"You've been smiling the entire morning," I heard today from my partner. As I thought about it later, I realised I have been dancing much more the past week, something that I have not done for so long, and yet it was always such an essential part of my very early life.
For the past many years, I have been living in the city. The reasons were many; it was a hub for my research work, positive for my career and networking in my field. It got me ahead and made me focus on one thing only: work. Anytime off my work was considered unproductive; I became unsocial and isolated like never before. I got rid of all social networks and focused on science. And then I got exhausted.
One week ago, I moved out of the city towards the countryside. I am still close to all those places that I need for my work; however, now I am surrounded by nature. And here I am smiling and dancing, and surprisingly my work - unforced - is flowing more smoothly. I feel happy like I haven't been in years. I feel alive, and I feel like I am a part of what surrounds me once again.
So if you are going through a rough patch, and you feel like you have hit rock bottom, make sure that you find yourself a happy place and give yourself time to recover. Do not ask for a permission, do not ask for an advice, you yourself know the best what you need. Go and do what makes you happy. Find that place of peace. We all have a right to do what is best for us. Because only when we are content, we can contribute something genuinely positive.
Happy to read that you feel happy in your new place!