You ever have one of those days where you’re smiling for everyone else, but deep down you’re just… tired? In this clip, Zaya gets real about that exact feeling — the side of happiness no one likes to talk about. He dives into what it’s like to wear a smile that doesn’t quite fit, to perform joy for the world while silently dealing with your own mess behind the curtain.
It’s honest, it’s raw, and it’s the kind of moment that makes you stop and think about how often we hide behind “I’m fine.” Zaya reflects on the pressure to appear happy — especially when the world expects you to be the strong one, the positive one, the one who has it all together. But what happens when that version of happiness starts to feel more like a mask than a mindset?
If you’ve ever struggled to balance how you feel with how you want to be seen, this clip will hit home.
🎧 Listen to “The Dark Side of Happiness,” then dive into the full Scripted Smiles episode for a deeper conversation about authenticity, healing, and learning to find joy that isn’t performed — but lived.
