The premise is that humans seek pleasure and avoid pain. Why do some people appear satisfied to languish in their suffering, sometimes boasting about it? They keep moaning even after improving their lifestyles.
Is comfort with unhappiness a barrier to change? Why do some people immediately return to what's not working after a moment of joy?
Deep insecurity or low self-esteem might make some people feel unworthy of happiness.
People who were raised with severe discipline and unreasonable expectations may associate sadness with love and achievement.
Chronic trauma or other negative events can cause an unconscious wish to return to unhappiness.
Some persons who look content with their lot may have a mental illness.
Some believe that being pragmatic or realistic entails focusing on the negative.
Some people are overwhelmed by guilt or regret for failing to overcome past mistakes or experiences. They punish themselves or others instead.
Some individuals fear joy because it can "set-up" disappointment.
For individuals who have only felt unhappiness, pleasure is scary.
Dissatisfaction motivates people to work more, change employment, eat healthier, spend more time with friends and family, and avoid bad habits.
Some people dedicate themselves to solving the world's issues. Even if noble, these folks cannot be happy when people are starving or global warming is destroying the earth.
Another theory is that people appreciate bad emotions. Eduardo Andrade and Joel Cohen found that some horror film viewers enjoyed being sad.
People enjoy both fear and comfort when the threat is removed, according to research. They claim this theory could explain why people like extreme sports and other scary or disgusting activities.
How can you tell if you're always sad? Unhappy addicts do:
Finding reasons to feel dissatisfied when life is “too good.”
Choosing to blame others rather to take responsibility for your actions.
Compete with friends and coworkers to be toughest.
Having trouble setting and attaining goals, or reaching goals but not enjoying them.
Struggling to recover from setbacks.
Using drugs, alcohol, sex, food, or other addictive or compulsive behaviours to escape or overcome something.
Avoid his fundamental requirements like food, exercise, and sleep.
Emotional slavery or inability to change.
Being unhappy even when life is good.
In my experience, happiness is complicated. Some are dissatisfied despite everything, while others are pleased even in the most difficult situations.
Others seem happy or miserable regardless of the situation, while others' happiness is temporary and situational. How do you define happiness—external success, interior contentment, or something else?
Sometimes happiness is a decision. We choose our thoughts and reactions, which affect our feelings. We can boost our happiness by changing our thinking (keeping a gratitude book, being present, accepting what is, or creating healthier coping skills). Our emotions may indicate that we need to adjust certain areas of our lives and take actions to improve our mood.