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Don’t worry – you don’t always need to be happy

Don’t worry – you don’t always need to be happy

Even if we want to buy into the modern happiness cult, most of us can’t help but notice that life frequently just sucks.

I’m all for life and liberty. But the pursuit of happiness? In penning his famous line in 1776, Thomas Jefferson may have been spot-on about unalienable rights. But as a life coach – which, admittedly, he wasn’t claiming to be – he and the entire Western Enlightenment caused lasting and unquantifiable damage.

During the festive and allegedly soulful season, I want to take some pressure off you. Happiness shouldn’t be your goal, nor is it the point of life. In fact, dwelling on it will only make you and others miserable. So don’t worry about it.

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Original URL: https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/arts-and-culture/don-t-worry-you-don-t-always-need-to-be-happy-20221223-p5c8lb