“People want to feel happiness at all times, but this is a very unhealthy idea.”

This was in a tweet from Karla McLaren, author of the book The Language of Emotions and I thought this idea needs to be repeated, even to myself.

When we have a thread of high positivity in our psychological makeup, sometimes, when things go flat, it can feel all wrong. But the thing is, we are not supposed to feel happy ALL THE TIME.

Happiness is just one of the many feelings that comes and goes. It’s a feeling that also needs to be cultivated.

Here’s what the lovely Karla McLaren says:

People want to feel happiness at all times, but this is a very unhealthy idea.

Happiness arises for specific reasons, and it’s not meant to be present all the time. Enjoy your happiness when it’s appropriate, and feel all of your other emotions when *they’re* appropriate too!

In the Gallup CliftonStrengths Test, Positivity is pretty high for me (in my top 10.) While it’s an area of potential strength for me, sometimes, a part of me also confuses it with happiness or appearing happy. So, this is a great reminder.

We are not supposed to be happy all the time.

To me, that also means that happiness is something we need to cultivate & grow like flowers in a garden and not assume that it will just spring forth all on its own.

Ritu Kaushal is the author of the book The Empath’s Journey, which TEDx speaker Andy Mort calls “a fascinating insight into the life of a highly sensitive person & emotional empath.” SIGN UP here for Ritu’s newsletter The Highly Sensitive Creative, or get the book here.