On March 19, 2024, my life changed in ways I never expected. That was the day I made the difficult decision to throw away all my cats. I believed that by doing this, I would finally make someone else happy. But instead of feeling relief, I was left with emptiness and regret.
For years, I found myself asking the same question every day: “What can I do to make you happy?” In my pursuit of pleasing others, I thought sacrificing what mattered to me—like my cats—would make everything better. But no matter how much I gave up, it was never enough. That one act, intended to bring happiness, ended up being a breaking point for me.
After letting go of my cats, the silence in my home was overwhelming. They had been my companions through everything, offering comfort in moments when I needed it the most. Now, without them, I felt a deep void that nothing else could fill. The happiness of others that I was trying so hard to chase was short-lived, and I was left feeling more lost than ever.
As time went on, I came to a difficult but important realization: you can’t make everyone happy, especially at the expense of your own joy. Trying to please someone else shouldn’t mean losing parts of yourself. The more I tried to create happiness for others, the more I sacrificed my own peace and fulfillment.
Today, I’m learning to stop asking, “What can I do to make you happy?” and instead ask, “What can I do to make myself happy?” It’s been a hard journey, but one that’s teaching me the value of putting my own well-being first. Sometimes, self-love means making tough decisions, but it’s worth it for your own peace of mind.