Empress Amy Sparkle

Hormones 

When we think about happiness, we often focus on life circumstances—our relationships, careers, finances, or achievements. However, one powerful factor that is frequently overlooked is the role of hormones. These chemical messengers travel through the bloodstream and influence how our bodies and minds function, including our mood, motivation, and emotional stability.

Hormones regulate many essential processes such as sleep, stress responses, appetite, and energy levels. When these systems are balanced, they support a stable mood and a sense of wellbeing. But when hormone levels shift or become imbalanced, they can significantly affect how a person feels, often in ways that may seem confusing or difficult to control.

For example, cortisol—often called the “stress hormone”—is released when the body perceives a threat. While it is helpful in short bursts, chronically high cortisol levels caused by ongoing stress can lead to anxiety, irritability, fatigue, and low mood. Similarly, hormones such as serotonin and dopamine play important roles in regulating feelings of pleasure, motivation, and emotional balance. When these chemicals are disrupted, people may experience symptoms associated with depression or emotional flatness.

Hormonal fluctuations are also common during certain life stages. Puberty, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and menopause all involve significant hormonal shifts that can influence mood and emotional wellbeing. For some individuals, these changes can contribute to mood swings, increased sensitivity to stress, or persistent feelings of sadness.

It is important to recognise that feeling unhappy is not always simply a matter of mindset or attitude. Sometimes, biological processes are playing a significant role behind the scenes. Understanding the influence of hormones can help reduce self-blame and encourage people to seek appropriate support, whether through medical advice, lifestyle changes, or mental health care.

Ultimately, happiness is shaped by a complex interaction between biology, psychology, and life circumstances. By acknowledging the role hormones play in emotional health, we can develop a more compassionate and informed perspective on why people sometimes struggle to feel like themselves.

Please, note I am not a medical doctor, this is stuff I have learnt over the years.

Not allowing your self

Sometimes unhappiness is not only influenced by biology or external circumstances, but also by the ways we think about ourselves and the world. In certain situations, people may unknowingly prevent themselves from experiencing happiness. This can happen for many different reasons, including mindset, past experiences, personal choices, or difficult life situations.

One factor that can contribute to this is a victim mentality. When someone consistently believes that everything in life happens to them rather than recognising what they can influence, it can create a feeling of helplessness. Over time, this mindset can make it difficult to see opportunities for change or personal growth. When a person feels that they have no control over their circumstances, happiness can begin to feel out of reach.

At other times, the barrier to happiness may come from the choices we make. Our daily decisions—how we spend our time, who we surround ourselves with, and the habits we build—can gradually shape our emotional wellbeing. If someone repeatedly chooses environments, behaviours, or relationships that drain their energy or reinforce negative thinking, it can make happiness much harder to access.

However, it is also important to acknowledge that life situations can play a major role. People facing financial stress, relationship difficulties, loss, or ongoing challenges may struggle to prioritise their own happiness. In these circumstances, it is not always about “choosing” happiness, but about navigating complex realities while trying to cope.

Recognising these influences is not about placing blame on ourselves or others. Instead, it can help create awareness. When people begin to reflect on their mindset, their choices, and the situations around them, they may start to identify areas where change is possible. Even small shifts in perspective or behaviour can gradually open the door to greater wellbeing.

Life circumstances

Sometimes unhappiness is not about hormones, mindset, or anything spiritual at all. Sometimes it is simply the reality of the situations we are living through. Life can be incredibly challenging, and difficult circumstances can weigh heavily on our emotional wellbeing.

People may be dealing with financial pressure, relationship breakdowns, grief, job loss, illness, family conflict, or the stress of trying to hold everything together. When life feels overwhelming, it is completely natural for happiness to feel distant. In these moments, it is important to remember that struggling does not mean you are failing—it means you are human and responding to the pressures around you.

During these times, reaching out for support can make a real difference. In the UK there are several organisations that provide confidential advice, emotional support, and practical help:

• Samaritans – Available 24 hours a day for anyone who needs someone to talk to. You can call 116 123 for free.
• Shout – A free, confidential text support service for people who are struggling. You can text SHOUT to 85258 to speak with a trained volunteer.
• Mind – A mental health charity that offers information, advice, and support for people experiencing mental health difficulties.
• NHS Talking Therapies – You can refer yourself for free therapy and mental health support through the NHS.
• Citizens Advice – Provides guidance on issues such as debt, housing, employment, and legal concerns that may be contributing to stress.

Seeking support is not a sign of weakness—it is often one of the strongest and most practical steps a person can take. When life circumstances feel heavy, having someone to talk to, or getting the right advice, can help lighten that load and make the path forward feel a little clearer.

Spiritual

As Empress Sparkle, I would be remiss not to include the spiritual perspective. I do believe in the spiritual world and the idea that there are things beyond what we cannot always see or fully understand. However, I also recognise that the physical world—our health, our choices, our mindset, and our circumstances—usually has a much greater and more immediate influence on how we feel. Because of that, the spiritual side is always my last place to explore after looking at the more practical explanations first.

That said, I believe that for some people their struggles may have a spiritual element. Our energy and the energy within our environment can affect our emotional wellbeing. If someone constantly feels uneasy, drained, or unsettled without an obvious reason, some may consider whether there could be a spiritual imbalance around them.

For example, someone’s homes can hold onto heavy or negative energy, sometimes described as a haunted environment or a place that carries the emotional residue of past events. As well as the possibility of spiritual attachments—energies or presences that may connect themselves to a person and influence their mood or sense of wellbeing.

Personally, I believe it is important not to jump straight to these explanations. Most of the time, what we experience can be understood through the realities of everyday life: stress, hormones, relationships, trauma, or the situations we are navigating. But if someone has explored these areas and still feels something is not quite right, it can be meaningful for them to also reflect on the spiritual side of things.

For us that follow spiritual practices, this might include cleansing rituals, prayer, meditation, grounding exercises, or simply taking time to reconnect with their own energy and inner peace. The key is balance—recognising the spiritual world while also staying grounded in the practical realities that shape our daily lives.

I hope this helps, and maybe you will see more of where you might belong. Don’t forget Empress is here to help on a spiritual level and can guide you with that.

Keep sparkling!