Happiness truly does come from within. But if our hearts and souls are damaged by poor nurturing, abuse or neglect, then this notion could elude us for years – even a lifetime.

We may not feel worthy of happiness, or we’ve incorrectly sought it from material things or outside influences. We have forgotten to give ourselves permission to be happy. Such a basic human need has essentially been obscured with layers of dust, or seen as a frivolous luxury, which it isn’t – purely because it’s not been witnessed in our formative years.

Our values may be a topsy-turvy jumble, a junk room in our heads, as we still try to get to know even our fundamental personality traits, purely because so many have been suppressed. With such a damaged sense of self-worth, where praise has been scarce or there are still blurred lines which you’re in the midst of trying to understand, happiness may feel like an unachievable oasis.

For you, ‘happy’ might seem synthetic, or an impossible feat; you may have seen it on screen, but trying to apply it in your own wellbeing is as hard as holding water. If this resonates with you, then please don’t become jaded. There is an alternative to happiness in the easier to attain emotion of ‘contentment’.

Contentment, I consider, is a prelude to happiness, and an easy way to picture how it feels is to think about animals snuggling down quietly together. They have no idea about the harsh world that we inhabit, and they are blissfully unaware of conflict. All they are doing is living in the present time, content to be in a comfortable warm place.

So next time you have the chance to chill on the sofa, sit in quiet contemplation and start noticing the value of contentment. Unwittingly you are conditioning your mind, and aligning your thoughts towards a happier you.