PERSONAL COLUMN – Is Singapore happy? Before looking into that question, I must first look at myself – am I happy to be living in Singapore?

 

First things first, I do not believe that happiness is measured by material wealth. When we die, wouldn’t we become a pile of ashes, making all of us equal? No one will remember you for being rich; for having two houses, a swimming pool, exquisite jewellery or an expensive car. I do not reckon that money can buy happiness.

 

This then leads to another thing, people choosing work over family. It is not just happening in Singapore but all over the world as well. People work to earn money and they earn money to buy things. It is a never-ending cycle.

 

Possessions can be gained and lost, but not establishing good bonds with your family can cause all of you to drift apart. Once you lose your family, it is not possible to gain them back.

 

According to happyplanetindex.org, Singapore’s Happy Index Score is 39.8, and we are ranked 90 out of the 151 countries analysed. Being ranked #90, we are below average.

 

As a student, I constantly find myself stressing out over schoolwork, exams and even trivial issues like friendship problems.

 

Parents are afraid that their children would not study hard enough, so they push them to their limits. They do not offer enough approval and praise, so children (like me!) tend to feel that they are not good enough.

 

The feeling of not being good enough or unworthiness will then lead to unhappiness and immense pressure. Though there is little correlation between a person’s results and their success, students don’t understand that their grades isn’t everything.

 

Channel News Asia reports that there is an average of 400 suicides in Singapore every year. This is an alarming amount, and people are most driven to suicide when they view their situations as “completely hopeless”.

 

It takes a huge amount of unhappiness for a person to feel that they have no way to change things for the better.

 

People are unhappy because they struggle with depression, financial issues and relationship problems. Many who decide to take their lives are those with good grades and many talents. We need to learn that it is not always our fault.

 

We are taught that in order to live up to our parents’ expectations, we must get a fairly decent job, we must do well in school.

 

If I was not pursuing a diploma, I would be travelling right now. Sadly, life in Singapore revolves around education. My mom would always tell me, “Getting a diploma is not enough. You need a degree to survive in this harsh world.”

 

I know that she wants what is best for me and I am always grateful, but am I truly happy?

 

The answer is no. If I am living in a country that gives me so much stress, I’d rather live somewhere else.

 

Therefore, I disagree that Singapore is a happy nation state.