Too often, we’re caught in a whirlwind of responsibilities and hardships, leading us to believe that happiness is a luxury we can’t afford. This mindset can make us feel guilty for seeking happiness or taking a moment for self-care.

But you shouldn’t feel guilty for being happy. Happiness isn’t just a fleeting pleasure; it’s your right.

With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the top reasons you deserve to be happy. Whether you’re grappling with self-doubt, feeling like you don’t deserve happiness, or need a reminder of your worth, this is for you.

Why Is It Important to Be Happy?

There’s nothing unusual about feeling sad. Sadness is a natural emotion for all human beings, and feeling it isn’t always bad.

Only when sadness becomes overwhelming or lasts too long is it problematic. If you find yourself starting to spiral downward, it’s crucial to find ways to feel happiness. If you entertain negativity, it will overstay its welcome.

man sitting on a bench with his head down

Unhappiness, if left unmanaged, can cause people to suffer. On the other hand, happiness leads people to live more productive, sociable, and fulfilled lives.

Happiness is important because it affects your well-being and everything you do. Happiness allows you to think more clearly, make better decisions, and be more resilient when things go wrong. When you’re happy, you’re more likely to see the positive side of things and have a better outlook on life.

Happy people also tend to choose kindness and radiate positivity, creating a ripple effect that uplifts others facing their own struggles.

Working towards feeling like you deserve to be happy is a big project. It’s a journey that requires effort, hard work, and determination.

For those struggling – you deserve to be happy, and putting in the effort is worth it!

You Deserve to Be Happy: Top Reasons

Your Value as a Person is Not Conditional

As a human being, your life is inherently precious. It doesn’t matter where you are in life, what you do, or what you believe. Simply being you adds a unique and irreplaceable spark to the world.

This may sound cliché, and you’ve probably heard it before, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Its ubiquity speaks to the statement’s worth. Every time someone says it, there’s a chance it’s heard by someone who needs to hear it.

Nowadays, there’s often an idea that to be worth something, you have to earn it. This mindset can cause severe and long-lasting damage to those who internalize it.

The issue here is that earning your value means different things to different people. Don’t be surprised if the goalposts keep shifting if you continuously try to earn your value. As a result, you likely will never reach a point of feeling valued.

Accept that you don’t need to earn your value. Take pride in the fact that you’re you! Your worth is not based on arbitrary goals. The simple act of being alive makes you valuable. Remember, achievements and accolades are add-ons, not the core of your worth. Your happiness starts with you – just as you are.

You Are Capable of Change, No Matter Your Circumstances

Often, people don’t feel happy because they lack self-worth. Their negative self-perceptions stem from various factors, including their environment, critical peers, and societal pressures.

No matter the circumstances shaping your self-image, you must challenge notions that you somehow fall short. You are good enough.

Though external and internal obstacles exist, you can transcend your current mindset and situation. Your circumstances do not define your entire existence or abilities. With determination, hard work, and resilience, you can make positive changes, bit by bit, to improve your life.

Reflect on the areas of your life you would like to change and set reasonable goals to work towards. Embrace the idea that a happy life is not just something you hope for; it’s something you can actively work towards. You just have to believe in yourself and your ability to grow.

If you need help developing this mindset, read The Optimist Creed. Its message of promise, hope, and personal power will help motivate you to pursue the changes you need to live a happier life.

You Deserve to Feel and Receive Love

Another common reason that people don’t feel like they deserve happiness is tied to love.

Your negative thoughts or past experiences can make you feel like you don’t deserve to be loved and happy. If your idea of love is distorted, it impacts how you express and experience love.

Everyone deserves love, no matter what they may have gone through. Just because a previous relationship didn’t work out doesn’t mean you should give up on love altogether. There are so many reasons a relationship may have failed that have nothing to do with you.

It can be difficult to believe that you deserve love and happiness when you’ve been hurt, so start with self-love. Consider integrating some powerful affirmations of self-love into your day. These will help you internalize the fact that you are valuable and lovable, no matter what. Once you accept this, it will become easier to open yourself up to love again.

Of note, love comes in many forms, not only romantic. Accepting and appreciating love from friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers can help break down the barriers that keep you from feeling loved.

So, take the steps necessary to cultivate relationships with people who support, encourage, and challenge you. Read how to keep in touch with friends and loved ones and put this knowledge into practice. With the right people in your corner, you’ll start to feel the love and happiness you deserve.

You Are Strong Despite Your Traumas, Not Because of Them

If you think your trauma made you who you are, think again. While traumatic events sometimes change the course of your life, they aren’t responsible for your growth. In every instance, you are.

Any lessons you learn after traumatic events result from you choosing to make meaning from suffering. Your trauma didn’t help you grow as an individual; you grew in defiance of your hardships and challenges. Don’t attribute your successes and triumphs to the negatives in your life.

Internalize and accept that you made those things happen. You persisted. You nurtured new roots from hardened ground. You allowed yourself to become who you needed to be in each moment. And from every setback, you emerged a little wiser and stronger.

You have an incredible capacity for resilience, transformation, and redemption – a capacity that makes you deeply deserving of happiness. For though trauma has shaped you, it has not defined you. You contain such strength and light within. May you now permit yourself to shine.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line is that everyone deserves to feel happy and fulfilled. You don’t need to feel guilty for wanting to be happy or believing you are worthy of happiness.

If you’re struggling with feeling like you don’t deserve to be happy, it’s okay. There’s no shame in admitting that you’re battling. If you think you need some more help, consider seeing a therapist. Therapy can delve into the root causes of your negative emotions, providing tools and strategies for understanding and managing them. If you can’t attend in-person sessions or prefer flexibility, online therapy can be an accessible and effective option.

Ultimately, you are in control of your own happiness. You just have to be willing to take the steps necessary to get there. So take a few deep breaths if necessary and start looking for ways to bring more joy into your life. Make time for yourself and do things that make you feel good. If you do, you’ll soon start to notice positive changes in your life and uncover more and more reasons you have to be happy.

If the idea of personal growth and a happier life inspires you, we invite you to dive deeper into these topics with the a little dose of happy blog. You’ll find a wealth of resources and insights to guide your journey here.