International Day of Happiness :)

 

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”
— Alice Walker, writer, activist, and Pulitzer Prize–winning author

Alice Walker, best known for her novel The Color Purple, has long written about resilience, dignity, and the inner strength of women whose voices are often overlooked. Her words remind us that happiness is not only a feeling — it is also connected to power, self-worth, and the belief that we deserve more than just survival.

Happiness is often talked about as something light and effortless. But for many women — especially those who have lived through abuse, control, displacement, or discrimination — happiness is not simple. It can feel distant, unfamiliar, or even undeserved.

The International Day of Happiness (20 March) was established by the United Nations to recognise that wellbeing matters just as much as economic growth or achievement. It encourages countries and communities to think about what truly allows people to live with dignity, safety, and hope.

Yet happiness, in real life, often looks much smaller and quieter than we imagine.

The first laugh after a long time

For some women, happiness is the first time they laugh without feeling watched or judged. It is the moment their shoulders drop without them realising. It is choosing what to eat, where to go, or who to talk to — without fear of someone else’s reaction.

These moments can pass in seconds. But they can also mark the beginning of something bigger: the return of self.

Women who have lived with coercion or violence often spend years in survival mode. The body stays alert. The mind scans for danger. Joy becomes unfamiliar, sometimes even uncomfortable.

So when a woman says, “I felt calm today,” it can be a huge step.

Happiness can feel unfamiliar — and that’s okay

Not everyone feels ready for happiness straight away. After trauma, feeling good can feel strange. Some women describe guilt when they begin to enjoy life again. Others say they are always waiting for something to go wrong.

This is not a weakness. It is how the nervous system protects itself after long periods of stress.

Healing is not about forcing happiness. It is about creating safety, stability, and choice — the conditions where happiness can slowly reappear on its own.

 

Small joys are not small

We often overlook everyday pleasures because they seem ordinary. But for someone rebuilding life after harm, these moments can feel extraordinary:

Drinking tea in peace
Walking outside without being followed
Sleeping through the night
Making plans for the future
Saying “no” and being heard

These are not luxuries. They are signs of autonomy returning.

Happiness, in this sense, is not constant excitement. It is the steady feeling of being able to live your life as yourself.

 

Community makes happiness possible

Happiness rarely grows in isolation. It grows where people feel seen, heard, and respected.

Safe spaces, supportive services, friendships, and community networks all play a role in helping women move from survival to stability — and from stability to moments of joy.

At Anah Project, we see how powerful it can be when women sit together, share stories, learn new skills, or simply exist in a space where they do not have to explain themselves. Laughter often returns in these rooms, gently and unexpectedly.

Sometimes happiness starts with belonging.

Rethinking what this day really means

The International Day of Happiness is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about recognising that wellbeing is part of justice. That safety, dignity, and emotional peace are not extras — they are rights.

For women rebuilding their lives, happiness might not mean a perfect life. It might mean a life that feels safer than before. Quieter. More their own.

That is worth recognising.

 

Today, notice one small thing

Happiness does not have to be chased. Sometimes it is already there in small, easy-to-miss moments.

A warm drink.
A kind message.
A deep breath.
A moment of quiet.

These moments will not erase the past. But they can be gentle reminders that the future can hold more than just survival.

And sometimes, that is where happiness begins.

A wish for today

On this International Day of Happiness, we don’t wish for perfect lives or constant smiles. We wish for something gentler, and more real.

We wish for moments of calm after chaos.
For laughter that comes without fear.
For spaces where women feel safe enough to be themselves.
For support that feels respectful, understanding, and kind.

We wish for strength where there is still heaviness, and light where things have felt dark for a long time.

Happiness does not have to be loud to matter. Sometimes it is a quiet sense of relief, a small step forward, or the simple knowledge that you are no longer alone.

Today, and every day, you deserve not just to survive — but to experience moments of peace, dignity, and hope.

Even the smallest moment of happiness is a reminder: healing is possible, and your future can hold more than your past.