Did you wake up recently dragging yourself out of the bed and reluctant to start the day? Is the mere thought of doing 
the same routine day after day make you recoil and wish you have Harry Potter’s magical wand and with a few incantation, make yourself teleport to another place like maybe, the Bahamas?
Most people I know are in the same state of anhedonia, the degree of which varies depending on specific situations. With the economy suddenly headed to a free fall a few months ago, more individuals losing their job security, and newspapers filled with grim outlook, many more are joining the ranks of unhappy people.
What is the root cause of unhappiness?
Different books and different schools of thought will give you varying responses. The most common contention of which is that our unhappiness is the product of our unmet needs. Whether tangible or intangible, our inability to fulfill these needs create the negativity in us. The same negativity is slowly taking root initially at the back of our minds which eventually find its way to our consciousness. Thus, what started us a vague feeling of restlessness, dissatisfaction, fear and anxiety become manifested. Insomnia. Sudden acceleration of the heart rate. Fatigue. Depression. And the list goes on.
Because unhappiness is a negative feeling, the only way to offset is to create a positive energy in us. If the cause of one’s unhappiness is money, the most logical answer will be to find the means to get it. If the reason why one is unhappy is because he has not achieved a lasting meaningful relationship, taking a step out and meet new people will be the balancing act. And if work has already created the feeling of dissatisfaction and disillusionment, going for a break and appraising the job from a more objective view will prove to be beneficial and can averse a potentially bad career move.
The point is, one has to confront his issues and address the main point of his unhappiness. Acknowledging it is a major step towards the right direction. Many people would rather burrow their head under the sand rather than confront their feelings and their thoughts. For many individuals, feeling unhappy is a weakness. A character defect. A flaw. And accepting it, much more putting a label on it, a taboo. A lessening of stature of how others will perceive the person.
Nothing can be more wrong than this. It is very human to feel unhappy. To be depressed at one time or another. And no, it is not just because we are lacking in faith. Or does not pray often enough. Or invoke our Gods.
But while it is okay to be unhappy, to remain as such is another story. For no matter what state we find ourselves in, we can always choose not to remain unhappy. We can always make that conscious effort to stop the negativity and kick that gloomy feeling away. To be positive about life again.
Like talking to a friend. Or checking the papers and putting on that suit to get the new job. Or maybe, creating a physical distance between one and his current situation.
Maybe that is what I am doing now. Traveling halfway across the globe. Away from the perceived source of discontentment. To find a perspective. To feel alive again and come back anew.
No matter what step we take, our commitment is crucial. Self therapy is not for everyone. But anyone can always try and it is free.
We all deserve to be happy. We all deserve a good life. And we all have that innate capacity to make it happen….
