You Cannot Make Everyone Happy at the Same Time

In life, no matter how hard you try, someone will always have something to say. Whether you follow your heart, listen to others, or try to strike a balance—criticism is inevitable. And that’s because one simple truth holds strong: you cannot make everyone happy at the same time.

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A well-known fable beautifully illustrates this point. A man, his son, and their donkey were once traveling to town. At first, the man walked while the boy rode the donkey. Passersby criticized him, saying, “Look at that young boy riding comfortably while his old father walks!” So they switched—now the man rode and the boy walked. But again, people commented, “What a cruel father, letting his young son walk in the heat!” To satisfy everyone, they both rode the donkey. But then others cried out, “Poor donkey, carrying two people! That’s too much weight.” Finally, they both decided to walk and let the donkey go free. Then people mocked them for being foolish enough to not use the donkey at all.

No matter what they did, someone had a problem with it.

This story is not just about a man and his donkey—it’s about us. We often bend, change, and adjust ourselves just to fit into others’ expectations. We shape our choices based on approval and mold our personalities to be liked by everyone. But here’s the hard truth: it’s a battle you will never win.

Trying to please everyone will eventually drain your energy, blur your identity, and leave you feeling unsatisfied. You’ll start living a life that’s not yours, but a collection of opinions and approvals from others. In the process, you lose your authenticity—your true self.

The more you try to be “perfect” for everyone, the more disappointed you become. What one person loves, another might hate. What one sees as brave, another sees as reckless. What one calls smart, another might call arrogant. There is no one version of you that will be accepted by all.

So what should we do? Simple: be honest with yourself. Choose what aligns with your values, your peace, and your purpose. Be kind, but don’t be a doormat. Be open to feedback, but don’t lose your voice in the noise. Learn to say no, set boundaries, and understand that someone else’s opinion is not your truth.

You are not born to live your life as a public project. You are born to live it as an individual journey. And those who truly matter will accept you for who you are—not for how well you meet their expectations.

Remember: you can be the ripest, juiciest mango in the world, and there will still be someone who hates mangoes.

So stop chasing everyone’s approval. Start chasing your own happiness.