Am I a big fan of the "Inside Out" movies? You bet I am! I've watched both more times than I care to admit, and yes, I’m 43 and still a child inside. The second one? Oh boy, it made me cry. And when I say cry, I don’t mean those subtle sniffs. I mean full-on Niagara Falls. It perfectly depicted anxiety – what I go through every time anxiety decides to rear its ugly head or, let’s be honest, make itself at home for a day or two. But as I was drowning in my own tears, I found myself pondering sadness.

Sadness seems to be the new captain of the control panel in our brains as we grow older. What’s up with that? Is it our friend, our enemy, or just that uninvited guest who crashes on your couch and refuses to leave? Do we appreciate it or hate it? Should we accept it or should we just boot it out the door?

We live in a world where we’re constantly bombarded by videos, reels, articles – you name it (cue sarcastic eye roll) – on how to be happy. How happiness is inside us, how happiness is the ultimate goal. I mean, come on, give me a break! I’ve tried every method out there – meditation, yoga, journaling, you name it. Yet here I am, still trying to figure out what to do with this persistent sadness.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that keeping a gratitude journal or journaling isn’t beneficial. Or that meditation doesn’t help. I’ve been meditating for more than two weeks now, and I can definitely say I am calmer. Happier? Nope. Less sad? Not really. But hey, at least I’m calm while wallowing in my misery. So, what about sadness? Why is it always knocking at our door like an annoying neighbor who wants to borrow sugar but never leaves? And what on earth are we supposed to do with it?

Should I send it a formal eviction notice? Maybe throw it a going-away party? Or perhaps write it a heartfelt thank you card for all the life lessons? The jury’s still out on that one.

If I learned anything from "Inside Out," it's that sadness, while often a nuisance, comes with its own set of “benefits.” Yes, you heard me right. Apparently, sadness has its perks. Who knew, right? First off, sadness is supposed to make us more empathetic. Because nothing says "I understand your pain" quite like having a mini breakdown while listening to someone else's problems.

Sadness also supposedly helps us appreciate the good times more. Like, oh wow, I stubbed my toe but at least I’m not crying over my ex today. Thanks, sadness, for giving me such a wonderful perspective on life.

And let's not forget the creativity boost. They say some of the best art comes from a place of deep sadness. So, basically, my next masterpiece should be just around the corner. Maybe I should start a collection of tear-stained poetry or paint my feelings in fifty shades of blue.

But seriously, while it’s nice to know that sadness isn’t just here to ruin our lives, it doesn’t make dealing with it any easier.  

So what made me talk about sadness today? Honestly, it was seeing all those TikTok gurus, influencers, or whatever you want to call them, flooding my feed with their perfect lives and relentless happiness tips. You know the ones: "Just smile more!" "Happiness is a choice!" Oh, really? If happiness were a choice, don’t you think we’d all be walking around grinning like Cheshire cats by now?

These self-proclaimed happiness experts act like they’ve discovered the secret sauce to eternal joy, making the rest of us feel like we’re doing something wrong. As if we’ve committed some cardinal sin by not knowing how to tap into this elusive well of happiness. It's as if not being perpetually happy is a personal failure.

We, the receivers of this endless stream of “positivity,” end up feeling pressured, like there's something inherently flawed in us for experiencing sadness or anxiety. Social media has become this giant billboard, flashing neon signs that scream, "You're not happy enough!" Every time we scroll, it's another reminder that we’re somehow falling short.

The pressure to conform to these unrealistic standards of constant happiness is exhausting. It’s like we’re in this unspoken competition of who can appear the happiest, with influencers leading the charge, brandishing their curated lives and faux positivity like badges of honor. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left feeling inadequate, wondering why we can’t seem to measure up.

Think about it: if happiness could be bottled up in a 30-second TikTok or an inspirational Instagram quote, we’d all be blissed out 24/7. But instead, we’re juggling work, family, bills, health issues, and about a million other things that don’t fit neatly into a hashtag. Life is a chaotic blend of highs and lows, successes and failures, laughter and tears. It's not a perfectly filtered snapshot, but a constantly evolving story with plot twists we never see coming.

Yet, here we are, scrolling through social media, bombarded by images of flawless lives and endless positivity. It’s as if everyone else has cracked the code to eternal happiness, while we’re left feeling like we missed the memo. This constant barrage of “perfect” lives creates unrealistic expectations and makes us feel inadequate for experiencing perfectly normal emotions like sadness, frustration, or anxiety.

The truth is, no one’s life is as perfect as it appears on social media. Behind every smiling selfie, there are struggles and challenges that aren’t being broadcast. Happiness isn’t a permanent state of being—it’s a fleeting emotion that comes and goes, just like sadness. And that’s perfectly normal.

Let’s cut ourselves some slack. It’s okay to not be okay all the time. Seriously, it’s fine to have days where you feel like a human version of a broken Wi-Fi connection—frustrated, lost, and on the verge of tears. It’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused. It’s okay to have days where everything feels like it’s falling apart faster than a cheap IKEA bookshelf. Because that’s what makes us human.

Instead of just chasing the highs, let’s appreciate the emotional variety life throws at us. After all, without the lows, how would we even recognize the highs? It’s like eating only dessert every day—you’d eventually start craving broccoli (okay, maybe not broccoli, but you get the point). Embracing our sadness, anger, and confusion allows us to live a more authentic and fulfilling life, complete with all the rich, messy experiences that come with it.

So, next time you’re feeling down, don’t beat yourself up. Maybe treat yourself to a ridiculous rom-com and a tub of ice cream. Allow yourself to be human. Because it’s in those moments of vulnerability that we find our true strength. And who knows? You might even discover that your glitter-like sadness has a few hidden gems of wisdom.

So here’s to making peace with our sadness, navigating the emotional obstacle course, and maybe even finding a little humor in the glittery mess along the way. After all, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Today’s Wisdom:

Today’s wisdom is long, but it’s a quote from Osho that fits perfectly here: 

"Sadness gives depth. Happiness gives height. Sadness gives roots. Happiness gives branches. Happiness is like a tree going into the sky, and sadness is like the roots going down into the womb of the earth. Both are needed, and the higher a tree goes, the deeper it goes, simultaneously. The bigger the tree, the bigger its roots. In fact, it is always in proportion. That's its balance." — Osho

This quote beautifully encapsulates the idea that both sadness and happiness are essential parts of our lives. They balance each other, creating a complete and grounded human experience. Just as a tree needs both roots and branches to thrive, we need to embrace our full range of emotions to grow and live authentically.

Remember, keep whispering your truth—because your story, with all its highs and lows, is what makes you uniquely you.