Are we actually happy, or simply envious of the new car the neighbor got?

Let's be honest: satisfaction is a fairy tale, like a unicorn or the perfect Wi-Fi connection that does not drop when you desperately need it to work properly for an important video call. We say we are happy, but then someone else announces his promotion, engagement, or amazing vacation on Instagram, and that is when our happiness turns into a house of cards blown away by a gust of wind.

Imagine this: sitting on the couch with instant noodles; life feels so peaceful and light until you take a glimpse at your social media, and before you know it, the guy who cannot distinguish left from right is now taking a photo next to a new SUV, flashing smiles as though he fixed everything in this world. Here, you try to find another week use for your shampoo bottle.

"Oh, I'm not jealous," you think, staring at their photo for the fifth time. Sure, you are not searching for "average salary for SUV owners" while saying, "They must be in debt. Right?" That is the trick of jealousy: we don't want others to be happy, it's just that their happiness makes us feel like we are missing something.

We wear our happy masks, right? You know the one-it's the same mask you put on when someone asks how life is going and you say great, even though your laundry is piling up. Well, here's the twist: everybody else is doing the same thing. The neighbor you admire for a nice lawn? They probably borrowed their cousin's mower because theirs broke down during the week.

The truth is, the thing is fleeting. It's like a friend who comes over and cancels everything at the last minute. There when you are not, and gone just when you really begin to have fun with the thing. We continue on in search of it in the next gadget, the next promotion, or, heaven help us, if we're dreaming big, that perfect crispy dosa. Spoiler alert: there is no such thing.

Just when you are getting better about your life, jealousy knocks like an uninvited guest. It reminds you of all the nice things that people have. You see your friend flaunting his 15th trip to the Maldives, and you get the feeling that a Sunday walk to the local Mall was just a bad joke. You might laugh, but you are too busy acting like you don't care while thinking about how much they spent on that trip (and if their credit card is really stressed out).

The cycle of unhappiness and jealousy never stops, but why does it affect us so much? Inside, we mix up their best moments with our everyday struggles. Social media has changed life into a constant race to see who can seem the happiest, even if their "perfect moment" is surrounded by bills that they can't pay and pasta that's burnt.

So, when does this nonsense end? It doesn't. But here's the funny part—it doesn't have to. Being happy isn't about getting rid of jealousy or pretending everything is perfect. It's about finding humor in the silliness of it all. Your friend's pictures from the Maldives? Congratulations… and then secretly wish they forgot sunscreen. The shiny new SUV? Compliment it with a little smile and think about how much trouble they might have finding parking.

Life is short, so don't waste time trying to be perfect or feeling jealous. It’s fine to say you’re happy with your old coffee mug and slightly burnt toast. Real happiness isn’t noisy or fancy—it’s in the small things, like that first sip of cold milk (yes, it's better than chai) or the joy of discovering your favorite movie is on TV.

Remember the next time someone flips through what appears perfect in their life online- they're hiding themselves also. If their lives are better than yours look, still just hiding. Smile, enjoy those noodles, and celebrate for perfect imperfection. Fulfillment needs to be found out for but humor? A distance that's never very far away from anyone anytime again.

Thanks for riding the roller coaster of happiness, jealousy, and sometimes laughing at how strange life can be with me! Feel free to scroll, smile, or wonder how to outdo your neighbour's new SUV. I hear your story!

Follow me on Instagram for updates on my blog, and feel free to slide into my DMs to share your tales of masked happiness, quirky jealousy, or even just your favorite flavor of instant noodles. Who knows—your story might very well inspire my next blog post (with full credits, naturally!). Let’s laugh, connect, and remind each other that we’re all navigating this journey one noodle at a time.