They named it Happiness

"We all desire to pursue happiness, but sometimes happiness becomes merely a motivation to chase something else."

Every time I take a stroll through the city, a train station, or any public space, the things that truly catch my eye aren’t the polished outfits, the woman carrying a designer handbag, or the man wearing a luxury watch. What captures my attention are the people sprinting across streets, the chaos of traffic, the overcrowded stations, and trains packed to the brim. Everyone looks so tense. Everyone seems to be in a rush. One day, I caught up with an old friend. She now holds a high position at an event company, drives a luxury car, and just purchased in a spacious apartment. From the outside, she appeared to have it all—success in both love and life. We chatted, and everything seemed light-hearted until she said something that stayed with me: “I have everything money can buy… but I can’t buy happiness.” Then, she smiled faintly.

Sitting in the car, I watched her drive off in her Porsche, tears glistening in her eyes. I couldn’t help but wonder—has happiness become a rare commodity in today’s society? Or have we made it more difficult to reach?

As human beings, we all long for happiness. We chase what brings us joy and peace. Yet, when the stress of work outweighs our sense of well-being, both our physical and mental health begin to suffer. We lose sight of our goals—and, more importantly, our true selves. The digital age has undeniably shaped our lives, molding us into machine-like beings caught in an endless cycle of labor and expenses. Our time is constantly consumed, and once it's gone, we can't reclaim it. This feeling of being stuck often leads to regret and hopelessness. The idea that “life is stressful” has become a constant presence in our minds. I do not remember from when, my mornings start with a flood of anxious thoughts: What should I do after work? How can I complete all my tasks? How many meetings do I have? How many bills that need to be paid? When can I rest?

At the end of each day, I come home drained—mentally and emotionally. My temper flares easily, damaging relationships I deeply care about. I worked relentlessly, telling myself I’d enjoy a happy life “later.” But after two years of reaching my goals and attaining the lifestyle I thought I wanted, I realized that I had lost something far more precious: my peace of mind. My path had veered off course. I wasn’t chasing happiness—I was chasing material success that satisfied my lifestyle but left my soul empty. 

That memory of my friend crying in her Porsche became a mirror. She couldn’t let go of her wealth for the sake of personal peace. And that realization struck me deeply—how easily any of us can fall into the same trap, thinking we’re pursuing happiness, when in reality, we’re chasing something entirely different.

After that moment, I decided to rebuild. I scaled back my working hours little by little. Just one or two fewer hours per week gave me more room to breathe. I returned to painting—it brought me peace. I learned to cook rather than eating out, and I spent more time with friends and loved ones. My life slowly grew brighter. I smiled more, and this time, I understood the meaning of a smile. It felt like healing. As joy returned, even my daily tasks became easier. I let go of toxic connections and surrounded myself with those who truly cared. What I want to emphasize is simple: happiness matters. It doesn’t come from luxury goods—it comes from within. It lives in your mind, in your heart, and it grows stronger when you nurture it. If you want happiness and peace, take a minute every day and ask yourself what you truly need and which parts of you require healing. When you understand yourself, you gain clarity, and with clarity comes confidence—confidence in who you are and what you are capable of.

That power belongs to you, in any setting, whether in relationships or careers. Life becomes more meaningful when you embrace it. While society may try to place us in boxes, we have the ability to break free.

You’ll realize that life holds more value than you imagined—and that happiness, even in its simplest form, doesn’t come from possessions, but from how you feel at the end of the day. Believe me, when you begin to love yourself, the world reflects that love back to you. The stress won’t vanish completely, but it will become easier to manage. No matter how tough your ambitions may be, they become achievable when your happiness is at the center.