But like many, I had a difficult time realising them in my own life. Yet that doesn’t mean these are easy to come by.Īs an academic, I saw how important relationships were for happiness in the data. Warm and loving relationships are essential for living a happy life. These stories persist because they support an economic system that is designed to increase GDP, rather than improve the wellbeing of people and the planet. Yet, sadly, these things often get sacrificed in pursuit of more. What is clear is that having more money (beyond the point of meeting basic needs) is inconsequential when compared with having good quality relationships, looking after our mental and physical health, and living meaningfully in line with our beliefs and values. I spent much of my research career examining this (and travelling humbly for 18 months). Another popular story is that money buys happiness. An example would be the ‘when I achieve this, I will be happy’ story described above. There are many stories about what a happy life entails, but they’re not always backed up by reliable evidence. If we’re not happy along the way, then we ought to question whether it’s worth going at all. And, when I did arrive, beautiful as Bhutan was, exhaustion and homesickness dominated. When I was cycling to Bhutan, I let go of the idea of ever reaching Bhutan many times, and through doing so I ensured my journey remained purposeful and enjoyable. Even though achieving our goals won’t always bring us happiness. Rather than being in what psychologists call flow – an immersive, in-the-moment state of being – we might doggedly push on towards a goal. But it’s easy to get wrapped up in attaining an outcome, believing our happiness depends on it. They give direction in our day-to-day lives.
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