I recently came across a video of Alison Wonderland performing at Electric Daisy Carnival—an electronic dance music (EDM) festival. Not previously familiar with her work, I was impressed with the DJ. Therefore, I wanted to know more about her.
Turns out, the artist is acquainted with the experience of mental, emotional, and behavioral health (collectively “mental health”) from the perspective of one who apparently maintains symptoms of (a) mental disorder(s). According to one source:
Experiencing this difficult place [depression] inspired the Australian singer/songwriter/producer to write the track “Happy Place,” which reflects the ups and downs of mental illness. She revealed on Twitter that she wrote the song when contemplating suicide and making the choice to reach out for help.
“I wrote it about making choices. I made the choice to call my friends,” said Wonderland. “I’ve never been in such a dark place and I hope when people hear it they know that there are ways to get out of it and it can be OK.”
For context, lyrics from “Happy Place” state:
Give up these noises
Silence my mind
We all have choices
Where can I find
My happy place
I’m not shy about expressing my opinion on happiness. When hearing a Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) practitioner advocate contentment rather than happiness, some people express surprise. Imagine their shock to learn about what I stated in a blogpost entitled Happiness Is a Trap:
I suspect that learning of a psychotherapist who partially concurs with the notion that happiness is a trap isn’t appealing to the average reader. After all, there’s an absurd notion I’ve heard, far too often than I care to recall, which maintains that the end goal of mental health is happiness.
By “happiness,” I’m referring to the positive or pleasant state of intense joy or a pleasurable experience. This is different than contentment which is simply the experience of satisfaction with one’s possessions, status, or situation.
I’m not exactly hiding the ball, so to speak, in regard to my perspective on happiness. Happiness, while an oft-experienced phenomenon, isn’t a destination.
Of which I’m aware, there’s no “happy place” that serves as a mark on a proverbial map at which point one may set up residence. Concerning this issue, in a blog entry entitled Happiness Is a By-Product, I stated:
As happiness is a fleeting by-product of pursuing one’s aims, I’ve witnessed people disturb themselves into dreadful moods by chasing after this ephemeral ambition. However, if one is open to a good enough standard, sustainable psychological well-being can be attained regardless of whether or not one achieves happiness or can sustain “good vibes.”
Tolerance and acceptance of undesirable events, people, moods, and other matters can lead to a suitable “good enough” standard of living which is in alignment with contentment. Furthermore, I argue that contentment is a longer lasting experience than happiness.
Astonishingly, I’ve interacted with many people who seem to create their own personal torment in regard to happiness. It’s as though they fear being happy and are instead more comfortable relishing in misery.
I suppose this makes sense on some level, because familiarity with a miserable condition is what these individuals seem to appreciate more than perceived dread associated with actually improving their mood. Addressing this matter in a blogpost entitled Fear of Happiness, I stated:
Fear of happiness can essentially cause one to suffer in Hell of one’s own creation. However, things don’t have to be that way. There’s no logical reason why you should, must, or ought to be miserable if a healthy model such as REBT exists in order to help you get better.
Seeking a “happy place” may result in a person feeling better, which may be the goal of mental health treatment or management regarding some individuals. And when fleeting happiness of that aim wears off, what then?
It’s as though one’s stay at a temporary bed and breakfast location expires. “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here” at that point, as the old folks used to say when I was growing up.
Thus, one of the major objectives of REBT is to help people get better rather than to merely feel better. As such, and while I appreciate most of the content associated with Alison Wonderland that I’ve come across so far, I challenge the notion of a “Happy Place.”
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As the world’s original EDM-influenced REBT psychotherapist—promoting content related to EDM, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
Alison Wonderland. (2024, May 24). Alison Wonderland - EDC Las Vegas 2024 - Full set (Official video) [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/SKx0AlxDqf8?si=xsspe4_xW74pAYVV
Alison Wonderland. (2017, November 22). Alison Wonderland - Happy Place [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/_EUK9DrGhsU?si=-o81Vs_xU_clmE6g
Fabian, R. (2017, November 10). Alison Wonderland addresses depression in “Happy Place.” Recording Academy. Retrieved from https://www.grammy.com/news/alison-wonderland-addresses-depression-happy-place
Fuck Me Up Beauty. (n.d.). UFO body art pens [Image]. Alison Wonderland [Official website]. Retrieved from https://fmubeauty.com/
Hollings, D. (2024, July 21). A spring of hope. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/a-spring-of-hope
Hollings, D. (2024, June 24). Contentment. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/contentment
Hollings, D. (2023, June 26). Ctrl+alt+del. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/ctrl-alt-del
Hollings, D. (2022, March 15). Disclaimer. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/disclaimer
Hollings, D. (2023, September 8). Fair use. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fair-use
Hollings, D. (2024, August 5). Fear of happiness. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/fear-of-happiness
Hollings, D. (2023, October 12). Get better. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/get-better
Hollings, D. (2024, April 13). Goals. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/goals
Hollings, D. (2023, December 26). Good enough is good enough. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/good-enough-is-good-enough
Hollings, D. (2024, January 6). Happiness is a by-product. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/happiness-is-a-by-product
Hollings, D. (2023, December 26). Happiness is a trap. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/happiness-is-a-trap
Hollings, D. (n.d.). Hollings Therapy, LLC [Official website]. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/
Hollings, D. (2023, September 19). Life coaching. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/life-coaching
Hollings, D. (2023, January 8). Logic and reason. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/logic-and-reason
Hollings, D. (2024, March 4). Mental, emotional, and behavioral health. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/mental-emotional-and-behavioral-health
Hollings, D. (2023, September 3). On feelings. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/on-feelings
Hollings, D. (2024, May 5). Psychotherapist. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/psychotherapist
Hollings, D. (2022, March 24). Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/rational-emotive-behavior-therapy-rebt
Hollings, D. (2022, November 1). Self-disturbance. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/self-disturbance
Hollings, D. (2022, October 7). Should, must, and ought. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/should-must-and-ought
Hollings, D. (2023, February 16). Tna. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/tna
Hollings, D. (2024, June 19). Treatment vs. management. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/treatment-vs-management
Hollings, D. (2024, August 20).We all make our choices. Hollings Therapy, LLC. Retrieved from https://www.hollingstherapy.com/post/we-all-make-our-choices
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Alison Wonderland. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alison_Wonderland
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Electric Daisy Carnival. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Daisy_Carnival
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