There are moments in life when we feel tired, empty, and disconnected from ourselves. Feelings of dissatisfaction and a lack of meaning seem to permeate every fiber of our being. So, we find ourselves frantically searching for something to fill that void, an antidote to that sense of alienation. For me, many years ago, the answer seemed to be shopping, nights out at clubs, and other activities that promised temporary relief.
However, no matter how much I engaged in these activities, happiness continued to elude me, and the feeling of emptiness persisted. One day, overwhelmed and confused, I decided to do the only thing left to do: I stopped. I turned off my phone, took time off from work, and told my friends that I needed to be alone. And today, over ten years later, I can say that it was the wisest decision of my life because that was a crucial turning point: I finally managed to listen to myself! In that silence and solitude, I began to set aside external distractions and pay attention to what was happening within me.
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Soon, I realized that my true problem was that I wasn’t aligned with the desires of my soul. I had neglected that inner voice that had been suppressed for so long by the noise of the external world. So, I started making space in my daily life to listen to those desires that had been suffocated for years, allowing myself the time and attention needed to reflect on my passions, values, and deepest aspirations.
Every day, I asked myself if my actions were truly leading me in the right direction, towards the life I truly wanted to live. This process of listening to myself required commitment and patience – and it will never end. I had to confront my limitations, overcoming old patterns and habits that were no longer in harmony with my authenticity. But as I gave myself permission to be myself, to listen to and follow the desires of my soul, I began to discover a deep connection with my true essence.
Today, I cannot say that I have “solved all my problems” but I can say that I am happy. Not because I have found the definitive answer to the question “who am I?”, but because I have learned to live in harmony with my nature, discovering a way of being based on authenticity and inner truth. Because true happiness does not reside in material things or temporary distractions, but it is a journey inwards, a path of self-discovery and deep listening. And when we allow ourselves the time and space to listen to the desires of our soul, we can find the key to a meaningful and fulfilling life, and that sense of emptiness disappears. So, if you resemble the me of ten years ago right now, turn off the noise of the external world and give voice to your most authentic needs. This first step will allow you to find a new balance, a new direction, and ultimately, a new idea of happiness.
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