Happiness is…

Everything changes during this pandemic. We’re forced not to have our usual activities outside, not to hang out with our dearest friends, not to hug our parents. We’re getting stressed. Everything seems so biased, confusing and frightening. We’re questioning everything. Including, when will we be happy again? Or even worse, will we have that same old happiness again?

There is an old saying from Latin proverbs, “He is not happy who does not realize his happiness.” One thing I learn from this pandemic is that the happiness is already within us. We just need some times to find and realize it.

I used to think traveling makes me happy. It indeed makes me content. Meeting new people, exploring new places, finding hidden gems, learning about history and culture, tasting local cuisines. I feel like I’m living the life to the fullest every time I go traveling. But, am I happy enough after traveling ?

I always love reading books. It’s my short get away, especially after a long tired day full of meetings and deadlines. A short escape. I always read a book before I go to sleep, after having a nice hot water shower and light dinner. For awhile, I can merge into a whole new world, by only wearing my pajamas. I’m relaxed. But, am I happy enough once I close the book every night?

I love sharing stories. That’s what this blog and my other social media all about. My chat with friends mostly about me sharing my experiences, books I read, or places I visited. I love sharing my learnings, in the hope that it’ll inspire my friends as well. It feels like…..it completes me. But then what? Is it enough to make me happy?

To answer all of those questions above, it’s not to answer it at all. If you feel happy already, why do you have to question it? It’s there. Within yourself. You’ve found it. You just need to realize more of it.

Day in the life (of a single and happy person).

Imagine you woke up in the morning feeling fresh as the result of a good enough sleep. Or a bit dizzy, because you were awake until late finishing those exciting and engaging novel or TV series.

You checked on your phone, open your social media, laughed on some silly animal video, replying your friends comment of your previous IG/FB stories or feeds. Then, you drag yourself to bathroom, preparing yourself for works.

Imagine it’s the normal situation. Old one. When we all still went to office, meeting our colleagues in person. You arrived at your office, feeling regret for not having breakfast at home. But you had that colleague who’s always up to any quick breakfast suggestions. You had your breakfast together, gossiping about yesterday’s meeting and preparing your mood for a long day of working.

Then, it’s your usual weekdays office hour situation. Tensed meetings, yet still manage to joke around within (or got additional gossip materials ?). Lunch break with your colleagues (still talking about the gossip you got from the meeting). Or sometimes a nice quick reunions with your old colleagues or school friends over the lunch break. Your mood boosted up as there are so many funny things to laugh about, or burden to be shared. You’re ready for the next working hours.

You finished early that day. Try to race with the traffic hours as you had workout / gym class. Or another fun dinner with friends. Or those happy hour! Or maybe you just too tired and decided to call it a day. You went home, listening to your fav radio or fav soothing playlist. Or made a mental note what kind of dinner you’re gonna have at home (how about that burger joint from Bali that just recently open nearby? hmm…). You had your dinner while continuing that TV series. Probably had a nice conversation with your parents or room mates. You checked on your phones and found a new cafes/gallery/places in town that you haven’t visited. You put it on your weekend plan, telling yourself “this is a great place for a me-time!…..wait, I think the one of the boys/girls ever told me about this place. I’ll invite them as well”. You slept early that day, feeling tired yet exciting for the next weekend that you’re gonna spend with best friends or for a me-time.

Sounds fun right? Did you miss anything?

You woke up checking on social media on your phone, not for waking someone up. You had your lunch/dinner without checking on someone “Have you eaten?”. You were so focus with your work without thinking you need to pick up someone after office. You were so free that you could have dinner with friends, workouts or any after office activities. Or free trying out some new activities on the weekends. You slept anytime you want without have to inform someone. You felt more connected with your family and close friends. You somehow felt content and full. You’re happy and grateful.

What things make me happy?

I never thought that this question will be hard to answer.

"Isn't it easy and simple? You love traveling! You love reading books!"

After a long contemplation (read : 1D1N thinking, couple of time spending in the toilet, keep asking Abang or staring blankly into my laptop screen), I realized that traveling and books are not the one that makes me happy. They’re just the bridge for me to gain the happiness.

I feel happy, when I visited new places, I could speak with local people using their local language.

I feel happy, when I traveled to new country, not only I tried on their local cuisines, but also know about story behind why they prepare such cuisines that way.

I feel happy, when I came to a museum, I learned a history about places or public figures. It usually made me love them more and more.

I fell happy, when I read a book or had some chats with local people, I learned something new that you would not found simply by googling it.

Seeing local people smile, and the feeling of being welcomed that came afterward, that what makes me happy. Finding a small trivia excites me like finding a hidden gem. Not only experiencing new things, but also experiencing it thoroughly and wholeheartedly.

I feel happy when I feel welcomed/belonged/engaged/close to 
some books I read, places I visited, and some people I knew. 

Isn't it easy and simple?