A lot of people are saying it’s inappropriate to say “happy Yom Kippur” but YK is meant to be one of the two happiest days of the year (along with Tu b’Av). Teshuva is a happy thing. Hashem loves you. Yom Kippur is one of the greatest manifestations of His love.

Teshuva means return and is often mistranslated to “repentance,” which sounds super depressing. It’s just a process of returning to Hashem. Cleansing our souls and righting the wrongs of the past should be done with great joy and love.

Teshuva done from fear/awe makes intentional sins like unintentional sins, but teshuva from love makes intentional sins like merits. If you come to Yom Kippur with sadness and fear, you aren’t making the most of the day.