If you talk to anyone that has been through trauma, pain, and doubts of their self-worth but has found happiness and acceptance in life, they're all going to agree on the same thing: this path is not easy. It's going to take time to get here. It's different for everyone...it might take more than others; it might take less than others. It might be something you struggle to achieve every single day of your life. I may not struggle every day, but there are times when my happiness is tested. I'm constantly learning how to overcome the pain, and this is a lesson we all must face. It may not look like what you expected it to look like, but as long as you're happy, then that's all you need. Happiness isn't about achieving perfection. Sometimes striving towards perfection can lead you down a dark path. I know there were times in my life when I wanted to be perfect. Happiness and perfection aren't the same, and they will never be the same.