If You Want to be Happy for the Rest of Your Life

Yesterday marked a weird anniversary for me. It has been exactly one year since I broke up with He-who-must-not-be-named, as my mom calls him :) Maybe a better way to mark this anniversary is to say: I've been single for ONE YEAR! HOLLER! Either way, this small anniversary had me thinking last night. (I did a great job during the day of staying busy enough to forget it, but the solitude and quiet that night brings always creates time for reflecting...whether I like it or not.) Anyway, I have been thinking a lot lately about what makes me happy because being by myself has allowed me the time to devote to introspection and rediscovery. Side note: These are lovely things to do even if you are devoted to someone. You can't be happy in a relationship until you know how to make yourself happy.

And what makes Stephanie happy, you ask? I'm glad you asked!

I have realized that I can live anywhere and do anything as long as I have one thing in my life (this doesn't include people...without the love of my family and friends this is void):
1. Being outside.

I was telling my friend Amy about my list yesterday, and at that time it had three items: Being in nature, wine tasting, and picnicking. But this morning I realized that all of those things revolve around being outside. I find that as long as I have sunlight and nature in my life, I'm content. I could be biking around a lake, hiking up a mountain, looking for flowers in the desert, or picnicking in a park. There's just something about being in nature that recharges my battery. And, honestly, I shouldn't be very surprised about that, since during college it became very apparent that the lack of sunlight made me SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). One would expect, then, that the opposite would make me HAPPY! (There's no acronym there, I'm just really excited!)

I think that explains why the changing of the seasons is so thrilling to me. Why I find the fall leaves to be so beautiful. Why most of my school-year resolutions involved being outside. And, why, even though I love the variety of activities I have access to due to living in a city, one of my favorite parts about city living is finding the trails and parks that are hidden within.

So, in conclusion, the way to a man's heart may be his stomach, but the way to mine is the wilderness.

Love,
Stephanie Marie

PS. Anyone want to join me for a jaunt around the Jones Falls Trail? I just found this today and can't wait to explore! Or how about this year-round farmers' market?

PPS. The title of this post is from a song, which is hilarious but does not ring true to me ;)

Photo courtesy of pinterest.