What’s The Best Way To Be Happy?-It’s Not What You Think
So, today isn’t my day for “easy” questions, is it? So it appears that many of us are curious about happiness and wonder what it truly takes to be happy in life. That is a loaded question. You see, material things aren’t the point here, nor is ignoring yourself. When seeking happiness as part of your development journey, you should look within rather than without.
The outcomes are remarkable, filled with joy, and transformative for most individuals (though not universally). Yet, if you lack comprehension of happiness or its pursuit, certain actions might misguide you. Only you possess the insight to identify what must be addressed to achieve genuine happiness.
Why Materialistic Approaches May Fail
You’ve probably come across advertisements or videos promoting “genuine happiness” on the internet. These campaigns often start by highlighting the amazing qualities of specific products and how acquiring them can enhance your happiness. These ads usually showcase items that might not be essential, accompanied by reasons why they are indispensable. Yet, even if it appears to be an informative advertisement or something intriguing, there’s no assurance of long-term happiness. In reality, it often works in the opposite way.
Before delving further, here’s a chart (sourced from the Brookings EDU website) illustrating the correlation between age and contentment levels.
The point at which enduring happiness is typically reached tends to extend towards the age of 50 and beyond. As depicted in the graph, happiness declines during the early twenties, only to increase once more around the age of fifty. I’m intrigued by the reasons behind this pattern. Could it be linked to life stages, the allure of material possessions, or is there another underlying factor at play here?
Besides happiness, a common misconception held by many is that happiness is predominantly tied to material possessions and the presence of others. However, this notion is entirely mistaken. While material belongings can provide a temporary sense of happiness, it is short-lived. This is due to the fact that when you have feelings of joy for something that you purchased, that feeling eventually wears off. So, in order to be happy, you must keep buying and buying. In the end, this is just something to fill a void, not happiness.
Genuinely, to attain genuine happiness, it’s