Why are We A Nation of Unhappy People?

“The unhappiest people in the world are those who care the most about what other people think”

C. JoyBell

Ranking at 126th spot, India has managed to park itself at the bottom of the World Happiness Report 2023. For the sixth year in a row, Finland is the world’s happiest country. And quite surprisingly India is still behind close neighbours like Sri Lanka (No. 112), Pakistan (No. 108) and Nepal (No. 78).

The Happiness Index should be a cause for concern for all Indians and it is a reminder that the country needs to do more to address the deep-seated problems.

This raises the obvious question in my mind “Why are Indians so unhappy?“

I won’t bore you with statistics and economic data. Instead, I’d like to look into the heart of the matter from a personal, social, and cultural perspective.

1. The Weight of Others’ Opinions: In India, it often feels like we’re living under the constant gaze of society. Our choices, our aspirations, even our happiness seems to be scrutinized by an invisible jury of onlookers. We care deeply about what others think of us, and this preoccupation can be stifling. A talented singer or athlete passionate about pursuing a career in music or sports having to follow a traditional career path leading to unhappiness. This is a story many of us have lived and identify with.
2. The Pressures of Expectations: From a young age, we’re burdened with expectations. Be a doctor, an engineer, or a civil servant. Marry by a certain age. Have children soon after. These expectations aren’t just desires; they’re demands. The weight of these demands can be overwhelming.
3. The Grip of Patriarchy: Our society is deeply entrenched in patriarchy. While strides have been made, gender bias persists. Women are often relegated to secondary roles, their aspirations and dreams brushed aside. This inherent and deep rooted prejudices inequality breeds unhappiness.
4. Losing Human Connections: We often prioritize individual achievements over human connections. We spend more time on screens than with real people, nurturing virtual relationships instead of real ones. This loss of genuine human interactions can lead to profound loneliness and unhappiness.
5. The Comparison Conundrum: Social media exacerbates our unhappiness. We constantly compare our lives to the curated and filtered lives of others we see on social media. It’s a race to showcase the best, and this relentless comparison can leave us feeling inadequate. We fear to show our mundane,
6. The Mask of Conformity: We often wear masks, concealing our true selves to fit into societal molds. These masks hide our vulnerabilities, our quirks, and our authentic selves. Living behind a façade can be profoundly dissatisfying.
7. The Pursuit of Materialism: With growing income levels consumerism has gripped the Indian society. We chase material possessions, believing they will fill the void. Yet, the pursuit of things often leaves us empty and yearning for more. Expensive bags, branded clothes, and mansions don’t come handy when we are lonely and distressed.
8. The Neglect of Mental Health: Our society hasn’t paid enough attention to mental health. The stigma surrounding mental health issues forces many to suffer in silence. Ignoring our emotional well-being is a sure path to unhappiness.

As I contemplate India’s low ranking on the global happiness scale, it becomes apparent that happiness isn’t solely dependent on external factors or societal pressures. It’s a deeply personal and often learned behavior.

Realizing that genuine happiness isn’t derived from material possessions or societal validation; it emerges from our connections with others and the way we perceive ourselves. We can choose to break free from the shackles of societal expectations, celebrating people for who they are, not what they have. Happiness, after all, is a conscious choice we make every day.