Why Am I So Sad? The Gap Between Dreams And Reality
I think every single living person wants to live a happy life, which has joy, happiness and is fulfilling. However, they do not always receive the promises they expected, and perhaps sometimes they don’t even find the promised land at all. Sometimes, we may not know which way to turn, experiencing sadness or disappointment when this occurs.
It's normal to feel this way. This is a common human experience called disillusionment. We often set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and the world around us, which can lead to constant disappointment and frustration.
We want to have our dreams come true, in terms of being healthy and fit, or having a happy family, a good job or being popular and liked by many people. Often, however, it is not the case. Sometimes we face some health issues, families have relational issues, careers encounter some hurdles and things may not be ok with friends. Such mishaps are the ones which make us feel sad and emotionally distressed; we never expect them to happen.
We often feel bad because we expect too much from ourselves and others. This can lead to perfectionism, low self-esteem, and anxiety. We dream of a perfect life:...
-
Perfect health: Always feeling our best, both physically and mentally.
-
Successful families: Our children excel in everything, and our parents always understand and support us.
-
Job security: A stable career without any worries.
-
Ideal relationships: A partner who meets our every need and a supportive social circle.
-
Approval from others: Constantly seeking validation and positive feedback.
When these expectations aren't met, we experience disappointment and frustration. This can lead to feelings of sadness, anger, or even hopelessness.
Why we are feeling sad:
The seeds of our sadness are often sown by the grief of unmet expectations. We might feel disappointed when...
-
Our health isn't perfect.
-
Our children face challenges.
-
Our parents don't always understand us.
-
We lose our jobs or face financial difficulties.
-
Our relationships aren't as fulfilling as we'd hoped.
-
Others don't appreciate us as much as we'd like.
Practical Tips to Overcome the feeling of Sadness:
Expect the best, Prepare for the worst. (Muhammad Ali Jinnah)
-
Accept Reality: Embrace the unpredictability of life and learn to adapt to change.
-
Identify Problems: Pinpoint the specific issues that are causing you distress.
-
Prioritize: Focus on addressing the most manageable problems first then others.
-
Stop thinking: Stop thinking about the problems you can't solve. Just leave them to God. Because you have no other option. Thinking about them will only harm your health and do nothing else. And at that time, this is your test, that you do not go towards negativity to solve your problem. Always think and do good for others and yourself.
-
Build strong relationships: Surround yourself with supportive people.
-
Me-Time Matters: Dedicate at least half an hour or an hour each day to doing things that make you happy, like skincare, exercise, learning time management skills or enjoying a favorite meal.
-
Give your 100%: Stop worrying about what people think of you or what they want from you. Give your 100% and leave the results to God.
-
Focus on the Positive: Appreciate the good things in your life.
-
The Role of Gratitude: Focusing on what you have, rather than what you lack, can boost your mood.
-
Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, especially when things don't go your way.
-
The Power of Time: Many challenges are temporary, and with time, things can improve.
Life Lesson:
True happiness lies in embracing the present moment and finding joy in the journey, rather than constantly striving for an unattainable ideal.
