You don't sound Goebbel-esque at all. I think people have a lot of time to feel sorry for themselves nowadays, especially the non-working poor. In fact, even when I have found myself getting into a funk about something, the way I usually get out of it is to turn on the radio and get cleaning! Nothing like washing a dirty floor to get you out of the doldrums (he he).
Manual labor is quite a relaxing pasttime. Gives you time to work out problems in your head while keeping your body busy. I do that when I mow the lawn or clean my garage.
HAHAHA! Yep. I thought I was the only one who cleaned his way to happiness! I suspect we do it because it asserts our control over our environment. We may not be able to solve all our life's problems, but by George, we can get those hard-water stains out of the kitchen sink!