The Science of Lasting Happiness

Previously

…Alex sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, the weight of their earlier anxieties seeming to lift. The idea of happiness as a resilient tree, rather than a fragile ornament, felt profoundly liberating. They imagined their own roots growing deeper, their branches becoming more flexible, ready to sway with the inevitable winds. For the first time in a long time, the prospect of life’s challenges didn't feel quite so daunting. They looked at Evelyn, a genuine smile finally gracing their lips. “I think,” Alex said, their voice clear and steady, “I’m ready to start planting some deeper roots.”