Hello! Hallo! Привет!

[jo****]

Glad to be here and excited to interact with everyone!

 

About me: 39 year old dad of 3 amazing kids, explorer, love outdoor activities, high-functioning Autistic (basically just take things too seriously and don't pick up on the emotions of others very well), and VERY grateful to be in a place in my life where I have breathing room to discover more about who I want to be and how I want to live life. I was raised strictly religious and only realized it wasn't what I wanted for my life and was dragging me down about 7 or 8 years ago. Reinventing myself has been TOUGH and I am struggling daily, but I have been able to get to a point where I realize the "downs" are temporary.

 

I love international travel with my family, speak English & Russian and a little bit of German & Spanish, and cannot wait until travel restrictions lift and we can get back on a plane again.

 

Photo is of me and my family in Portugal hiking a trail called the "Paiva Walkways"

 

Edited November 17, 2020 by joesvetz
changed picture

[Li****]

Hello, and welcome to happiness! ✨ We're glad you found us and hope you'll find our community helpful on your journey. Sounds like you're already on a good path in finding yourself, who you want to be, and what makes you happy, and I'm sure others will find your introduction inspiring ?

[Candy]

What a lovely photo! My motto this year has somehow become "Everything is temporary", which I often find myself repeating when I begin to feel down or dissatisfied.

I'm glad you got to that point. It's not always easy :) I, too, dream of a time when  the world is open and we can travel again, but I'm also quite happy that the earth got a much needed break from it all.

I wish you very happy future travels, and all the best on your journey ahead. 

[jo****]

Thanks Candy! Yes, it has definitely not been easy, but I'm glad to know this idea resonates with others as well. It's been interesting because I'm also feeling like the down times are necessary in order to provide a contrast to the up times, so I've tried to accept them as much as possible (also very difficult for me). Like I want to be happy, but I believe that sadness is a necessary element in order to feel happy (otherwise everything would just be flat) - have you ever felt that way?