This quote highlights the influence of societal expectations on individual happiness, suggesting that our feelings are often shaped by how others perceive us. People tend to gauge their happiness based on comparisons with peers, which can lead to a diminished sense of self-worth and satisfaction. If happiness is determined by external approval, it implies a loss of personal agency in defining one’s own joy.

In "Mandy and Alecto: The Collected Smog City Book Series," author Rebecca McNutt explores these themes, illustrating how the characters navigate their emotions in a world where societal norms dictate their well-being. This perspective encourages readers to seek inner happiness and reassess the sources from which they derive their sense of fulfillment.