Experiencing joy, being happy, just being completely content with who I am and where I am going is so important to me now. I used to deprive myself of joy. I guess I didn’t feel worthy, I guilted myself into feeling like I needed to be doing something else to move myself forward and be more successful.
I didn’t know how to be present, enjoy moments and express gratitude for the life I have been blessed with. For me personally, I think it also has taken coming through tough times to be able to experience joy with that much more gratitude and appreciation for life.
Now, I build my life around the things that make me happy. I travel back to places where I have friends and community, even if that means I’m not traveling to somewhere new all the time. I’ve learned to go where I am comfortable, where I am loved, where I am happy!
Today I am working in the morning, taking a salsa class in the afternoon, doing my nails and going to a language exchange and then hanging out with friends because this is how I find my balance and JOY. This is how I balance work, health, self-care and socializing.
So today, I encourage you to do something you enjoy, give yourself permission to relax and just feel happy! (Also don’t forget to be grateful for all the wonderful things and people you DO have!)
(For those who don’t know… I am doing “30 days to 30” and sharing life lessons and stories in order to celebrate my birthday—hoping to break stigmas and stereotypes about what 30 means and looks like)
