Imagine if I told you that the emotions we often label "positive" and "negative" might not be clear-cut. Excitement is typically seen as a good thing, while nervousness is something to avoid. Hope is celebrated, while despair is dreaded. Happiness? That's the ultimate goal, while sadness is something we’re told to overcome. But what if sadness isn’t the villain of the story? What if sadness is a necessity instead of being something negative—a powerful force that’s actually… positive?

But how could the feeling of emptiness, the feeling of your stomach sinking, the feeling that you are insignificant to the world be of use? Anyone would be stupid to think so, right? Well, not really. As Passenger says in his hit song Let Her Go, you “only know you've been high when you're feeling low.” Sadness isn’t a feeling on its own; it's simply a lack of happiness. Sadness can make one value the times of joy and bliss. Happiness is not a factory feeling for humans; it is something we create and seek. Sadness will always exist in the absence of happiness.

Why am I writing about this? A week ago, as I sat in my car, I felt a sharp pain in my chest, like someone had ripped my heart apart, simply because I didn’t have anything to look forward to. As I reflect on that time, I don’t just see my sadness; I see the lush trees around me, the smiles on people’s faces, and the evergrowing crowdedness of Jakarta’s streets. I saw the air-conditioned space I was in, the leather seat I sat in, and the fact that I was fed that day. I was not feeling sad at that moment, I was just off a high. And if I had never felt that way, I would never have had the chance to be happy and grateful for everything I have.

Think about Usain Bolt for a moment. He’s shattered world records and dominated the track like no one else. But when he doesn't surpass his own high standards or perform at his absolute best, he might feel down. The thing is, sadness isn’t exclusive to the big, dramatic moments. It’s a part of life, even for someone like Bolt. But the fact is that what feels like a disappointment to him might be a dream come true for someone else. If I ever ran the slowest 100-meter race Usain Bolt has ever run, I’d be over the moon!

This comparison highlights how our emotions, whether happiness or sadness, are shaped by our perspectives and experiences. Bolt’s temporary low drives him to seek new highs, just like my moment of sadness in the car helped me appreciate the joy and comfort in the small details around me. Sadness, therefore, teaches us to value those times when we are on a high and makes those moments all the more critical.

The longer the climb, the greater the triumph when you reach the top.

Is Sadness a Negative Feeling?