Has anyone ever asked you to share your happiest childhood memories? If so, I’d guess it happened in a private setting where the person felt comfortable showing genuine interest. But in my opinion, this would also be a great question for a job interview—provided the interviewer is capable of understanding your answer beyond the surface level. Which, let’s be honest, isn’t something you’d necessarily expect in most interviews.

Since we’re not having this conversation face-to-face, asking about your early years wouldn’t really make sense. So, I’ll do the next best thing—I’ll give you my own uncensored answer. While writing this, my brain has already pulled up three happy memories from my childhood and youth. So, those are the ones I’ll share.

First, I remembered how, on the last day of third grade, I walked out of the school building and, all of a sudden, felt happy. But in that moment, I also realized it had been a long time since I had truly felt excited about anything. So, I focused on that happiness—and somehow, I managed to make it even stronger.

Then, I thought of the day my sister moved out of my parents’ home. The rush of relief I felt was almost overwhelming. Without a doubt, it was one of the happiest days of my life.

Finally, I remembered all the times I spent alone in nature, wandering through the woods and a small nature reserve not far from the dull suburban neighborhood where I lived back then.

Now, if you were to ask me what I take away from these particular memories, here’s my answer:

It doesn’t have to take much to be happy

Looking back, it’s obvious that school didn’t bring me joy. Yet all it took was a few steps away from that building to reconnect with happiness—and even amplify it. When my sister moved out, I didn’t dwell on years of tension. Instead, I felt an overwhelming sense of bliss. And when I spent time in nature as a kid, I didn’t have to travel far to experience a profound sense of freedom.

It’s funny—much later in life, I learned highly effective techniques for emotional releasing. I’ve been using some of them in coaching sessions and seminars ever since. But back then? I didn’t know any techniques.

And yet, I did it anyway.

So, at least in this regard, I have to wonder… was I actually that much smarter in my early years?