Why the Happiest People Are the Saddest?

Intro

I’ve been thinking about something called virtue signaling. Here’s a quick definition:

Virtue signaling is the act of showcasing one's moral values or beliefs to gain approval or admiration from others, often with little genuine commitment to the cause. It emphasizes appearing virtuous rather than truly engaging with the issue at hand.

But I don’t think this fully explains why the happiest people can also be the saddest.

It’s not that these people lack commitment to spreading joy; rather, in many cases, they mask their personal struggles by projecting an image of happiness. They put forth a version of themselves that’s easier for the world to accept, but underneath, they’re still battling their own mental struggles.

What I’m getting at is, when someone appears overwhelmingly positive on the outside, it’s worth asking—what are they trying to hide on the inside?

Experience

Personally, I’ve got a lot of emotions that I struggle with. I don’t think that’ll ever stop. Sometimes they hit hard, and you just wish they’d go away. Eventually, they do. Sometimes, it’s writing or focusing on something you believe is valuable that helps ease the weight. But this internal battle is something that everyone is constantly dealing with, whether or not they show it.

Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover

So, if you run into someone on the street who seems standoffish or rude, keep in mind that they might just be unable to manage their emotions at that moment. Sometimes, all it takes is a lack of sleep, a restless night, or—trust me on this—six months of raising a child (Roman is six months old now, and that’s no joke).

Does It Matter to Be Productive in Times of Emotional Distress?

Probably not, but that doesn’t erase the fact that you still have commitments—to yourself, your boss, and the world around you.

Stop Complaining

Complaining without action is a waste of time. Yes, I realize the irony in that statement—it’s intentional.

So, Why Are the Happiest People Actually the Saddest?

Here’s the truth: there aren’t any purely “happy people” or “sad people.” We’re all somewhere on our own emotional roller coaster. You can be really happy one moment and the saddest person in the world an hour later. It’s all about where you are in that snapshot of time.

People Have Emotional Averages

If you looked at someone’s happiness over a period of time, you could probably average it out. Maybe that average is a better indicator of who they are emotionally.

Averages Are Often Misleading

It’s no secret that averages can be misleading. If someone is mostly unhappy but constantly puts a positive spin on the world, does their emotional average really matter?

Conclusion

The happiest people might seem like they have it all together, but that image doesn’t always match what’s going on inside. It’s a façade, a way of dealing with life’s ups and downs. Everyone has their struggles, and those who smile the brightest often do so to keep the darkness at bay. Remember, emotions fluctuate, and happiness and sadness are two sides of the same coin. The key is to understand that no one is ever just one thing. We’re all riding that roller coaster—sometimes up, sometimes down, but always moving forward.