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No amount of telling yourself you're happy will make you happy. You can't just "make yourself happy", it's a side effect of other things you do in your life.
by bobbean 7y ago
No amount of telling yourself you're happy will make you happy. You can't just "make yourself happy", it's a side effect of other things you do in your life.
- justaguyhere 7y agoYup. There was a recent guest on Tim Ferriss podcast - he was talking about depressed people, no amount of "you should be happy" or "there are people who have it much worse than you" is gonna help depressed people. It is only going to annoy them and drive them away. That said, there are people who use affirmations successfully to get out their misery. I dunno what to believe anymore
- copperx 7y agoIf you are not depressed (big if), and you're just going through the motions of life, you CAN make yourself happier just by reading the right material (e.g., Feeling Good, The Four Agreements) or yes, even affirmations. The happiness will last for about a day, in my experience. Then you can revisit the material.
- ian0 7y agoI run a checklist in my head whenever im feeling really down. I think about things I know make me really happy, basic things. Friends, family, travel, motorbikes etc. And if when thinking about those I still feel down and pessimistic - I understand that it's my brain chemicals at play and Im in a funk. Doesn't help me feel better in that particular moment, but does let me know that later it will get better and there some context and comfort in that.
- dhimes 7y agoJust keep in mind that there is a difference between happiness and pleasure. There are unpleasurable things, such as helping at a homeless shelter and such, can bring you happiness. On the other hand, there are pleasurable things that can lead to unhappiness. The Dalai Lama makes this point.