Forecasting your misery might sound bleak, but it’s actually a strategy to live a happier life. Let me explain. If you can predict the tough times, you’ll be more prepared to handle them, and that’s invaluable. For instance, imagine just starting out in a new city with a fresh job. You’re buzzing with excitement and positivity, thinking the sun will never set on your parade. But life tends to throw curveballs.
Take a few friends of mine: one’s navigating a tough divorce, another was only 44 when cancer took her life, and yet another had to mortgage his home a second time to save his business. Life is definitely not a smooth ride.
I remember my own stint in New York City at 22—early mornings and late nights at work made life seem pretty grim. Knowing this early on, I hustled to carve a different path, aiming to dodge that bullet of misery. And here’s the kicker: understanding the potential lows in life actually paves the way to a happier existence.
Here’s what often goes wrong when we ignore the possibility of future hardships:
1) Finances get neglected. You think you’ll always love your job and keep climbing the ladder. But one day, the passion fades, maybe you clash with a new boss, or technology shakes up your industry. Before you know it, the job you loved is a source of frustration.
2) Health takes a backseat. We’re terrible at predicting health downturns. With a majority of us overweight or battling obesity, heart disease has become the leading cause of death. If we monitored our diets like we do our finances, maybe we’d dodge the health bullets better.
3) Social skills stagnate. When life feels good, you might not bother building a solid network. But when a crisis hits—like losing a job or needing a favor—without strong connections, you’re really up the creek.
4) Frustration with life escalates. We’re quick to forget that whatever we’re going through, others have faced similar challenges. Whether it’s starting a business or managing relationships, there’s wisdom out there that can help us avoid common pitfalls.
Recognizing and planning for potential miseries not only equips us to handle life’s downswings better but also enriches our journey. By staying realistic about the challenges and proactively managing our future, we not only mitigate suffering but can actually carve out a path to a happier, more fulfilling life.
