What would make us humans truly happy?
What do we need to be happy? I am sure many would say money, family or a good health. However, If I had to stick to 3 choices, my list would look slightly different.
A positive mindset
This world has plenty of happy beings but let's be realistic: too many people have "everything their heart desires" and they still aren't happy. It doesn't matter how rich, healthy or popular they are if they don't have the ability to be satisfied and accept what is, instead on focussing on what is not. I believe it is extremely important to be satisfied with what you have in life. I would prefer a positive mindset definitely over being wealthy or even healthy, because a positive mindset gets you through everything and makes you appreciate what you actually do have.
A Purpose and Passion
A purpose can be there in many shapes and forms. For many people, it is family but it could be a job as well. I believe everyone needs a sense of purpose and to be honest, I sometimes hope to "feel" more often a sense of purpose some day in my life. It is the reason to do it al and get out of bed in the morning. A reason to live for. I have a job that gives me some sense of purpose and I really believe in the work we do, I am not just making money for a company but truly helping people out who need it the most. Still, I truly hope to find a greater sense of purpose some day after I study marine biology. I fucking care about the Ocean and it is just a beautiful majestic world there underwater. Something I would feel incredibly passionate about. I would love to wake up in the morning some day knowing that I will help protect the underwater ecosystem.
Freedom
My passion is exploring the world, especially travelling to the unknown places and instead of a perfectly planned itinerary, I would like to go with the flow, just figure out later where I sleep or just pitch a tent. I am currently held back so much by a work schedule. Knowing that on days off, I can't really go anywhere and do whatever I want because I have to be ready for work. I can't wait to quit my job and travel, don't have to think about tomorrow or about internet connection.
I have made 2 long backpacking trips of total 2 years. I tasted the ultimate sense of freedom for two years. It is like a drug and I always feel the urge to quit my job and take back my freedom.
Just do that week long kayak trip while pitching a tent every night in Norway and live with the sun and the moon. Or buying that motorbike in the Philippines and drive it all the way down to Indonesia while camping on the most beautiful beaches and probably take few to little showers and staying in the crappiest hostels with wonderful travelers to share stories with. I am truly longing for that sense of freedom. However, I would rather have the ability to learn to be perfectly happy where I am. I believe that would be true happiness. But it would still be great to have the freedom to choose.
Vanlife is for me an incredible chapter of a happy life, but it is just an -incredible- chapter
I am wondering if you guys are in line with my thoughts or maybe you totally disagree (I might not even think the same about it next week, it is crazy how often I change my mind). This are actually subjects I have been thinking about a lot lately. I feel like the world lays on my feet, I am very thankful for the job I have now which allows me to still travel (but without the full freedom) but I also know I might not want this forever and I feel like I should start my study before I turn 30 (5 more years to go). However, there are so many choices in life and only one is the perfect one. I know it always turns out just fine but I honestly have been spinning my head around it and I know that my friends in Holland are just living their life without thinking so much about all the great things they could use their time on. Like, are they perfectly happy where they are? That mindset is a true goal. Honestly, the secrets for a Happy Life are still secrets for me, but I personally believe I am doing well and I am incredibly happy where I am now!
Let me know what you think!
Regards,
The girl in her twenties who is just trying to figure it out.
