Why does it feel like my life gets harder when I try to come back to Allah, while non-believers around me seem happy and at ease?

Honestly, right now my iman is low and I'm not in a good place spiritually. I've had many doubts, felt far from Allah, and even questioned if I truly believe like I used to. I'm not writing from a position of strength; I'm writing because I'm struggling and this has been on my mind for a long time. Lately, it seems like everything in my life is falling apart all at once. One problem after another, and I've found myself seeking refuge in Allah again. When I'm overwhelmed and have nowhere else to turn, I pray, I talk to Allah, and I want to believe there's a purpose behind all this. But then I look around and get confused. I live in a society where religion isn't central to daily life, and I know many atheists or those who simply don't believe. From the outside, some of them seem to be doing great. They're happy, successful, financially secure, with lots of friends, in relationships, traveling, enjoying life. Meanwhile, I'm struggling with so many things, even though I'm trying to turn back to Allah. I get that I'm only seeing the surface. I don't know their private struggles, and I understand that a life can look perfect while someone suffers inside. I also know the Islamic teaching that worldly success doesn't mean Allah is pleased with you, and hardship doesn't mean He is angry. But emotionally, it's still hard. If I'm trying to come back to Allah, why does my life keep getting harder? Why do those who don't believe seem to have peaceful, happy lives while I feel like I'm drowning? I know the answer isn't that Muslims should have easier lives, but then how should I understand this? If worldly happiness and suffering don't reflect one's relationship with Allah, how do I make sense of what I see? Sometimes this makes my faith weaker, not stronger. I wonder: if God exists and cares about me, why am I going through all this while those who don't believe seem to be doing so well? I'm not attacking Islam or saying atheism is right. I'm genuinely asking because I don't want to leave Islam just because I don't understand something. Part of me wants to believe again, especially since when things get really hard, Allah is the One I turn to. So, for Muslims who have dealt with this: how did you reconcile seeing non-believers living happy, successful lives while you faced hardship? What helped you understand the Islamic perspective without just saying "it's a test" and leaving it at that?