In the grand tapestry of life, happiness is often depicted as the ultimate prize, a destination we all strive to reach. The Dalai Lama once wisely said, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” Yet, there are times when we find ourselves ensnared in a web of unhappiness, a state that seems to seep into every corner of our existence, clouding our days and dampening our spirits. Such was the case for Jasmine Randhawa, who embarked on a profound journey of self-discovery when unhappiness came knocking at her door.
For months on end, Randhawa’s mornings became a repetitive and dreary ritual. Each day, she would open her eyes, greeted not by a sense of anticipation but by a heavy sigh of misery. Sitting at the edge of the bed, she would muster the meager energy she had to mentally prepare herself for yet another day. It was a struggle just to stand up and face the world, as if an invisible weight was holding her down.
What made this period particularly perplexing was that Randhawa had already come a long way in healing from severe anxiety. While mild bouts of anxiety still occasionally visited, the crippling severity she once knew was a distant memory. And yet, unhappiness had taken its place, slowly but surely consuming her.
As the months wore on, the symptoms of her unhappiness began to manifest in physical ways. Her thoughts became a chaotic jumble, multiplying and scattering in her mind. Her jaw tightened, her breaths grew shallow and rapid, her hands trembled, and her body felt heavy and sluggish. It was as if her body was trying to tell her something, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
One fateful morning, something shifted. Still sitting at the edge of the bed, she felt a wave of dizziness and nausea wash over her. She knew in her gut that she wasn’t well, that she needed a day to simply be and do nothing. So, she called in sick to work, hoping that a day of rest would bring her some relief. But instead of finding peace, the distant memory of severe anxiety came rushing back, closer than ever before.
The first half of the day was a blur of activity as Randhawa tried desperately to escape the clutches of anxiety. She moved restlessly from one room to another, upstairs and downstairs, even venturing out to the front patio. She cleaned, did laundry, cooked, and mindlessly scrolled through social media, all in an attempt to distract herself from the mental and physical pain. But no matter what she did, the anxiety persisted, lurking just beneath the surface.
Then, in a moment of unexpected clarity, it all came to a head. As she was putting away clean laundry and walking back downstairs, she felt an overwhelming urge to sit down on the steps of the staircase. And in that moment, the severe anxiety attack that had been building up finally burst forth. Her heart raced, her lips quivered, and tears streamed down her face as she cried out in agony. She reached out to the universe, pleading for mercy, for an end to the mental anguish that was consuming her.
Fifteen minutes later, the anxiety began to subside, but Randhawa remained on the steps, lost in thought. For the next few days, she felt more hopeless than unhappy. She dragged herself through each day, counting down the hours until she could retreat to the safety of her bed at night. It was the only time she felt truly at peace, hidden away in the darkness and silence, where the world couldn’t touch her.
But then, one late afternoon, everything changed. As Randhawa was unloading the dishwasher, her husband walked into the kitchen and said those fateful words, “Something isn’t right in the universe.” It was their way of acknowledging that something was off, that one of them was out of balance, even if they couldn’t quite put their finger on it.
At first, Randhawa tried to brush it off, insisting that she was okay. But her husband saw through her facade. He turned her around to face him, and with a gentle yet firm voice, he said, “You haven’t been okay for a while now.” That was all it took for the dam to break. Randhawa finally admitted that she had been unhappy for a long time, but she didn’t know why.
Her husband’s response was simple yet profound: “It seems like you aren’t nourishing your soul.” In that moment, everything clicked. Randhawa realized that she had been so caught up in the daily grind of work, cooking, and cleaning that she had forgotten to take care of herself, to do the things that brought her joy and fulfillment. She had been living in survival mode, focused only on getting through each day, rather than thriving and truly living.
It was a wake-up call, a moment of profound realization. Randhawa began to reflect on the things that truly made her happy, the activities that sparked joy within her soul. She remembered the simple pleasures of life, like looking for and trying new dessert recipes, browsing through bookstores, writing, spending time in nature, visiting her family, and hanging out with her husband and dog. These were the things that nourished her soul, that brought light, joy, love, and peace into her life.
But for months, she had neglected these things, allowing the demands of daily life to take precedence. She had forgotten that survival mode was only meant to sustain her physically, but if she wanted to truly be happy, she needed to nourish her soul as well.
So, Randhawa decided to take action. She made a commitment to herself to create time and space for the things that mattered most, to make self-care a priority. She started by reflecting on what brought her joy, writing down a list of activities that she wanted to incorporate into her life. She then took that list and turned it into a plan, scheduling time each week to do the things that nourished her soul.
It wasn’t always easy. There were days when she felt tired or overwhelmed, when the pull of survival mode was strong. But she reminded herself of the importance of taking care of herself, of making time for the things that brought her happiness. And slowly but surely, she began to see a difference. She woke up with more energy and enthusiasm, and she felt happier and more fulfilled in her daily life.
Randhawa’s story is a powerful reminder that unhappiness is not something to be ignored or suppressed. It is a signal, a cry from our soul that something is missing, that we need to take care of ourselves. When we find ourselves caught in the web of unhappiness, it’s important to take a step back, to reflect on what truly matters to us, and to make a commitment to nourish our soul.
Survival mode is a necessary part of life, but it shouldn’t be the only mode we operate in. We need to make time for the things that bring us joy, for the activities that nourish our soul and help us thrive. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a walk in nature, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing a creative hobby, we all have something that makes us feel alive.
So, the next time you find yourself feeling unhappy, take a moment to listen to your soul. What is it crying out for? What do you need to do to nourish yourself and find happiness? And then, take action. Make a commitment to yourself to create time and space for the things that matter most, and watch as your life transforms before your eyes. Because when we nourish our soul, we not only find happiness but also a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment in life.
