“We forge the chains we wear in life.” – Charles Dickens

I recently finished a 100 happy days challenge, which consisted of 100 pictures I posted daily to show something that made me happy. At the end of the challenge you can upload your pictures and your story from the previous days, then someone from anywhere in the world can choose to sponsor you and send your printed pictures to you for free. I began on March 10^th when I was feeling a bit down on myself and I needed some kind of motivation to find that extra happiness day to day and looking back on it now it worked 100 days in a row. While 100 days is a bit over 3 months, it’s still a quarter of your year and an entire season, which was enough to make an incredible impact. My days consisted of road trips to places I’d never seen, spots only a food enthusiast like me could dream of, and memories I’m glad I got to photograph and remember forever. I stopped being bitter and got better, I quit forcing negative vibes out into this world and started welcoming good ones with open arms.

One of my teachers in high school taught me that it only takes 2 weeks to break a bad habit, sometimes it’s biting your nails and sometimes it ends up being a person you cared for. When I look back at day 1 and compare it to day 100 or even day 50 I’d already began making progress. I was happier and more content and I woke up every day with the consistent intent to find something to be happy about. After sharing my story I received an email from a man in Sweden congratulating me on my journey and informing me that he’d like to sponsor me! His closing words were “stay strong, stay happy,” which I have full intent of doing.

Over my course of 100 days I went on 21 road trips, met my favorite band, and met a guy who would hand pick every star and lay it at my feet if he could. Being happy can’t happen in a day, it’s a process, and while my challenge has ended my perspective has been forever changed. Every day I’m given I’ll put into this world the same kindness I want to see in this world. Stay strong, stay happy.