The Sad Side of Success by Nazia Ali

Nazia Ali

Emotional Intelligence

Batch 4

31-10-2026

The Sad Side of Success

“Why I am feeling low?”

“What kind of emptiness is this?”

Hala finally submitted her master’s thesis. For weeks, she had been working late nights, driven by deadlines and the excitement of finishing her degree. Her friends expected her to celebrate, but once the submission was over, Hala felt strangely empty instead of relieved. The next day, she woke up without motivation. The structure that had guided her daily life was not there, no more research goals, no more feedback to anticipate. Even simple things like getting out of bed or replying to congratulatory messages felt exhausting. She was left with a numbing sense of emptiness.

It is common to feel a sense of happiness, pride and satisfaction after finishing a major task. However, some people experience an unexpected wave of sadness, emptiness or depression once the task is complete. This emotional state often called post-task depression which occurs when the excitement, pressure and purpose that fueled the work suddenly disappear. During a project individuals are highly focused, motivated and goal-oriented. When the goal is achieved, the structure and meaning that once guided their days can vanish, leaving a void.

Sense of disappointment can be explained by what psychologist Tal Ben-Shahar calls the arrival fallacy the mistaken belief that happiness lies in the achievement of a goal rather than the journey itself (Ben-Shahar, 2009)

To cope with post-task depression, it is important to recognize it as a natural response to significant life changes. With a clearer understanding of its causes and effects, individuals can begin to navigate their feelings more effectively. Through self-reflection and the establishment of new goals, it is possible to emerge from this phase with renewed purpose.

Reference

Ben-Shahar, T. (2009). Happier: Learn the secrets to daily joy and lasting fulfilment. McGraw-Hill.