Being happy was effortless when we were kids, however, now all of us have to put effort and literally work hard to be or feel happy. There are now happiness coaches who teach us how to be happy, it is no more a natural and organic thing. So many of us visit psychotherapists or counselors. We do yoga, we do pranayam, we do kickboxing and so many other things just to feel happy. It makes me wonder what changed in this world that all of us are becoming so sad.
Whenever I call a friend or cousin the first thing I hear is ‘oh am so stressed’ or else some unhappy story. Is ‘being unhappy’ gradually becoming the new ‘trend’? People are desperately searching for happiness. Every single one of us. People are no longer happy with their jobs, their homes, their partners, their parents, their kids, their neighbors, the news, the world, Donald Trump, Narendra Modi, we are just unhappy with everything. There are dedicated websites and blogs trying to teach us how to be happy.
When I was a child everything made me happy, a butterfly, a rainbow, a letter from my NRI masi, a phone call from my best friend, a visit to my cousin’s house, a glimpse of my crush riding his bicycle, Durga Puja, Holi, Diwali and ‘happy new year’, everything made me so happy but today none of the above incite any joy in me. I am sure ‘unhappiness’ is becoming contagious, unhappiness has turned into a global epidemic. The only ones benefitting from this are the manufacturers of anti-depressants and drug peddlers.
Why do the same things that made me happy once doesn’t excite me anymore? When was the last time when I genuinely felt happy? When was the last time that I laughed so hard that my stomach ached? when was the last time a butterfly made me feel blessed? Well, the truth is I haven’t seen a butterfly in the longest time.
I am becoming unhappy because I am now living in a concrete jungle far away from nature. Growing up in Sikkim, I was blessed to be surrounded by nature that made me feel so calm and happy. I am becoming unhappy because I have too many expectations. I am becoming unhappy because I compare my life with others. I am becoming unhappy because each day all of us becoming lonelier. While growing up my neighbors were almost like my family. But, now I hardly know who lives next door. All of us are becoming connected on social media but in real life, we are becoming lonely. It is not unique to me but all of us are going through the same.
In the end, I would like to summarise that we are not leaving a happy world for our kids. Therefore, it is time we take control of this world and make it a better place. We need to have more love, compassion and empathy in our hearts to make this world a better place. Let me sign off with the lyrics of MJ’s ‘heal the world’ song.
And I know that it is love
And this place could be much
Brighter than tomorrow
And if you really try
You’ll find there’s no need to cry
In this place you’ll feel
There’s no hurt or sorrow
If you care enough for the living
Make a little space
Make a better place
Make it a better place
For you and for me
And the entire human race
There are people dying
If you care enough for the living
Make it a better place
For you and for me
There’s love that cannot lie
Love is strong
It only cares of joyful giving
If we try we shall see
In this bliss we cannot feel
Fear of dread
We stop existing and start living
Love’s enough for us growing
So make…
Trina Looks Back 
This is exactly my frame of mind today. Why can’t I be happy ? Why am I tired most of the time? Why does living get hard? I don’t know what kind of a world I will leave for my child.
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We think and feel alike❤️❤️
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It’s the stress, the mad rush for materialistic pleasures, a bad economy and work culture… Everything is adding to the unhappiness score. I feel people are more happy where the economy is good and the fight for resources is less. As kids we didn’t have to worry about all these things… Our needs were simple. I guess this is why minimalism anf meditation is making a comeback. Remember the age old saying – simple living high thinking 😊
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Yes exactly… everything is adding up to the stress
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Certainly, there is so much stress and comparisons. Social media is also responsible for creating unrest in our minds.
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I agree with you.
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You are right, Balaka. Unhappiness has become the talk of the town. Happiness coaches are sought out. The world transformed a lot from our childhood days. I think it’s okay to feel unhappiness, life is not about always being happy. As long as we are aware that unhappiness is just another feeling and that it is not our way of life, it’s okay to feel unhappy. Also, in our childhood, our expectations were not so high, so it was easy to find joy. And yes, we need to take a break and be in nature marveling at the butterflies and chasing dragonflies.
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It feels good to know that I feel happy these days. Happy even when things are not going the way I want them to. Maybe because I have learned that expectations ruin your peace of mind so as well accept whatever comes your way with a positive mindset! Of course, there are times when I feel terribly unhappy, but thankfully, those times are few and far between and I have learned to crib and then bounce back! Good, no? 🙂
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I am so proud of you. I am looking forward to your positive musings.
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I’ve been discussing this with my husband too and we realize that we live in a world where most people want to have it all. And that puts so much pressure on us that there’s no space for us to just ‘be’ and be happy!
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