What’s Your Happy Place?

How many times in your life has someone asked you the question:

“What’s your happy place?”

I’ve been asked this question numerous times throughout my life. Whether it was an essay prompt in grade school or a therapist’s attempt to calm me down during my frequent panic attacks, I’ve often had to ponder my “happy place.” However, I never really had a clear answer, which made me feel like something was wrong with me.

The best answer I could come up with over the years was my family’s favorite vacation spot growing up—a beautiful beach filled with lush palm trees. Coconuts would fall from the trees, and I would poke straws in them to drink the milk. I’d sip on fresh strawberry smoothies by the pool while trying to tan my very fair skin (though it usually just resulted in a sunburn!). I enjoyed listening to the island music filled with congas and bongos as I pulled my kayak out into the ocean, gazing at the fishies below while paddling. This was the happiest place I could think of, and I tried hard to visualize it during my meditations when I had anxiety attacks.

My Happy Place Was Always Within Me

However, something profound I realized during my healing journey is that my happy place has never been a physical location or destination. My happy place is a feeling within me—a sense of genuine joy, contentment, health, and freedom. The most freeing feeling is being at home in my own body when I take care of it.

Yoga is just one of the many ways I practice taking care of my body. Regardless of my physical location, my body is the home I have always lived in and will continue to live in. I vow to take good care of it for the rest of my life and never again neglect my home. ♡

Think about it: What is your happy place? Is it a physical location? Is it a feeling? Is it an activity? Figure out what your “happy place” means to you!