Is it normal to pretend to be happy?
Mostly.Normal for most people
Yes, it’s pretty normal to act happier than you feel sometimes. It’s worth paying attention if you feel you have to keep up the act all the time or can’t be honest with anyone.
Lots of people put on a cheerful face to get through work, keep the peace, avoid awkward questions, or spare someone else’s feelings. You don’t owe everyone a full report on how you’re doing, and a little social smoothing is part of life.
But keeping it up constantly can get lonely and tiring. If there’s someone you trust, try letting them know how you actually feel—even a simple “I’m having a rough day” can take some pressure off.