A Secret Recipe to Happiness

Human beings despite of being social animals, that cannot live in isolation, tend to hide their feelings, emotions, stress and worries every single day. All these emotions when build up from not being shared with others, grow into an enormous ocean of sadness within an individual. Now, do we expect such an individual to be happy on the inner side? Definitely not, isn't it?

I bring to you this blog post which is completely based on my personal observation of multiple dimensions in order to bring forward this recipe to happiness.

In my study of Literature, I came across a bunch of writers who would vent out their past experiences, feelings, anxieties and worries through writing. We call them Confessional writers. I was decently convinced that if a person writes down their feelings they instantly or gradually feel better. It made even more sense after reading Aristotle's Poetics in which he talks about Catharsis, a term coined by Aristotle himself.

 Aristotle describes Catharsis as, "purging of the emotions of pity and fear that are aroused in the viewer of a tragedy." Seeing it through a modern lens, this stands relevant even today, as when we watch a tragic scene in a movie, the scene immediately arouses within us similar emotions and as a response to this, we release emotions of pity, sadness and fear through witnessing art.  Aristotle also claims that this emotional release would lead to internal restoration and renewal.

The concept laid engraved in my heart ever since. I realised this 'purgation' of emotions and feelings was so necessary. We often ignore and try to suppress these feelings within ourselves without realising the fact that this very suppression of feelings is what acts as a barrier to happiness. We let these emotions to tear us, break us, weigh us down on the inner side without even trying to find a vent. 

Human emotions are complex in nature, these emotions influence the way we feel in a moment - happy, sad, angry, fearful, surprised, disgusted etc. How many times in our lives do we genuinely pay attention to these emotions? 

The modern gurus preach us to let go of our emotions in order to attain happiness. But, have you ever wondered about a sure way to let go of these ingrained emotions? 

The easiest way to let go of our emotions is by simply acknowledging them without any suppression and if needed, share these emotions and feelings with someone you trust, so that you can finally let them go and stop these emotions from bothering you. 

When I talk about sharing these emotions with the ones you trust is exactly where 'Catharsis' which involves 'purgation of emotions' comes into play.

This is the secret recipe to actualizing this concept of letting go of our emotions in order to attain happiness.These feelings and emotions that lay deep within must be purged out in order to reach a state of happiness. Catharsis makes you do just that. 

Now, let me lay down a few ways to perform Catharsis of emotions - 

1. Sharing thoughts and feelings with someone else can lead to a cathartic release of emotions.

2. Collective sharing of emotions where people share similar responses and can relate with each other is also a great way.

3. Confessional writing can be an incredible tool for catharsis. 

4.Reading a book with a similar storyline & thoughts can help.

5. Listening to music that has a similar feel can be a source of cathartic release of emotions. 

The emotional release will not only make you feel happy but will also allow you to experience fresh emotions. It is also perceived to be therapeutic for affected individuals as it brings back a renewed interest in life. 

Everybody on this planet deserves a happy life. It is time we human beings take notes from this ancient recipe and act upon actualising it into our lives. This shall make our lives more content and even more joyous.