If you said yes, what is it that made you feel happy right now? and if you said no, what is it that's making you feel particularly unhappy at the moment? If you know the answers to these questions, I’d suggest you hold onto things that are making you feel content and take significant action to change the things that are blocking your path towards happiness.
When asked various different individuals, what happiness is, the answers would be disparate. Happiness is a very subjective subject topic. I’m sure discrete answers would be collected if a survey is passed on. Although, what you need to unfold is, what it means to you. What makes you happy? What does happiness mean to you?
Happiness is a state, not a trait; meaning, it isn’t a long-lasting, permanent feature or personality trait, but a more fleeting state. It is equated with feeling pleasure or contentment, that is, it shouldn't be confused with joy, ecstasy, bliss, or other more intense feelings.
Don’t confuse happiness with joy though. With close ties between joy and happiness, it’s common to hear the two words used interchangeably. Happiness is a state characterized by feelings of contentment and satisfaction with one’s life or current situation. However, joy is a more visceral, in-the-moment experience. It often refers to the sensory-based feelings we get from experiences like eating good food or getting a massage. Happiness, while not a permanent state, is a more stable state than joy.
Moreover, happiness is a state of mind. Finding happiness is like finding yourself. Self-actualization is a process of discovering who you are, who you want to be, and paving your way to happiness by doing what brings you the most meaning and contentment in your life over the long run.
If you want to be happier than you’re right now, try to pursue your intrinsic goals, be focused on your personal growth, listen to your body and mind and fuel them with what they need. Enjoy the moment, be present. Rather than falling into the trap of mindlessly accumulating to the detriment of your own happiness, focus on practicing gratitude for the things you have and enjoying the process as you go.
Additionally, reframe your negative thoughts, when you find yourself struck by a pessimistic outlook or experiencing negativity, look for ways that you can reframe your thoughts in a more positive approach. Reframing these negative perceptions isn’t about ignoring the bad. Instead, it means trying to take a more balanced, realistic look at events. It allows you to notice patterns in your thinking and then challenge negative thoughts.
Another approach to increase your happiness levels is by regular exercising. Make it a goal of yours to work out 5/7 days a week and notice the positive changes you feel during the day. Adding to it, research has found that people who feel like they have a purpose have better well-being and feel more fulfilled. A sense of purpose involves seeing your life as having goals, direction, and meaning. It helps improve happiness by promoting healthier behaviors.
Misperceptions abound when it comes to what we think will make us happy. People often believe that happiness will be achieved once they reach a certain milestone, such as finding a perfect partner or a particular salary. Contradictorily, we humans are excellent at adapting to new circumstances, which means that people will habituate to their new relationships or wealth, return to a baseline level of happiness, and seek out the next milestone. So don’t base your happiness on goals as such.
There is a strong relationship between happiness and your mental health. The sources that contribute to happiness are the same as those that provide people with a buffer or protection against mental illness, which explains the close relationship between the two. Taking care of both should be your priority.
Happiness isn’t something you’ll get in the market, ready for you to buy, it comes from your own actions. It’s not a goal, but a by-product of a life well-lived.
I think happiness comes from living as you need to, as you want to, and as your inner voice tells you to. Happiness comes from being who you are instead of who you think you are supposed to be.
Don’t wait for someone else to make you happy, it isn’t anyone’s responsibility but yours to make yourself happy.
Today, sit with yourself for mere 5 minutes and learn what would make you happy, upon doing that, take actions to fulfill your happiness quotient. Nothing is more important than being in a state where you feel fulfilled and content. From today, start making yourself a priority, look into what caters to your soul and do that more often. If it makes you happy, no one else’s opinion should matter. You deserve it.
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