When privileged people tell you how to be happy

How do you live a happy life? it’s something that we all ask ourselves a lot. I think if you ask yourself this question too much you can miss out on happy moments. According to privileged people, all we have to do is change our mindset and we can live the life that we want.

I am proof that this is and isn’t true. It is true but there is a lot of context missing. Yes, a change of mindset can change your life, but it doesn’t stop obstacles from getting in your way.

A changed mindset doesn’t stop POC from getting denied jobs due to being POC. We can change ourselves, but that doesn’t mean shit in some situations. We can change how we look at the problem, but we may have to go a different and more difficult path.

I was forced into starting my own business as I wanted to earn more than 25k. Ironically after I started writing this I had a job interview and I am now on 35k. It’s only temp but still.

Privileged people can adjust their lives on the fly and not have to suffer many consequences, I’ve seen it done. But we’re not all capable of that, some people will ruin everything if they make 1 wrong move as their life is on a knife edge.

The best lesson I’ve learned in recent years is to stop trying to move like a middle-class white person, their lives are just different. You can learn from them but don’t try and be them or take all their advice literally.