A place to retreat

Life has a way of pulling us in a thousand directions at once. Between responsibilities, relationships, and the constant hum of daily stress, it’s easy to feel drained and disconnected. That’s why having a “happy place”—a retreat you can return to in times of need—is so important. For me, that place has always been deep in the forest.

When I imagine my happy place, I see myself walking down a shaded path where tall trees stretch endlessly toward the sky. The air is cool and smells of pine and earth after rain. Shafts of sunlight filter through the branches, scattering patches of gold across the mossy ground. I can hear the gentle rustle of leaves overhead, the distant call of a bird, and the rhythmic crunch of my footsteps on the trail. In this space, the world feels quieter. My thoughts slow down, my body relaxes, and I am reminded of a simple but powerful truth: I am safe here. I belong here. I can just breathe.

Your happy place doesn’t have to look like mine. It might be a cozy corner of your home with a favorite blanket, the memory of a loved one’s laughter, or the rhythm of ocean waves meeting the shore. It could also be something you create within your own imagination—a calming space you can retreat to whenever you need it. What matters is that it feels like a sanctuary, a place where you can release stress and reconnect with peace.

When life feels overwhelming, returning to a happy place—whether in reality or in your mind—can make all the difference. It’s not about avoiding challenges but about giving yourself a pause, a reminder that you can ground yourself in calm even in the middle of chaos.

If you don’t already have one, I encourage you to explore what your happy place might be. Notice the details: What do you see, smell, and hear there? How does your body feel when you are in that space? The more vividly you can imagine it, the more powerful it becomes as a tool for comfort and resilience.

A place to retreat to doesn’t erase life’s difficulties, but it offers something just as important: a reminder that peace is always within reach. And sometimes, that reminder is enough to carry us through.