Happiness is a serious moneymaker . multitude around the world spend hundreds of jillion of dollars trying to avoid the tough stuff and nonsense and find ripe about themselves , whether that ’s through prescription medicine pills , go away demented with dieting and fitness , or that time - test elixir of life : intoxicant .

As a psychotherapist who aid masses relegate their overall felicity degree up a few notch , I ’ve heard fairly much all of the myths out there about felicity . The unfit part is that these myths actually make youunhappy(messed up , correct ? ) – so ditching them is , paradoxically , part of finding happiness .

When you achieve [whatever goal you’re going after], you’ll be happy

bring down the promotion , the partner , the Lambo , the end weight , the condominium , whatever it is – you ’ll in the end know eternal happiness . Hey , it ’s not your fault for believe this , since you ’ve likely been feed the American pipe dream since the consequence you escape from the womb .

But this logic is flawed . accomplishment do n’t protect you from feeling like dogshit , and they decidedly do n’t make you superhuman . Multimillionaires still get depressed . People with " perfect " bodies still get dump . Steady , passive income does n’t protect you from losing someone to cancer . If you could get down prize where you are , rather than basing your common sense of fulfilment on some future acquirement , you ’ll be much skinny to happiness .

When you find the right person, you’ll be happy

If you mean being in a relationship is necessary for happiness , you ’re going to feel inadequate and probably anxious when you ’re single . There ’s no doubt a substantial human relationship can make your living better in a lot of path , but it ’s surely not a requirement . In fact , many people feel lonely andmoredisconnected in a kinship than outside of one .

When you ’re dysphoric , it ’s natural to pick your relationship status , but essay not to – or else of hold off for your " soulmate " to encounter into you like your life is aJohn Cusack motion-picture show , see if there are other way to meet your needs . You know , ways that are in your control .

The only thing that matters in a partner is that he or she makes you happy

More relationship fun ! This one is just mythical , for three independent reason : first , because only in a human beings of constant butterfly stroke and rainbows is a partner going to make you soooo happy all the time . In reality , sometimes they ’re going to annoy the shit out of you . Sometimes you ’re run to experience passing turned off by them . Sometimes you ’re going to feel underappreciated .

secondly , beloved does n’t suppress all . Sorry to ruin that John Cusack movie for you ( again ) . No matter how much you love someone , it commonly does n’t resolve a conflict over deciding to have kids , or last on different sides of the humanity with no plan to move , or not believing in monogamy . The list is limitless .

last , see above : you should witness ways to be happy regardless of your relationship .

married couple on swings myths about happiness

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Being happy means you’ll never feel like crap

It ’s no coincidence that a lot of these myths are platitude from fairytales , and nowhere is that more discernible than human beings ’s steadfast belief in glad endings . No ! Not that kind !

The " happily ever after " clobber just is n’t real . To be human is to feel , and it ’s a guaranty that you ’ll finger dashing hopes , going , choler , guilt , sadness , fear , fight , embarrassment , frustration , and so on and so on . These feelings are universal ; happiness is about being able to make space for ALL these shitty emotions , not just the positive I . They ’re not a preindication of brokenness or pathology . They think of you ’re not a robotor a sociopath . gracious work !

True happiness doesn’t need any validation from external people or achievements

Just because achieving your end wo n’t bring you happiness does n’t have in mind that a total insulation from the worldly concern is a sign of truthful content . Humans need link , and it ’s not a sign of unhappiness if you happen to want a class or really take pleasure in getting a promotion at oeuvre . Do n’t fuddle this with a romanticist connection , though – the all-important thing here is that joining makes you more human , whether that ’s through platonic friendships , volunteering , stamp aggregator swap meets , a backgammon club , or whatever you savour .

Happiness is merely a state of mind

There are few thing that get me more roil up than " inspirational " quotes like " Choose happiness " or " It ’s all in your head . " You know how that makes a person with depressive disorder or anxiety feel ? REALLY FUCKING SHITTY .

Of courseyour expectation has a important encroachment on humor , but so do hormones , neurotransmitters , eternal rest , exercise , dieting , drugs , breakups , decease , stress , conversion , that John Cusack movie you ca n’t stop speak about – you get the estimation .

You ca n’t just " choose " happiness . Rather than telling yourself it ’s all in your school principal when you ’re feel queasy or lowly , drill ego - compassion , attend around with people who wo n’t judge you if you ’re not a nut of positiveness , and consider all the other cause besides " your attitude " that might be contributing to your mood .

couple in the process of buying a house myths about happiness

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Gratitude will make you happier

Have you ever palpate really crappy , and some well - meaning person attempts to barrack you up by order , " Be grateful for what you have ! " Or , " Those are first - world problems ! " Well , problem are still problem , and telling yourself you should feel other than is a recipe for adding shame on top of everything else . So now you ’re not only feeling sorry , nervous , or alone – you ’re ashamed , too .

There ’s no doubtfulness that practice gratitude can make you happier , especially when you ’re doing it after waking up on the right side of the bed . But when you ’re feeling depressed or anxious or heartbroken , there ’s an fine art to it . Do n’t beat yourself up because there are millions of people around the world whose living are bad than yours . Otherwise , it could make you feel even worse .

So , the next clock time you see yourself try happiness , two-fold - check to make trusted you ’re not looking in all these wrong places .

lonely woman on swings looking at sunset

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Megan Bruneau , M.A. RCC is a psychotherapist and wellness coach who gets really miffed over " cocksure thinking . " Read more from her atOneShrinksPerspective.comor reach her at megan.bruneau@gmail.com , and follow her onYouTube , Facebook , Twitter , andInstagram .

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