A lot of your own unhappiness is driven by your self image, and what you do to preserve it.

Realize that you have this self image of yourself, how you see yourself in your mind's eye when you think of yourself, honest or dependable, capable or not, quiet or funny or whatever it.

That image is what you are trying to live up to, and that image is also what allows society to hold you hostage because if you're not living up to your self image, that's a leash around your neck.