On being happy

Recently I have been having people tell me, "you've lost a lot of weight, haven't you?" I never know how to answer that question. I mean, I guess I have. Physically I suppose I'm wearing a smaller size, but it's nothing significant, one or two size difference. Hey, I'm not complaining about that at all. But, the reason I never know how to reply to such a comment besides the shrug of the shoulders is because to me, that's completely irrelevant to the transformation of who I am. The reason I look different to people, primarily people who come to my job is because when I first started working there, well up until last year, I don't think I was who I wanted to be. Granted I know it's an age thing and goes beyond the idea of self esteem and what not. But, I am talking about just being genuinely happy in life. I feel as though my life is becoming mine and is mine. Before I felt a sense of entrapment, I tried moving and hanging out with people who didn't necessarily have interests that coincided with mine. It was a great escape of who I was, ultimately. However, in 2013, my life seemed to detach from everything and reform into this beautiful new idea of life. I was away from those that worked as my safety net and I was left to just be. Beyond these factors that greatly affect your happiness, I've found a few new things I have physically started doing to prolong my happiness.

1. Reading. Okay, yes, hello. I know. Reading. So simple. I do it all the time for school, my major is based off of god damn reading. But I am not talking about that, I am talking about going to a book store and going to the fiction or poetry sections and finding a book that you just really want to live in. I hadn't had much time in my college years for this because I was so busy reading for, you know, my degree. However, this year that changed. I think I've fallen back in love with reading. When I was a kid usually had my face in a book, standard shy kid problem. But I have reverted back to my ways of my roots and I am so glad I have. I am currently loving Tom Robbins, a pacific North West writer that somehow incorporates every aspect of interesting into a fictional story that makes you philosophically question life problems by the end of it. Incredible.

2. Multi-vitamins! First of all, what the fuck. I never thought I'd be one of those people, I always have said, I'll get my vitamins through my food. Yep. As a vegetarian for nearly five years and someone who is usually eating breakfast in the car on the way to school or work, I've realized, that's pretty damn hard. Therefore, this year I've succumbed to giving the multi-v's a try. So far, I am energized, less moody, and overall feeling strong. Therefore, I have to attribute some happiness to this little guy.

3. Writing. Exactly why I have started up a blog again. When I was in high school, I wanted to be a writer, it was always something I loved doing. I don't know if I'm exceptionally great at it or anything, but, it's something I love so what more could you really ask for? Even though this isn't necessarily the type of writing I imagined myself doing, I am still actively producing words from my mind. At this moment, that is good enough. I have also begun keeping a tiny notebook in my bag at all times to physically write when my mind becomes too muddled with life. This really is something that is starting to soothe my soul. It makes me feel like who I am. After I write anything I already feel emotionally calmer than before. It's a beautiful way to pass time.