As I grew up from being a child to a teenager and now finally an adult my requirements for being happy have been changing continuously. When I was a child the honking of the ice cream man used to make me happy, I used to run towards him for my first ice cream of the day. Days were beautiful and there was nothing to do except play with the sand , explore the local fairs and play on swings. There was never ending energy and sleep was still peaceful.

As I moved into my teenage I faced certain situations in my life and found myself as an introvert with self esteem issues. Yet there was an escape to all that negativity. Cartoons, drawings and my most favorite, books! I was brought up in a strict household so there was not much excitement in my life. In the evening I used to see my classmates going to parties and having sleepovers but I used to sit alone in my room and have coffee and read my favourite book. As I look back now I am not the same person who was afraid of talking to anyone and was embarrassed of herself but still I miss those days. The comfort of home and the childhood of my brother are the most precious things that I miss now.

No matter how much I hated my life back then but now I realise those were the best days of my life and I would not change even a single thing if given a chance. Moving to my early adulthood I was blinded by new formed relationships and friendships and forgot myself. I was deeply drowned in my insecurities and was afraid all the time that people would leave me for some other people. But life is a constantly changing journey and the change came gradually but for sure. I realised that I don't have to compromise always and I have to value myself then only other people will value me. Today I am a confident woman and I am proud to be myself, I have happy and stable relationships and I own a pet and nurturing her and watching her grow is the best thing that makes me happy now a days. I shared my story so that I can explain that even though I thought my life was not good earlier I realised later that this life made me who I am right now and right now I completely love myself. If I would have realised it earlier things would have been easier and I would have felt more gratitude towards life since the start.

Maybe happiness is realising that what you have should be valued as much as what you don't have.