Some people have one significant happy place that is their thinking spot. It’s their time to reflect on the past and envision the future. Being in that specific spot, whether in solitude or with a companion, gives you a sense of belonging.
My happy place is a symbol of serenity.
I don’t have one concrete happy place because my happy place is driving down California’s Pacific Coast Highway a.k.a. PCH. There is something about driving in my car along the coast, watching the ocean shimmer endless beauty that makes me want to dive in head first. The change of scenery as I drive reminds me that my journey will have unexpected curves and turns and that my path will merge into another direction. And I remind myself that living life on the edge is exactly how I want to live.
The PCH was my getaway in high school. At night, I would drive along the road with my windows down and listen to the waves crash against the cliffs. I would sing my heart out to soulful ballads, then pick a spot to pull over and gaze at the moon and the stars reflecting against the ocean. When I visit my hometown, I always try to make time for my happy place; whether it is 2 pm or 2 am, driving down the coast never seems to let me down. I always write and write for hours, jotting down my hopes and dreams, making them feel more tangible. I express how I want to break free and discover life’s mysteries.
It's also nice to share my happy place with my friends. We enjoy driving down the coast and hiking up what is known as the “sandhill.” It’s a place where we pick up where we left off, reminiscing on old adventures and sharing new ones. The PCH will always be a place I enjoy coming back to, giving me that familiar, tranquil feeling.
It has been there for me during my triumphs and defeats, but no matter how I feel during the ride, I always leave feeling a sense of victory.
What is your happy place? If you don't have one, don't waste your days in a daze. Go out. Explore. Play. Life's treasure is out there, and it's up to you to find the X that marks the spot.