Pressure to be better causes stress

The push to become the best version of oneself has created new stress for many people, as the pursuit of happiness now feels like another task to complete rather than a natural state.

Harvard study highlights relationships

A long-term Harvard study on happiness found that strong relationships are vital for well-being, but this can also create guilt when people feel they aren't maintaining those connections enough.

Social media shapes happiness trends

Social media promotes the idea that happiness comes from specific habits like sleeping eight hours, exercising, and meditating, which can make people feel they are failing if they don’t follow these routines.

Psychiatrist warns against over-pathologizing

Psychiatrist Sarah Smadja cautions against labeling every tough moment as a mental health issue, emphasizing that feeling bad on some days is normal and doesn’t always mean there’s a problem.

Book challenges the idea of a perfect self

Claire Petin’s book The best version of you does not exist! argues that the belief in a perfect self is unrealistic and can lead to exhaustion and guilt when people don’t feel better despite their efforts.

Accepting imperfection is important

The conversation also includes the idea that it’s okay to feel jealous, sensitive, or contradictory, and that some experiences are simply painful without leading to growth, highlighting the need to accept imperfection and not always strive for progress.