Famous Psychologist Gabriel Rolón: 'Being Happy Requires a Great Responsibility'

Famous Argentine psychoanalyst and writer Gabriel Rolón has deeply criticized modern society's misconceptions regarding personal happiness and well-being. In an interview with the LN+ channel, he drew attention to the psychological pressure created by living in a culture where instant results and quick fixes are prioritized. Rolón emphasized that modern narratives claiming happiness is merely an individual decision or a simple choice are extremely misleading. He stated that true inner peace can only be achieved by accepting one's own shortcomings, pains, and scars. In this context, he expressed that coming under the management of happiness is a matter of great courage and responsibility.

The author, who attempts to redefine the concept of happiness in his books and talks, has coined a highly striking new term for this situation: 'Faltacidad' (lack/flawfulness). This term represents the only state of well-being that can actually exist, signifying the individual's capacity to embrace all their flaws, deprivations, and traumas. Rolón notes that the classical idea of perfect happiness is nothing but an illusion, and that the real goal to reach is to live a life at peace with one's imperfections. According to him, happiness should be neither a longing for the past nor the promise of an uncertain future; it must be built entirely 'in the eternity of the present moment.' According to this philosophy, being satisfied with one's current life and focusing on today is considered the fundamental condition of existential meaning.

The psychoanalyst, evaluating personal development and the obstacles to desires, states that individuals are surrounded from birth by rigid expectations determined by family and society. He expresses that these external interventions, over time, prevent a person from realizing their own desires and alienate the individual from themselves. Rolón emphasizes that people are so deeply shaped by the opinions and directions of others that they often become unable to even recognize their own true desires. At this point, he notes that the fundamental goal of psychoanalysis is not to accept a destiny written by others, but to pursue one's own internal quest. The expert adds that, no matter how difficult it may be, the individual must strive to discover their own desire, because this desire is an inexhaustible source of energy.

In Rolón's philosophy, love and romantic relationships are also addressed within a very deep and realistic framework. He defines love as a unique defense mechanism and a tool of consolation created by humanity against existential loneliness and pain. The author, noting that love lessens an individual's feeling of loneliness and makes the sorrow brought by life more bearable, does not overlook the fact that relationships harbor serious risks. To love someone is, quite literally, the act of giving that person power and influence over oneself. According to Rolón, the secret of a healthy relationship lies in never using this power to hurt the other person during arguments or outbursts of anger.

He states that this strong bond demonstrated by love grows individuals when healthy boundaries are drawn, but can inflict deep psychological wounds when abused. The complex nature of happiness and love are dynamic processes that require continuous self-evaluation, patience, and respect for the other person. Shedding the perfectionism and instant gratification expectations imposed by society is the first step that must be taken to establish a genuine emotional bond. Ultimately, Rolón invites people to confront their own inner darkness and to love with their flaws, against the superficial prescriptions of modern times. All these thoughts aim to steer audiences and readers toward a search for lasting and profound inner peace rather than instant solutions.