So what even is artificial happiness?

Artificial happiness is described as a sense of fulfillment through alcohol, drugs, or even impulse buying and retail therapy. The artificial part comes from depending on a material for happiness rather than finding it organically.

Many young adults experiment with artificial happiness mainly through drugs or alcohol. Subconsciously or not, they feel drinking and drugs will heighten their experiences and raise their mood. For many, these substances act as a relaxer in social settings and in extreme cases, act as a way of disillusioning oneself.

Most everyone experiences a feeling of emptiness in their lives. Even those who appear happy, or may genuinely be happy in that moment, may be experiencing an emotional void that causes a sense of emptiness. They result from a range of things, from a stressful situation to a traumatic event. In the young adult years, many people go through phases of emotional imbalance and don’t always know how to handle the stress it can cause.

When we experience emptiness, we subconsciously try to fill it. Artificial happiness acts as a filler. But this tactic is only a temporary fix.

When we drink or use drugs, it may make us feel good for a while, enough to give us the courage to break out of our shell, to stop worrying or forget about failing that final, or to raise our mood when we are depressed or anxious. But what happens when we are sober again? We remember that we rely on substances just to be social, that we still failed that final, and our depression and anxiety come creeping back in, thus causing us to want to repeat the process again. This begins the vicious and addicting cycle drugs can have on us. Our brain begins to tell us that we need these things to get by. We begin to feel that substances are the only way to feel content and are the only way to fill the constant void.

Those who experience extreme retail therapy as artificial happiness get pleasure from buying things, even if they are items that they don’t need or don’t actually have the money to buy. The more or the bigger, more luxurious the item or items that are bought, the more satisfaction that is given. But after the rush of buying that beautiful, expensive necklace or another brand name purse you didn’t need, what are you really gaining? Maybe a higher status, maybe a few compliments to raise your esteem, but really, all that’s gained is just stuff.

There are boundless ways to heal ourselves and give us natural happiness. First, you must figure out what kind of happiness you’re experiencing and when. Do I have to drink to make myself feel good? Do I have to use drugs to get through tough situations? Do I ever feel happy when I’m sober? Do I have to buy things to feel happy? If you realize the happiness you mostly experience is artificial, and you are wanting to change this, there are several ways to do so. No matter how you choose to do so, though, you must be WILLING to make some sacrifices and to try new experiences.

Here are a few ways to seek genuine happiness:

1. Give up your crutch

You must be willing to give up what you depend on. If you don’t give it up, you won’t be able to differentiate when you’re experiencing true happiness and artificial happiness while also running the risk of dependency again.

2. Find a hobby

Cooking, painting, writing, photography, running; there are endless possibilities! Find something you can be passionate about. It’s easy to find a hobby that you like, but you really have to search and experiment with different activities to find one you can put your all into.

3. Quality over quantity

Rather than surrounding yourself with people you may not know or may not be comfortable with, spend some quality time with close friends and family. Be with people whose presence gives you happiness and make you feel contented without all the extra.

4. Make goals

Create a list of places you want to travel, people you want to meet, and things you want to do. Having something to stick to and want to complete will help give guidance to finding pleasure in several ways.

5. Reflect

Write down any progress that you make, even if it’s something you think isn’t a huge achievement. Any progress is still progress! Write down what does and doesn’t work for you. If you revert back to artificial, write down what exactly caused it and how it can be fixed.

6. Get healthy

Many people find it easier to give up bad habits once they start focusing on their health. Exercise, eat healthy, learn to cook lean meals! Once you start giving your body so much good, it’s difficult to revert back to the bad.

7. Be patient

It won’t just happen overnight or after the first time you achieve natural happiness. You must be willing to work for it and give it time. Once you recognize and feel organic happiness, you’ll want to do what it takes to keep that feeling.

Use this period in your life to detox anything negative and seek the positive.

Find happiness in things that satisfy you for longer than a couple of hours and that fulfill more than just filling the emptiness. Find things that make you feel like you're overflowing with satisfaction and contentment.