at a time.
The First Step: Acknowledging Where I Was
The first and most important thing I did was to acknowledge that I was feeling this way. Instead of pushing away the sadness or pretending I was fine, I allowed myself to feel it. I sat with my emotions and told myself, It’s okay to not be okay. We often think we have to put on a brave face all the time, but we don’t. It’s human to feel overwhelmed or lost, and it’s human to need a break. This simple act of accepting where I was at that moment felt like a release.
Starting Small: The Power of Baby Steps
Once I allowed myself to be honest about my feelings, I started thinking about what I could do to feel better. I knew I wasn’t ready to jump back into everything at once. That would have been too overwhelming. So, I started small. Small.
I began with my mornings. Instead of immediately picking up my phone, I made it a point to sit up in bed, stretch, and take a few deep breaths. I would open my window and let the sunlight in, even if it was just for a few minutes. It felt like a fresh start to my day, a tiny reset button. It was such a simple act, but it made a difference.
Writing Again: A Gentle Return to My Passion
One of the biggest things I had stopped doing was writing, and it was something I missed. But instead of pressuring myself to write a blog or something big, I began journaling again. I didn’t have a plan or a structure; I just wrote whatever came to mind. Some days, it was a few sentences about how I felt; other days, it was random thoughts.
Journaling became a safe space where I could express myself without judgment. It wasn’t about creating perfect content; it was about reconnecting with the joy of writing. Over time, that spark started to come back, and I found myself writing more, little by little.
Reaching Out: Rediscovering the Value of Connection
Another thing I had stopped was talking to the people closest to me. It’s easy to withdraw when you’re feeling low, but I realized how much I missed that connection. So, I started reaching out again, slowly. I didn’t dive into deep conversations about how I was feeling at first. I just sent a few simple messages—”How”are you?” or “Miss you.”
The responses I got back reminded me that I wasn’t alone. My friends and family were still there, waiting for me. And as I opened up more, I felt lighter. Talking to them helped me feel more grounded and reminded me that there’s support around me, even when I forget about it.
Creativity: Rediscovering My Joy in Photography
Photography had always been a creative outlet for me, but during that rough period, I lost the desire to pick up my camera. So, I made a conscious decision to change that. I started taking short walks around my neighborhood, with no agenda other than to observe. If something caught my eye, I’d capture it. I didn’t set out with the intention of creating anything groundbreaking; I just wanted to enjoy the process again.
It wasn’t long before I started seeing the beauty in everyday moments — the way the light hit the trees, the patterns in the clouds, the small details I had been too distracted to notice before. These little photo walks reignited my love for photography and brought back that simple joy of creating without pressure.
Movement: A Slow Return to Exercise
I’ve always known that exercise is good for my mental health, but during this time, even the thought of working out felt like too much. So, I started with something simple: stretching. I didn’t push myself to do intense workouts; instead, I focused on gentle movements, like yoga or just walking.
Moving my body, even in the smallest way, helped release some of that built-up tension and anxiety. It wasn’t about fitness goals or pushing myself to extremes; it was about feeling better, little by little. Eventually, I started feeling more energized, and exercise became something I looked forward to again.
Simple Happiness: Finding Joy in the Little Things
As I took these small steps, I began to notice that my mood was shifting. It wasn’t a dramatic change, but I felt more in control, more at peace. And along the way, I started to appreciate the simple things that brought me happiness.
I found joy in making a cup of tea and sitting by the window, watching the world outside. I rediscovered the comfort of reading a good book, losing myself in the story. I spent time cooking meals that made me feel nourished, rather than just eating out of habit. These little acts of self-care became my way of reclaiming happiness.
Looking Forward: Continuing the Journey
This process wasn’t about making huge, drastic changes overnight. It was about acknowledging where I was, accepting my feelings, and taking small steps toward feeling better. And that’s the thing — it’s the small steps that matter. They may seem insignificant, but they add up over time.
I still have moments when those negative thoughts creep back in. I still have days where I feel overwhelmed, but now I know I have tools to help me through it. I’m not trying to rush toward perfection or chase some ideal version of happiness. Instead, I’m focused on finding joy in the present, in the little things, in the small wins.
If you’re going through something similar, remember that it’s okay to feel how you feel. It’s okay to take a break. And when you’re ready, start with small steps. Acknowledge your feelings, reach out to someone, move your body, and find joy in the little things. Happiness isn’t always about the big moments — sometimes, it’s found in the quiet, simple ones.
