"S'oublier c'est être heureux"

The core idea here is simple: happiness comes when you stop obsessing over yourself. It's about losing yourself in something bigger, something outside of your own head. When you’re not constantly thinking about your own needs, anxieties, and desires, you can truly experience joy.

Historically, this idea isn’t new. Think about ancient philosophies like Buddhism, which teaches that attachment to self is a source of suffering. Zen masters often speak of "ego death" as a path to enlightenment. Even in Christianity, there's a notion of finding peace and happiness through selflessness and serving others. This concept has been around for ages because it taps into a fundamental truth about human nature.

Let’s make it concrete with a real-life example. Imagine Sarah, a nurse working long hours during the pandemic. She’s exhausted, stressed, and missing her family. But every day, she shows up to work, puts on her PPE, and cares for her patients. She’s not thinking about how tired she is or what she’s missing. She’s focused on helping others heal. Despite the chaos, she finds a deep sense of fulfillment and even happiness in her work. By forgetting herself and focusing on her patients, she finds a profound contentment that she wouldn’t have found otherwise.

So, how do you apply this in your own life? Start small. Volunteer for a cause you care about. When you’re spending time with friends or family, really be present—put your phone away and listen. Find a hobby that absorbs you completely, where you lose track of time. These activities pull you out of your head and connect you with the world around you.

Picture this: You’re at a family dinner. The table is crowded, the room filled with chatter and laughter. Instead of thinking about the work emails piling up or that thing you said last week you’re still cringing over, you dive into the moment. You help your grandma serve the mashed potatoes, you listen to your cousin’s story about their new job, and you laugh at your dad’s corny jokes. For a couple of hours, you’re not the center of your own universe. You’re just there, part of something bigger. And you realize—it feels good. Really good.

Think about how much time we spend wrapped up in our own thoughts. We worry about our image, our future, our past. But when we step outside of ourselves, even if just for a bit, we unlock a door to happiness. It’s like being out in nature—standing on a mountain or by the ocean. You feel small in the face of something vast and beautiful. That smallness doesn’t diminish you; it frees you. You’re part of something grand, something that doesn’t revolve around you.

So next time you’re feeling down or overwhelmed, try turning your focus outward. Engage with the world without the constant self-commentary running in your mind. It might seem counterintuitive, but this shift—forgetting yourself—can lead you to the happiness you’re seeking.