Hello! I can see you!
I can see that you're feeling confused, and I admire your tolerance and acceptance of your family. I also know that the most important thing you can do is focus on yourself. Instead of trying to convince yourself that "contentment is happiness" and suppressing your feelings, or projecting anxiety and hoping for a better change in your children and husband, I think your question is very clear-headed and courageous.
It's totally normal to still feel a sense of deprivation and unhappiness despite having good living conditions and a good family. It's also totally normal to feel the need to explore what life is all about and what happiness really means to you.
It's not so much about the answer to the question, but more about the way you think about it.
1. I totally get where you're coming from when you say you're unhappy. I think we can all relate to that feeling of being lost and unsure of what we truly want in life.
What is happiness? Well, in my opinion, happiness is a state of life with hope.
When there's hope, even if things are tough and the work is physically demanding, you'll feel happy and content. But when there's no goal in sight, even if you're surrounded by luxury and fun every night, you'll still feel lost inside. This is just as the American "Lost Generation" author F. Scott Fitzgerald described in "The Great Gatsby."
I totally get where you're coming from. I agree with you that I feel unhappy about what you said, which may be a lack of goal expression.
2. Here's a way to find a goal when you're lost.
I really hope I can help you find a goal when you're lost. I'd love to share a way that I've found to do this, and I hope it can help you too!
Recently, I was faced with the prospect of leaving my job. I wasn't sure what I would do after leaving, so I was a little hesitant to go. I needed a goal! So I started writing "100 things I want to do after leaving my job." What I wrote at the beginning might have been very general, like "read for half an hour every day" for items 1-10. As I wrote, I found that the goals became more and more specific. For example, for items 20-30, I might write down specific categories of books to read. Later on, I might even get into which books!
I've found that when you write down 100 items, you'll feel a strong sense of purpose and be able to refine what you can do in the moment. It's such an amazing experience, and I'll definitely be doing this when I'm feeling lost. I'd love to share it with you!
I really hope this perspective helps you, my friend! Warm regards!


Comments
I understand how you feel, it's tough when you're not sure what direction to take. Maybe exploring new hobbies or interests could help you find that missing piece.
It sounds like you have a lot on your plate already. Sometimes taking a step back and reflecting on personal goals can provide clarity on where to go next.
Feeling unfulfilled despite having a wonderful family is hard. Perhaps engaging in activities that bring you personal joy or fulfillment outside of family life might help.
You're not alone in feeling this way. Many people experience a lack of direction at some point. Seeking guidance from a counselor might offer some insight into what you're looking for.
It's important to remember that it's okay to feel this way sometimes. Setting small, achievable goals for yourself could be a gentle way to start finding direction.