Since the young age of 11, I’ve been going to war with anxiety. I would overthink each breath, inhaling the unsettled. From a daily to an occasional battle, my own happiness is what I developed to fight for and prioritize over the worries that floated throughout my head. The adversity I faced taught me that prioritizing happiness isn’t selfish but a necessary pursuit for our own well-being.

Whether nourishing my happiness through something extensive like purchasing unnecessary things and taking trips out of town or something simple as walking my dog around the block or journaling to unravel my thoughts, the little things make cherishing memories. These overlooked simple joys are a reminder that happiness is in life’s seemingly and easily missed moments. The joy I find in these experiences completes me, giving me a new calming view where everything is worth it.

However, obsessing over the sensation of happiness can bring negative consequences, eradicating healthy behaviors and increasing the risk of addictions to one’s temporary joy. We can end up with permanent damage when we hunt and select excruciating solutions over the ones that truly benefit our well-being. A stubborn search for happiness can lead to the decay of responsibilities and life-term goals when their only source of satisfaction comes from their wicked habits.

Nevertheless, it’s important to find the perfect balance in how and when we seek our happiness, guaranteeing that the pursuit of happiness doesn’t interrupt the happiness of others or restrain our own growth and responsibilities. Prompting the prioritization of happiness boosts well-being, solidity, and positive and supportive communities. I stay committed to being happy and seeing its importance because of how much I struggled to maintain it in my younger years. To produce and represent my happiness is contagious. I can spread some positivity in someone’s life who may be experiencing the same suffering as me.