How to be happy: 'You don't have to be anyone'

The top image is a 'Scotch broom'.
Its flower language is 'self-deprecation'.

Even when told 'don't belittle yourself,' it is a sad human trait to end up comparing oneself to others.

'That person is amazing.'
'Compared to them, I am... (followed by a solo self-reflection session).'
Sometimes, we make ourselves feel small like that.
But deep down, there might be an underlying impatience to 'become someone'.

This time, I will think about such self-deprecation and happiness.

'I want to be someone.'
Surely, many people have thought this at least once.

I want to get a promotion.
I want to be famous.
I want to publish a book.
I want to be rich.
I want to be recognized by someone.

That feeling itself is very natural.
However, before we know it, that thought can lead to a slight misunderstanding.
'I am inferior to others because I am not someone.'

If you open social media, the world is full of 'amazing people'.
Every time I see such people, I feel a sense of defeat, thinking 'I am nothing'.

But, if you think about it calmly,
we have been 'no one' since we were born.
A baby's resume is blank. Their only title is 'professional at crying and sleeping'.
Even so, their family hugs them with a smile, saying 'You are perfect just the way you are!'

In reality, a person's value should exist far beyond any title.

I am a very ordinary office worker.
When work is done, I play with my children, grow vegetables in my home garden, and just think about happiness on note.
There are many more amazing people in the world.
But that doesn't mean my life is inferior.

I like to grow.
I like to learn new things.
I also want to take on challenges.

But that is not to 'become someone'.
It is because I want to live a life that is just a little richer than yesterday's self.

Becoming someone is not the purpose of life.
If, as a result, you are recognized by someone or receive honors, you should just accept them gratefully.
But even without that, your value does not change at all.

We do not need to make ourselves look bigger.
At the same time, we do not need to underestimate ourselves.
There is no need to overestimate or underestimate yourself.
Being your true self is enough.

Rather than becoming someone, live your life as an individual, carefully and at your own pace, today as well.

The accumulation of that might, as a result, lead to a day where you become 'someone' to someone else.
But that is not the goal; it is a gift that follows later.

Happiness is not something you get by 'becoming someone'.
I believe it is something that grows within 'the today where you were yourself'.

Books that influenced me in writing this article

'Lion's Snack' / Ito Ogawa

A novel depicting the end of life.
The protagonist, facing death, does not think 'I wish I had become more famous'.
They reflect on the people who were important to them and their daily life.
'Becoming someone' and 'being happy' are different.
It was a work that quietly taught me that.
I highly recommend it.

I have also summarized other flowers of 'how to be happy'
at the link below.
Please take as much as you need 🍀

Thank you for reading until the end.
I hope to see you in another article.
🍀 May you be happy 🍀