Have you found your happy place?   I have had a happy place for a long time.  I love Disney World.  I know, Disney has its faults, and my family rolls its eyes when I talk about it.  It’s expensive, doesn’t reflect reality when looking at history, and all the other negative press that you usually hear.   I get that Disney has its critics, but let me talk about what makes it my happy place.  When I’m there, I enjoy being with other people, a positive vibe from the crowd, and knowing I can just have fun.  Being an adult can be stressful, and my happy place lets me just be anything I want to be.

                Let’s talk about being with other people.  After the last year in quarantine, being with other people is refreshing, although it’s still cause for concern with COVID.  Maybe it’s my career, but after being in mental health and working with people struggling at many levels, being around people who are happy and having fun is refreshing and restores my faith in humanity.  I tell my family that often, when I leave for the parks, that I’m going to restore my faith in humanity.   That’s where I get my positive vibe.

                So let’s talk about the positive vibe.   Have you ever thought about groups that you are around?  If you go to work, what’s the vibe like there?  Is it happy, with an excitement about being there?  When you go to the beach, are people happy and or miserable?  Generally, people on vacation are happy and relaxed, at least most of the time.  I enjoy watching families having fun, being together, and learning about each other.  I love watching people, and at Disney World, I can sit at any park or location, and watch a generally happy population enjoy being together. 

                Knowing that I can just have fun is also something that is easy for me at Disney.  Many times, I’m alone.  My kids don’t want to come any more, and my husband tried to enjoy it but I don’t think he ever really did.  So I get to decide where to go, what and when to eat, and how long I stay with something.  As a mother and a wife, that doesn’t happy very often.  Generally, women play the role of organizer, fixer, finder, and so many other things.  When I go to Disney, I don’t have to answer questions, or provide resources, or fix problems.  For me, it’s like being a child again.  Sometimes, life is just supposed to be fun.

                Disney isn’t for everyone, and I understand why.  Your happy place may not have as many people.  It might not cost any money, and it might include more quiet than noise.   I could go watch people anywhere, but I don’t want to watch conflict or negativity.  I see enough of that in the news.  The most important thing for me is just being there.  I would rather play a game on my phone, in the middle of EPCOT, than sit on my couch at home and watch television.

                As you think about your happy place, find whatever makes your soul shine.  Find whatever you need to renew your faith in humanity.  Relax, have fun, and enjoy the place that makes you happy.  You are welcome to share my happy place, but if it doesn’t work for you, do what you need to do to be happy for life.