The good thing about being happy again is, if you've lost it, you can find it. It is attainable whether you decide to reach back or move toward unchartered territory for a new place of happiness. Of course, life is unpredictable, and we aren't promised 365 days of joy, but we can strive to have more good days than bad.
Yes, it is totally normal to not feel happy at times even when life is going great. Everyone experiences highs and lows in life, and happiness isn't a constant emotion or state of mind. It can take time, effort, and self-reflection to understand what brings you true contentment.
A negative or depressive worldview is often at the root of the fear of feeling good. There is a psychological phenomenon called confirmation bias, which means that people subconsciously seek out experiences that confirm the way that they already think of themselves and the world.
There are many reasons behind feeling unhappy, including not having your physical needs met (for example, not getting enough sleep or food), relationship distress, life challenges, mental illness, and trauma. Healing will depend on each person, but there are patterns that show how powerful certain actions can be.
One of the easiest ways to stop feeling sad is to engage in activities that you enjoy [4]. Do things like spending time with friends, getting outside, or going to social events. You could also draw, garden, or dance—whatever helps you feel less sad. To get started, make a long list of all the things you enjoy.
The Three Keys to Happiness
Scientists have found that the three things that make people most happy are PLEASURE (doing things you enjoy), ENGAGEMENT (feeling interested in your activities and connected to others), and MEANING (feeling like what you do matters).
True happiness is enjoying your own company and living in peace and harmony with your body, mind and soul. To be truly happy, you don't need other people or material things. Happiness is the consequence of personal effort and living a life of purpose.
Living with the effects of anxiety can cause depression as a result of avoidant behaviors, self-esteem changes, and hypervigilance. If you live with an anxiety disorder, you may have experienced depression in tandem. It doesn't always mean one caused the other but it's possible.
The anxiety you feel when you are on the verge of success, have met a goal, or are experiencing something wonderful in your life. This is the anxiety you experience when life is good - you've kissed success, you have what you want, life is easy. And bam. You feel the urge to flee or freeze.
It's possible to live with depression and feel happy at the same time. Sadness isn't the only depression symptom. If you're living with depression or know someone who is, you may think that the main symptom is a perpetual state of sadness.
Anhedonia is the inability to feel pleasure. It's a common symptom of depression as well as other mental health disorders.
Feeling not happy, not sad, just empty is an entirely normal feeling that indicates an underlying cause. It might be due to changing life situations, hormones, traumatic events, routine, lack of purpose, or mental health. Self-awareness is a significant part of identifying your symptoms or what you're going through.
A sense of holding back or being unable to relax in certain situations that remind you of the painful incident from the past. A deadening of your spirit, such that you sometimes can't feel joy, experience intimacy or cry appropriate tears numbing inside you.
According to Cummins, a lost soul can be the result of circumstances that don't align with your soul, including things like abusive relationships, a bad work environment, or simply neglecting your true passions and interests. "That can really fracture our spirit and our soul on all levels," she adds.