Is happiness just a dream or something that only exists in stories?

I remember when my teacher asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. My classmates spoke of singers, actors, doctors, and even princesses. And me? I said, "I want to be happy."

That was my dream...because somehow, my young mind thought the most crucial thing was how I felt, not what I became.

Of course, I was teased. After all, who dreams of being happy when you could aim to be president or a princess?

So, do I still yearn for happiness? Life has proven more complex than my eight-year-old self imagined...

Do I believe in a "happily ever after"? I'm not so sure....

But what does happiness really mean? What does it mean to you?

Is it about a fairy tale ending, or is true happiness even achievable?

I always thought happiness meant waking up each day thankful to be alive, feeling proud of my efforts, and seeing peace around me. Maybe it was knowing that those I care about were also happy.

Happiness, to me, seemed like a blend of joy and achievement. It's the thrill of landing a job, the euphoria when love is reciprocated, or the fulfillment of creating something beautiful. Yet, these moments of happiness are not what I have imagine. The job loses its shine, love can be painful, and the highs don't really last...

Someone once said that bad times make us appreciate the good ones more. But do we really?

It often feels like we're chasing an unreachable purpose, and when reality falls short, we're left disappointed. Maybe we set the bar too high, believing happiness depends on things we don't fully control. After all, nothing lasts forever, and perfection is a myth...

Could it be that we aren't happy because we don't understand what happiness truly is?

What if we're chasing the wrong things, never reaching a genuine sense of joy?

To me, happiness would mean being okay with who I am. If I can't accept my own worth, how can I embrace love or feel proud of my achievements?

Will I ever believe I'm enough? If I can't, will I ever know what happiness feels like?

Right now, I struggle with feeling worthy. The potential for true happiness is right in front of me, but I'm blind to it. I can't seem to accept it.

Why?

I can't fully explain it yet, but I hope to figure it out soon. What I have to lose is far too important...