Many of us have been conditioned to believe that happiness is something that we must earn, or that we must follow certain rules or standards to achieve. We may feel pressured by social media, advertisements, or our peers to conform to a certain image of happiness, such as having a perfect body, a successful career, a loving family, or a busy social life. We may also feel guilty about being happy when we see others who are suffering or struggling, and we may think that we don’t deserve to be happy when there is so much injustice and inequality in the world.
However, feeling guilty about being happy is not only unhealthy, but also counterproductive. Guilt can lower our self-esteem, increase our stress levels, and make us less likely to enjoy the present moment. Guilt can also prevent us from sharing our happiness with others, or from being compassionate and supportive to those who need it. It can rob us of the joy and gratitude that we should feel for the simple things in life, such as a sunny day, a good meal, a laugh with a friend, or a hug from a loved one.
The first step to being happy without guilt is to realize that happiness is not a competition, a reward, or a privilege. Happiness is a natural and universal human right, and we all deserve to be happy, regardless of our circumstances, choices, or achievements. Happiness is also not a fixed or static state, but a dynamic and fluctuating process, that depends on many factors, both internal and external. Happiness is not something that we can chase or attain, but something that we can cultivate and practice, by paying attention to our thoughts, feelings, and actions, and by aligning them with our values and goals.
The second step is to accept ourselves as we are, and to respect our own needs and preferences. We don’t have to follow a certain lifestyle, diet, or routine to be happy if we are taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
We don’t need to compare ourselves to others, or set unrealistic standards of happiness, as long as we are satisfied and content with what we have and who we are, and we don’t have to apologize or justify our happiness if we are not harming or hurting anyone else.
