Why It’s Okay To Not Always Be Happy

People often feel like they need to be happy all the time. And Social media makes it worse. You go online and see people post their “perfect” lives laughing with friends, going on trips, winning awards etc. which is often polished. After a while, it starts to feel like everyone else is doing fine, and you’re the only one struggling. But here’s the truth: feeling sad, tired, angry, bored, or just off is completely normal. All emotions matter. You weren’t made to feel only one kind of way and emotions are the only thing that separates you from a robot.

Let’s be real, happiness is not something you can hold onto forever. Some days are great while some aren't. That doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you. It just means you’re human. There’s nothing to fix when you’re having a bad day. It doesn’t mean you’re weak or unmotivated. Feeling sad, angry or confused is a part of life. The main problem is that society pushes us to hide these feelings or cope with them right away- which can make you feel worse, not better.

What makes it harder is the stuff we see online. You see posts about positivity and success. Rarely do you see someone posting about feeling stuck or crying. But those moments are real too. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, about 48% of teens say social media hurts their mental health, and nearly half admit they spend way too much time online. Constant scrolling can make you think you’re the only one who doesn’t have it together. But you’re not.

A better way to handle tough emotions is to be honest with yourself. If today feels heavy, that’s okay. Say it out loud. Let your brain acknowledge it really. “I feel off today.” That one sentence can create space in your brain. You can also write things down in a notebook or in your notes app. Don’t worry about grammar or structure. Just say what’s in your head and be real. It helps.

Also be kind to yourself. Think about how you’d treat a friend who’s having a hard day. You wouldn’t tell them to snap out of it. You’d probably sit with them, hand them some snacks, and say, “It’s okay to feel this.” That’s what you deserve too. Try simple things that feel calming or enjoyable. You could make tea, take a warm shower, go outside, or put on your favorite playlist. These aren’t magical solutions though but they’ll remind you that you’re still here, still breathing, still moving forward even on the hard days.

The most important thing to remember is that feelings move. Sadness doesn’t last forever. Neither does Happiness. If you give emotions room to exist, they eventually pass on their own.

Works Cited:

Pew Research Center. “Teens, Social Media and Mental Health.”, Apr. 2025.