Before you start reading this text, I'd like you to pause for a moment and answer the following two questions:

1. How often have you heard the phrase "Shut up, it could be worse"?
2. Do you think someone is better off than someone who says, "Shut up, it could be worse"?

No, this isn't a self-help article, and I won't tell you that you need to change your mindset because "like attracts like" or any similar mantra about manifesting prosperity and wealth, especially since the focus of this text is not on the individual but on the collective. However, I hope to provoke you to think about whether this attitude has, at least in part, led us to rank 37th among the "happiest" countries in the world (World Happiness Report 2024). It's not just about you or me, but about all of us, and the collective mindset we need to shift.

I understand that happiness is a subjective feeling and, as such, depends heavily on individual perception. Nevertheless, on a national level, you would agree that specific economic and social indicators influence satisfaction and quality of life and, thus, the population's happiness.

European countries, especially Nordic nations like Finland and Denmark, consistently top the list of the happiest countries in the world, while Serbia is ranked much lower. This raises the question—what makes these countries the happiest, and how can Serbia adapt its practices to increase the sense of happiness among its citizens? Moreover, how can we change the entrenched mentality of "shut up, it could be worse" that characterizes many in Serbia and create an environment where citizens strive for better?

In modern society, the concept of happiness is often linked to economic prosperity ("Money can't buy happiness…" plays softly in the background). However, I believe that a nation's happiness does not solely depend on wealth but also on how that wealth is distributed and how society functions on deeper levels, including socially, as evidenced by the example of Nordic countries. In addition to having a high GDP per capita, wealth in these countries is evenly distributed, which reduces economic inequalities and fosters a sense of community.

Alongside economic stability, or thanks to it, what distinguishes these countries is the mentality of their citizens. Nordics value equality and community and have high trust in their institutions, allowing them to be satisfied with their individual lives while also contributing to the community. This is exemplified by Denmark's "hygge" lifestyle, which symbolizes enjoying the little things and appreciating everyday contentment, while Norway promotes the concept of "dugnad," which embodies solidarity and collective work for the welfare of society.

On the other hand, Serbia often grapples with the mentality of "shut up, it could be worse." This pessimistic outlook on life, rooted in historical and socio-economic challenges and usually fueled by the dissemination of "bad news" in the media, prevents people from striving for better and believing in the possibility of change. Instead of being motivated by positive examples and visions of a better life, this way of thinking seems to create stagnation and passivity, nurturing the status quo without a desire or vision for change, which I assume directly affects the subjective sense of happiness.

When we look at the parameters that make Nordic countries the happiest, it's clear that their happiness is not solely a result of wealth but also of a mindset of community, equality, and solidarity, along with high social security. Although Serbia is on the right path regarding economic indicators and its social system, to "climb the ladder of happiness" and join the happiest countries in the world, a fundamental change in the mindset of the population must occur. Perhaps the basic difference in happiness lies in the application of concepts like "hygge" and "dugnad" in Nordic countries, while in Serbia, there is often a reliance on a survival mindset and minimalist expectations—"it could be worse."

I believe that this mentality prevents people from actively participating in changes that could improve society and increase the overall level of happiness among the population. It's up to us, the citizens of Serbia, to foster a culture that values progress and positive change. When we believe we can contribute to societal improvement, our motivation increases, along with our sense of happiness. By changing the mental framework, we can create conditions where we are not only more satisfied but also happier, oriented toward a better future, because "shut up, it can be better."