Reclaiming Your Magic: Rediscovering Happiness Beyond Society's Expectations
When one lives in a world that is saturated with social media, cultural norms and societal standards, the pursuit of pleasure frequently turns into a journey that is scripted and directed by societal demands. Whether it is through the romanticized depictions of marriage and parenting or through the unrelenting desire of wealth, power, and beauty, the pathway to happiness is frequently determined by the story that society presents. On the other hand, in our pursuit of fulfillment, we can discover that we have lost touch with our intrinsic magic, which is the singular element that characterizes who we are at our core. The purpose of this book is to take us on a trip to recapture our magic and to seek happiness beyond the restricted prescriptions that society has for us.
Chapter 1: The Illusion of Happiness
Happiness is frequently portrayed as a destination in our contemporary society. It is a place that we arrive at once we have accomplished all of the following: achieving success in our careers, having a great relationship, having a beautiful family, and being financially secure. However, this narrative of happiness as an ultimate goal doesn't take into account the complexities of human emotions or the many different ways that fulfillment can be experienced. Through the perpetuation of this illusion, society establishes standards that are impossible to meet, which can cause most humans to experience feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction, even when they appear to have accomplished all of the indicators of success. You don't have a child? Full- tarantula-like lashes? Money? Do yoga? Pets? Partner? Podcast? Friends? Followers? Where are your tattoos? Where do you work out? You haven't been to (fill in the blank)? You don't ski? You don't want to live in a remote cabin in the forest? Dye your hair! Journal? Read? Drink Kombucha? Own your home? Etsy store? Your car is old. Your partner is old. You're fat. You like men? Women? You're a republican? You don't have sex like a porn-star...
The mere idea that we indoctrinate ourselves, each other and future generations with this, is insane. And in the very rare instance that someone looks at you in the eyes and asks you, "What truly makes you happy? " Our first inclination is to quickly think about what will sound the most relevant or what will be the most impressive to your audience because that is what you were taught to believe. We are taught that "happy" is external. We are taught that happy is a standard that others set for us. This is why we feel unfulfilled. This is why we have a bucket list; because we do not give ourselves permission to live until we are dying. Well, guess what, baby? Every single minute that you are alive, you are simultaneously dying. so stop putting so much energy in what others have decided should make you happy and instead, find your magic. Your bliss. Not because you think your life is ending but just because it's Tuesday. If you want to stay stuck, this is probably not a book for you. At some point, to feel fully alive you have to say, "F*ck happy, I want magic!"
As a result of the suffocating nature of this societal pressure to comply to a preconceived definition of happiness, individuals may place a higher value on the approval of others than they do on their own internal sense of what constitutes happiness. Beginning at an early age, we are inundated with messages about what it means to be happy and successful. These messages can come from ads, social media, or even from friends and family members who are trying to give us advice with good intentions. As a consequence of this, a significant number of us internalize these signals and evaluate our value in relation to external standards with the purpose of continually seeking to fulfill the expectations of society.
When we pursue this illusory ideal of happiness, we can discover that we are stuck on a never-ending treadmill of effort and discontent. We are left feeling empty and disappointed as a result of the chase of hollow rewards, which is why the promotion of material prosperity, social prestige, and superficial pleasures as the keys to happiness simply helps to prolong a cycle of consumerism and comparison. It teaches us that we do not deserve to be the architects of our own happiness and further reinforces that you are suppose to pick from an approved list of pre approved version of what your life and your happy will or should be.
In actuality, genuine pleasure is not a goal that must be arrived at; rather, it is a journey that must be welcomed; a journey that unfolds in the present moment, regardless of the circumstances that are external to oneself or the expectations that society gives. Rather than focusing on achieving outward objectives, it is the cultivation of inner calm, satisfaction, and sincerity that leads to the discovery of this.
The conventional story of happiness can be called into question, and our relationship with success can be redefined, in order for us to break free from the constraints of societal expectations and find a more profound and significant source of pleasure. The advantages are immense, and they include a life lived on your own terms, led by your own unique ideals and objectives. However, this needs courage, self-awareness, and a willingness to confront the existing quo.
In the following chapters, we explore the numerous ways in which the expectations of happiness that society has for us can cause us to deviate from the path of happiness, and we will provide valuable ideas and techniques for reclaiming our inner magic and rediscovering true fulfillment. The trip is one of self-discovery and self-empowerment; it is a path that encourages us to embrace our authenticity, pursue our passions, and develop a life that is purposeful and magical, free from the confines of society conventions and expectations.
コメント