It seemed to me that happiness was when there was someone nearby, and this someone complemented you.

But one day I suddenly realized that happiness is not necessarily in a couple. It can be inside me, in my thoughts, in my decisions and in how I treat myself. It does not depend on others. I just allowed myself to be happy. Without conditions and excuses.

This does not mean that everything is perfect now. No. There are days when it is sad, when you want to close yourself off and not see anyone. But now I can look at these moments differently - as a part of life, and not as something that defines or destroys me.

Before, I often thought that happiness is a goal to which you need to go, but now it is a process. A process that begins with accepting myself as I am. And it's so liberating!

I like to wake up in the morning and think: today I choose to be happy. Even if the world around me is not perfect, even if I don't have the person I dreamed of seeing next to me.

And you know, this feeling of responsibility for my happiness - it unexpectedly gives me strength. I don't have to wait for someone to bring me happiness or make me happy. This is my choice and my path.

It's not always easy, sometimes I catch myself wanting to complain or feel sorry for myself. But then I remember that I've already decided to be happy, and I return to this feeling.

I wonder why it's so hard for us to just allow ourselves to be happy? Maybe because we're used to looking for happiness outside ourselves, in people, events, achievements? But it's always been there - inside us.

Now I try to notice small joys - a cup of hot coffee, pleasant sunlight, a favorite song that accidentally plays in my headphones. They make me happy here and now.

I don't want to wait for something to change in my life or for someone to appear to finally feel happy. Happiness is something I can create myself, every day.

It may not always be perfect, it may sometimes be sad, but I allowed myself to be happy - and this is already a big step.

And do you think it is possible to learn to be happy alone?

Masha