Why Do People Fear Admitting They Are Happy?

Kelly McGonigal says people fear admitting they are happy because they believe the universe will punish them. The universe is not going to snatch away love, success, or a healthy body as a gotcha for feeling grateful. Impermanence is real, and the voice expecting punishment is a shadow voice.

Old warnings already circle the same fear, including flying too close to the sun and Midas. While she was writing her book, her father and one of her pets died. Both play special roles in the book as favorite memories and the things she loves most. She thought someone would say she had admitted too much about how much she cares. Being willing to talk about joy meant getting to know the shadow voices. Another voice asks who you are to talk about joy when chaos, conflict, and crisis fill the world.