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In recent years, one might expect happiness to be more attainable than ever. That might also not be the case after all.
Paradoxically, modern society has witnessed the rise of an epidemic of unhappiness. Despite our progress, many people grapple with discontent and a downward spiral. Moreover, they often experience stress and a pervasive emptiness that not even wealth can fill.
The epidemic of unhappiness is what Spiritual Freedom Press tackles. When rediscovering the wisdom of human nature becomes difficult, we can look back on Chet Shupe’s book. Especially when we learn how civilization destroys happiness by replacing the intangible things humans need to survive. Because the modern unhappiness epidemic contributes to the imbalance of our well-being, we must examine its underlying causes.
The Underlying Causes of This Modern Epidemic of Unhappiness
With social media and constant exposure to curated lifestyles, the illusion of perfection permeates people’s hearts and minds. As it becomes a pervasive idea in society, comparing our lives to carefully crafted online personas can lead to feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness. Recognizing the superficiality of these comparisons and embracing self-acceptance can help break free from this cycle.
Modern civilization has also brought about a disconnection from nature and authentic experiences. The fast-paced lifestyle, reliance on technology, and urbanization have distanced us from the natural world. Moreover, the pursuit of success often leads to an unhealthy work-life imbalance. Long work hours, constant connectivity, and the pressure to achieve can result in burnout and a diminished sense of happiness.
The Disease of Consumerism and Materialism
Modern society often equates happiness with material wealth and the accumulation of possessions. However, it creates a never-ending cycle of desire, leading to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. Shifting our focus towards experiences, relationships, and gratitude can foster a more sustainable and fulfilling sense of happiness.
Moreover, many struggle to find meaning and purpose in this unhappiness epidemic. Because humans are notoriously terrible at making decisions, we fail to see our sense of purpose. Our obsession with ‘having it all’ becomes a disease that figuratively consumes our souls.
Consumerism and materialism can be understood as part of the epidemic of unhappiness. They are societal conditions or mindsets in which the acquisition of material goods is given excessive importance. Eventually, they become primary sources of personal fulfillment and identity. The disease of consumerism and materialism is characterized by an insatiable desire for possessions. It also boils down to the belief that our self-worth is tied to the accumulation of material things.
The Prevalence of the Epidemic of Unhappiness
As the lack of genuine happiness becomes prevalent in society, it had many effects on people, communities, and society. Prolonged feelings of dissatisfaction, stress, and discontent can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Moreover, the constant striving for happiness without achieving it can create a sense of hopelessness and despair.
The unhappiness epidemic can also spiral into a series of consequences from individuals up to the larger collective. At this point, finding spiritual freedom amid the chaos of civilization enables us to rediscover the wisdom of human nature. Modern civilization is not necessarily the catalyst for destroying happiness.
The Reality of Being Unhappy in This Day and Age
While our experience of unhappiness is unique, some common factors contribute to the epidemic of despair in modern society. For example, there’s often the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. It could be for appearances, success, or lifestyle. This unnecessary pressure can make us feel like we’re not enough and induce self-doubt. Ultimately, we believe in our hearts that we will always fall short of these standards.
Moreover, despite technological advancements that connect people globally, it drove us further to disconnection. We need to maintain our tangible relationships and dissociate from the ones we should care about. Because of this, traditional support systems like family, friends, and communities have weakened in many societies. This lack of social cohesion and support can lead to feelings of loneliness, isolation, and unhappiness.
May we always remember to look beyond the material possessions that modern civilization has pushed into our minds. And ultimately, we should practice believing that the unhappiness epidemic is curable by rediscovering what it means to be human. Moreover, our collective mindset regarding the material things we obsessively consume has to be reassessed. That ensures we can still care for our well-being and work towards a more fulfilling and balanced life.