The question "What now?" is often answered with "I want to be happy again." However, leading a good life filled with satisfaction and leading a life centered around happiness is not the same thing.
We might need to rethink our approach to happiness. Equating happiness with constant joy is the main mistake. Humans aren’t designed to be perpetually euphoric. When joy fades, it can lead to disappointment, reinforcing a cycle of dissatisfaction. Focusing solely on joy makes its decline feel like failure. Viewing happiness as the natural human state implies that any deviation from it is a defect, fueling feelings of inadequacy and potentially leading to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
This will eventually lead to the vicious cycle of viewing happiness as a future goal, making it seemingly unattainable. This mindset prevents us from experiencing the present and embracing emotions such as pain and sadness, further fixating us on an elusive happiness. True fulfillment comes from accepting all emotions, allowing happiness to emerge naturally.
When happiness alone is not the answer to the question of how to lead a good life, what constitutes a fulfilling response?
A genuinely good life arises from introspection, actions that are aligned with your values, seeking growth opportunities whenever possible (rather than constantly asking, "Why should I do this?" one can ask, "Why shouldn’t I do this?")[LA2] , and deep connections with other people.
Understanding that perpetual joy isn't the essence of a good life can shift our focus towards genuine fulfillment. Rather than constantly chasing happiness as an end goal, we should embrace a spectrum of emotions and experiences. By aligning our actions with our values, seeking growth opportunities, and fostering deep connections, we can cultivate a truly satisfying life.
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