Are you afraid of being happy?
Also known as “cherophobia” can be a fascinating and complex topic. Although it doesn’t mean you have to have the phobia to fear such a thing as happiness, it can originate from various psychological and emotional factors, such as past trauma, guilt, fear of loss or even societal conditioning that equates happiness with complacency or impending misfortune. Some people might sabotage their own joy simply because they believe they don’t deserve it or because they associate happiness with instability. Did you have moments where joy was followed by disappointment? Were you ever made to feel guilty for being happy? When you think about happiness, what emotions come up first?
In my personal opinion I think that happiness is often thought of being a simple emotion, universally desirable. But when really examined it can be intricate, at it’s core, happiness is an emotional state of fulfillment and well-being. However, its nature goes beyond that. It can be influenced by internal beliefs, past experiences and fears. I’ll break down my thought process for you…
The layers of happiness:
1.) Sensory Happiness- The most immediate form of happiness. It’s the rush of pleasure from something like good food or your favorite song. The warm felling from the sun on your skin or the comfort of a soft blanket. It is purely physical, rooted in sensory feelings.
2.)Emotional Happiness- Arises from connection, love, laughter, and moments of gratitude. It’s a sense you feel when embraced by someone you trust or the quiet peace of watching a sunset.
The emotional texture of happiness:
1.) Bittersweet happiness- The happiness that carries a sense of nostalgia or loss, like reminiscing a beautiful past that can never return.
2.) Vulnerable happiness- The happiness that feels fragile , as if it could be taken away at any moment. This is often what leads to the fear of happiness.
3.) Earned happiness- The deep, fulfilling happiness that comes from struggle or overcoming hardship. It has depth because it wasn’t given, it was built.
How happiness feels physically and mentally:
1.) Physically- A floating feeling in the chest, a warmth spreading through your body, a state of relaxation, an urge to smile more.
2.) Mentally- A sense of clarity, gratitude. But for some, happiness can be a trigger , as if it is something unfamiliar or unsafe.
Being afraid of happiness doesn’t have to actually be scary. If you are unhappy, pursue something that makes you happy. Even if that is a something or a someone. Just go for it!
