16 Things Unhappy People Always Do
Not everyone can wear a smile every day. Still, there's a difference between having a bad day and being a lifetime Grinch.
When we're happy, we tend to do things that brighten up the aura surrounding us. It's intoxicating and spreads to others. Unfortunately, unhappy people have the same effect, bringing down the mood with their morose attitudes.
Do you know where you land on the happiness spectrum? It's not always easy to self-reflect and realize you're an unhappy person, but keep an eye on your habits and see if you frequently exhibit any of these telltale signs.
1. See Obstacles as Roadblocks
Everyone goes through challenges in life, and you need to learn how to view things positively. Unhappy people see everything as a roadblock. They think all obstacles that come their way hinder their success.
There’s no path to a greater good if you don’t face your problems. You have to see that obstacles allow you to achieve your goals. It can be challenging to overcome them, but it is possible.
2. Believe the World Is Against Them
Life isn’t all rainbows and unicorns. Problems make you stronger and more resilient. However, unhappy people see problems or obstacles as a sign that the world is against them.
Losing a job or a partner doesn't mean the world hates you. The world isn't always fair, but we must live with the highs and lows. When you face a challenge, think of it as a path to a better opportunity or a lesson that you teach yourself to improve next time.
3. Frequently Compare Themselves
There’ll always be someone better at what you do. It’s common for unhappy people to compare themselves to others with seemingly better lives. While it’s nice to admire other people, there's no reason to look down on yourself.
You might not know it, but other people might dream of having your life. You might take some things for granted as you're used to what you already have. Stop comparing yourself to others and focus on yourself.
4. Happiness Depends on Others
Does your happiness depend on external validation? Do you care too much about how others perceive you? If you only focus on what other people think of you, it'll drag you down.
Unhappy people's lives revolve around what other people think of them. The key to happiness is to focus on how you personally feel and improve your outlook on life.
5. Not Taking Personal Responsibility
Sad people don’t take responsibility for their actions. They blame their behavior on something or someone else. They never see things as their fault, as they believe life conspires against them.
It’s easy to blame others, but it won't bring you any happiness. You have to take accountability for your actions and learn from the obstacles you overcome to prevent them from happening again.
6. Hold Grudges
An unhappy person lives in the past and is unable to let go of negative memories. Holding a grudge makes it hard to move forward and look at the brighter side of life. You don't want to keep replaying past arguments in your head or refuse to forgive someone who has wronged you.
To achieve true happiness, you should learn to leave things in the past. When you choose to forgive, you instantly feel the weight lifted off your shoulders.
7. Complain
Unhappy and negative people complain about everything inconvenient or annoying. They complain about their work, health, or relationships, even when they have the power to change those things.
The difference is that unhappy individuals complain without any plans to change their situation. If you want to alter your outlook, realize that your life is within your control. Communicate with your partner, find a better job, or make healthier choices — complaints without action lead nowhere.
8. Never Satisfied
Plenty of rich people are unhappy with their lives. Wealth doesn't automatically translate to happiness. Even if you can buy anything you want, you'll never be pleased if you don't know how to find satisfaction.
To be happy and know when enough is enough, you need to embrace any feeling of fulfillment. Constantly wanting more makes you overlook what you already have. Learn to appreciate your current circumstances and don't take things for granted.
9. Never Present
Unhappy people tend to be distant from others, keeping away from the present. They might prefer to look at their phone screens over face-to-face conversations with friends.
How can you be happy if you're constantly distracted and don't live for today? Instead of isolating yourself, be in the “here and now” and stop worrying about what could go wrong. Order your favorite food, sing karaoke, take pictures, and do things that allow you to live in the moment.
10. Self-centered
Unhappy people are self-centered because they think the world is designed to give them a hard time. They think they're the only ones going through a rough patch while everyone else is worry-free. Unhappy people disregard how others feel and don't try to empathize with them.
I once read a quote that said, “Remember, everyone is fighting a silent battle, so always be kind.” It opened my eyes to the fact that you may not see the struggles that someone is enduring, but that doesn't mean there aren't any.
11. Making Everything a Big Deal
Unhappy people tend to exaggerate minor incidents. For example, if the waiter gives them the wrong order at a restaurant, they take it as a personal insult. They twist an honest mistake around, thinking something was done with intent.
Since they're already in a bad mood, one small frustration can tick them off. You want to avoid doing that by thinking about what is really important in your life. If something small happens, think about your priorities and if this minuscule incident really makes the top of your list.
12. Doesn’t Want To Change
You need change in order to progress in life. You shouldn't envision yourself in the same situation five years from now, especially if you don't like where you currently are. Yet, sad people resist change no matter how dissatisfied they are.
A reason that unhappy people don’t want to change can be because they fear failure. They want to keep themselves in their comfort zones as they know what to expect. If your comfort zone isn’t getting you anywhere, it’s time to step away from it and take steps toward a different life.
13. Lives in the Past or Future
An unhappy person tends to live in the past or future. They hold on too tightly to things that are no longer the same, whether it be an old lover or a missed work opportunity. They're obsessed with what their life could've been if they had chosen differently.
On the other hand, they might worry too much about what might happen a day, month, or year from now. They're extremely anxious about what might happen; will they get married, start a family, or get their dream job? While it's normal to worry about these things, it affects your mood if you spend too much time worrying.
14. Set Unrealistic Expectations
It's healthy to set goals for yourself, such as losing weight, learning new skills, or upscaling your business. However, if you set unrealistic goals, you'll just become unhappy as you'll never meet them.
You might feel like a failure if you don’t reach your expectations, especially if you’re a perfectionist. While it sounds amazing to imagine yourself in the best possible scenario, make sure to set goals you can actually achieve. Even while striving for your goals, don't forget to take a break and relax every once in a while, as you can't function without enough rest.
15. Neglect Their Health
Unhappy people tend to neglect their health because they don’t see their lives as better when they do. They lack the motivation to take the first step toward improved health and more energy.
Once my friends and family had children, I was motivated to live a healthier life so I could be with them for a long time and watch them grow up. I love being an aunt, and it gave me something positive to look forward to in the future.
