you must prioritize your happiness

“I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me ―This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.”

― Neil Pasricha, The Happiness Equation

Right from our childhood, many of us have been taught that we can only experience happiness when we achieve something significant. We’re all programmed with the belief that happiness is something you chase. But this exact mindset is what drives many people to the deep abyss of misery.  

Happiness is in the process, not the outcome. Setting goals is not a bad thing, but focusing too much on results without taking a pause and evaluating if you’re truly enjoying the journey or not never leads to anything good. 

There’s no point in chasing happiness that doesn’t last. Rather, it’s much better to start from a place of happiness and engage in things and activities for the sheer joy of doing them.