Unhappiness and what to do about it

Most modern, first world unhappiness is caused by an unreasonable attachment to things going our way.

We know intellectually that not everyone will agree with or even like us.  We know more “stuff” will not make us happier.  And we’ve been told since childhood that life’s not always fair.  As always, knowing is never enough.

You’re not unhappy because there’s heavy traffic.  You’re unhappy because you think there shouldn’t be.  Or there shouldn’t be today.  Or on this road.  Or for you.

Ridding yourself of most unhappiness starts with acknowledging how unreasonable it is to expect things will always go your way and just being at peace with what’s actually happening.