General

As a simple person, there are simple things that make me happy. To break them down, I will separate them into quick happiness, daily happiness, and long-term happiness.

I love listening to electronic music while I exercise, clean the house, or walk long distances, preferably during a sunset. I enjoy drinking my morning coffee in a quiet environment, or sitting by the window while receiving sunlight. These are what I consider ‘quick happiness’.

My daily dose of happiness is hearing my mother’s and my siblings’ voices. Nothing makes me happier than spending time with my family and of course, now with my daughter. I grew up in a single-parent family, made up of my mother, my sister, and my brother. That made us very close, and we created many family memories by sharing typical traditional celebrations and happy moments together.

Since I left my country 10 years ago, I have tried to stay in contact with my family through calls or texts because I think it is important to follow up on our achievements, worries, health issues, or simply to share our daily activities. On a few occasions, we have had the chance to meet in different countries to enjoy short vacations and create more memories together. Planning those trips is the most exciting part for me: buying gifts, souvenirs, and exchanging collectible magnets to put on our refrigerators.

For long-term happiness, I like to make charitable gestures without expecting anything in return and that creates an impact on my surroundings. These include small donations, clothing, or baby toys for people in my country. I usually take time to plan these actions carefully, and they bring great satisfaction to my soul.