Happiness always seemed like a treasure hunt with no treasure at the end for me. No matter how many steps I took, it always seemed a step too far. Until I discovered these brutal truths about life.

Uncovering these truths wasn’t a walk in the park. It was more like stepping barefoot on Lego pieces. But boy, did it make all the difference!

These truths are nothing short of transformational. They are like the magic decoder ring to understanding what life is all about. And guess what? They’ve brought me closer to happiness than I’ve ever been before.

In this article, I’m going to share these 7 brutal truths about life with you. Not because I want to bring you down, but because I believe they can help lift you up, just like they did for me.

1) Life isn’t fair

Grab your tissues, because this first truth can be a real tearjerker. Life, as it turns out, isn’t fair. Shocking, right? For the longest time, I believed that if I played by the rules, worked hard, and was a good person, everything would fall into place.

But here’s the cold, hard truth – life doesn’t always reciprocate with fairness. Sometimes, despite putting in your best efforts and intentions, things just don’t work out the way you’d like them to. It’s like playing a game of Monopoly where someone else always lands on free parking.

This realization can be a real punch in the gut. But once I embraced this brutal truth, it made me stronger. It helped me understand that it’s okay not to have all the answers or outcomes I want. It’s okay to experience failure and disappointment.

Now, don’t get it twisted. This isn’t about becoming a cynic or losing hope. It’s about understanding that life throws curveballs and it’s up to us to decide how we respond.

Embracing the unfairness of life has brought me closer to happiness by freeing me from unrealistic expectations. So next time life seems unfair, remember it’s not just you – it’s just life! Let’s move onto the next brutal truth.

2) Happiness is not a destination

This might sound odd, but hear me out. We often treat happiness like it’s a destination at the end of a long journey. We set goals, believing that achieving them will bring us the happiness we seek – a perfect job, the ideal partner, financial stability… you name it.

But here’s the twist – happiness isn’t at the end of the road. It’s not something that magically appears once we’ve ticked all the boxes.

In fact, treating happiness like a destination can actually move it further away from us. Why? Because we’re always looking ahead, chasing the next big thing instead of focusing on the present moment.

The truth is, happiness is found in the journey itself. It’s in savoring that morning cup of coffee, in the laughter shared with friends, in the simple act of appreciating what we have right now.

Once I started looking at happiness as something to be experienced along the way rather than a prize to be won, I found it was closer than I thought. So don’t wait for tomorrow to be happy. Start right now! Let’s dive into another truth that might stir up some emotions.

3) Relationships won’t complete you

This is a tough one to swallow, especially for those of us who have grown up believing in fairy tales and romantic comedies. We’re often led to believe that a significant other will ‘complete’ us, fill all our voids and make us whole.

Well, here’s a newsflash – that’s a myth. Relationships are not about finding someone to complete you, but about finding someone to share your completeness with. You are already a whole, complete individual.

This realization hit me hard during my journey of self-discovery and healing, which I talk about in my book “Breaking The Attachment: How To Overcome Codependency in Your Relationship”. It’s a journey of breaking free from the idea that we need someone else to make us happy.

Acknowledging that you alone are enough can be liberating. It can shift your perspective on relationships and lead you toward healthier, more fulfilling connections. So instead of looking for someone to complete you, focus on loving and accepting yourself first. Because happiness starts from within. On that note, let’s move on to the next brutal truth.

4) You can’t control everything

If you’re anything like me, you might have a slight control freak streak. Trust me, I get it. The idea of letting go and surrendering control can feel downright terrifying.

But here’s what I’ve learned – trying to control everything is like trying to hold water in your hands. No matter how tightly you squeeze, it always slips through your fingers.

The great philosopher Lao Tzu once said, “Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.”

These words hit home for me. Once I started letting go of my need to control, a weight lifted off my shoulders. I found more peace, more freedom, and yes – more happiness.

5) Failure is a part of growth

This one stung, I won’t lie to you. Who loves to fail? Not me, that’s for sure. When I would stumble, I’d often see it as a reflection of my worth. But boy, how wrong I was.

Here’s the reality – failure is not the opposite of success. It’s a part of it! Every misstep, every setback is an opportunity to learn and grow.

I remember one instance when a project I had passionately worked on for months didn’t take off as planned. I felt deflated and defeated. But instead of wallowing in self-pity, I took it as a learning experience. What could I have done differently? What did this failure teach me?

Embracing failure as a part of the journey towards success made me more resilient and optimistic. It helped me understand that even if things don’t go according to plan, they can still lead us to where we need to be.

So don’t be afraid to fail. It’s a stepping stone on your path to growth and ultimately, happiness. Let’s venture onto the next brutal truth, shall we?

6) You can’t please everyone

As someone who used to be a chronic people-pleaser, this truth was a hard pill to swallow. I spent countless hours trying to keep everyone around me happy, often at the expense of my own happiness.

But here’s what I’ve learned – no matter how hard you try, you simply can’t please everyone. As the wise philosopher Bill Cosby once said, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”

This revelation was a game-changer for me. I realized that it’s essential to make decisions based on what makes me happy, not what will satisfy others.

Once I started prioritizing my happiness over people-pleasing, I felt more authentic and at peace with myself. And guess what? The right people, the ones who truly cared about me, stuck around.

So remember, it’s okay to put yourself first. You’re not responsible for everyone else’s happiness.

If you’re enjoying these insights and want more of them delivered straight to your feed, feel free to follow me on Facebook. Now let’s move onto our final brutal truth… buckle up!

7) Pain is inevitable

There’s no sugarcoating this one. Pain is a part of life. It’s the raw, unfiltered truth. We all face hardship and heartbreak at some point. It’s not a question of if, but when.

Believe me, I’ve had my share of pain. I’ve faced losses and disappointments that have knocked the wind out of me. But here’s what I’ve learned – it’s not the pain that defines us, but how we respond to it.

Pain can either break us or make us stronger. It can either consume us or become a catalyst for growth and transformation. The choice is ours to make.

Embracing this truth was a pivotal moment in my journey towards happiness. It helped me understand that it’s okay to hurt, it’s okay to grieve, and it’s okay to not be okay sometimes.

Remember, it’s through our struggles that we find strength and resilience. It’s through our pain that we learn empathy and compassion. So don’t shy away from pain; instead, let it shape you into a stronger, more resilient person.

And with that, we’ve uncovered all seven brutal truths about life – truths that have brought me closer to happiness than I’ve ever been before. I hope they do the same for you.

Final thoughts

Embarking on a journey of self-discovery and understanding life’s brutal truths isn’t always a walk in the park. It’s more like a roller-coaster ride filled with peaks of enlightenment and valleys of introspection. But in the end, it’s these very truths that bring us closer to our authentic selves and to happiness.

Understandably, these truths might be new, raw, and even somewhat scary to some of you. But remember, it’s okay to feel uncomfortable. Uncomfortability often signifies growth and transformation. So embrace it, internalize it, and let it guide you towards understanding yourself better.

Before you go, I want to share with you something that I believe ties in beautifully with the subjects we’ve been discussing. Please take a moment to watch this insightful video by Justin Brown where he explains “the illusion of happiness” and why chasing it can make you miserable. His perspective on happiness aligns closely with the brutal truths we’ve uncovered here.

Remember, happiness isn’t about the destination; it’s about the journey. It’s about finding contentment within ourselves, fostering meaningful relationships, and embracing life’s challenges.

As you navigate this beautiful journey called life, hold these truths close to your heart. Let them be your guide when things get tough. And who knows? You might just find that elusive happiness was within your reach all along.