What Is Happiness? An Understanding of the Most Sought-After Emotion
- E B ^3
- Sep 19
- 8 min read
Happiness. It’s a word that carries so much weight yet means something a little different to everyone. If I asked 10 different people, “What is happiness?", I might get 10 different answers.
It’s something painted across self-help books, quoted in songs, and searched endlessly on Google. People move across the world, chase careers, buy houses, start families, and sometimes even abandon everything they know all in pursuit of it. But what exactly is happiness? Is it a fleeting moment of joy, or is it a steady state of peace? Is it something that arrives when life is perfect, or is it something we create regardless of our circumstances?
In this blog post, we’re going to explore the most sought after emotion, happiness from multiple angles, philosophically, scientifically, and deeply personal. We’ll unpack what it really means, why it matters, how it shows up in our daily lives, and why chasing it blindly can sometimes leave us feeling emptier than before.
Defining Happiness: More Than a Smile
At its simplest, happiness can be described as a positive emotional state: a feeling of joy, contentment, or satisfaction. For me, to sum it up in one word, it is progression. But this surface-level definition barely scratches the surface. The deeper question is not what happiness looks like, but what it feels like and where it comes from.
Philosophers have debated this for centuries. Aristotle, for example, described happiness (or eudaimonia) as living in alignment with virtue and purpose. To him, happiness wasn’t just about pleasure but about living a good life, one where your actions align with your values.
On the other hand, Hedonists believe happiness is about maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. To them, the essence of happiness is enjoyment, comfort, and the absence of suffering.
Modern psychology, however, blends these perspectives. Positive psychology, championed by researchers like Martin Seligman suggests happiness has two dimensions:
Hedonic happiness: the pursuit of pleasure, comfort, and enjoyment.
Eudaimonic happiness: the pursuit of meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.
Both are valid, and both are essential. The weekend getaway that brings laughter with friends may fill you with hedonic happiness. Meanwhile, the long, hard work of raising a child, volunteering, or building a passion-driven career lean toward eudaimonic happiness. Together, they weave the fabric of a truly fulfilling life.
Many other psychologists prefer to use the term subjective well-being when studying happiness. This concept emphasizes that happiness is unique to the individual, it’s how satisfied you feel with your life overall, how often you experience positive emotions, and how rarely do you experience negative ones.
A Brief History of Happiness
Happiness has been a topic of fascination for centuries.
Ancient Greece: Philosophers like Aristotle believed true happiness (which he called eudaimonia) came not from pleasure, but from living a virtuous and meaningful life. For him, happiness was about fulfilling your potential and contributing to society.
Eastern Philosophy: Buddhism teaches that happiness comes from letting go of attachments and desires, cultivating mindfulness, and finding inner peace. Taoism emphasizes harmony with nature and balance as pathways to joy.
Enlightenment Thinkers: In the 18th century, philosophers such as John Locke and Thomas Jefferson argued that the pursuit of happiness was a natural human right. Jefferson even enshrined it in the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Modern Psychology: In the late 20th century, positive psychology emerged, shifting the focus from mental illness to human flourishing. Researchers like Martin Seligman began studying gratitude, resilience, and character strengths as tools for happiness.
Across time and cultures, one theme remains: happiness is deeply important to human life.
Cultural Views of Happiness
Different cultures interpret happiness in unique ways.
In the United States, happiness is often associated with personal achievement and individual freedom.
Scandinavian Countries regularly rank among the happiest nations. Concepts like hygge ( which roughly translates to “coziness” in Denmark) and lagom (basically translates to “balance” in Sweden) highlight how simple pleasures and balance create joy.
In Japan, happiness often connects to harmony, modesty, and community well-being.
This shows happiness isn’t one-size-fits-all. It reflects our cultural values and collective priorities.
The Science of Happiness
It’s easy to think of happiness as something abstract, but science shows us it has very real roots in our biology and psychology.
1. The Brain’s Chemistry
Happiness is often linked to a cocktail of neurotransmitters: dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins.
Dopamine: fuels motivation, the “reward” chemical that makes us feel good when we achieve something.
Serotonin: stabilizes mood, connected to feelings of well-being and belonging.
Oxytocin: the “love hormone,” released in bonding and trust-building moments.
Endorphins: natural painkillers that also bring about euphoria.
Though these chemicals play a role, they don’t create happiness on their own. They’re triggered by experiences, relationships, and mindsets.
2. The Happiness Set Point
Research shows that about 50% of our baseline happiness is determined by genetics, 10% by circumstances, and 40% by intentional activities (things we choose to do). This means while some people may be naturally more inclined toward positivity, much of our happiness is within our control.
3. The Hedonic Treadmill
One fascinating psychological concept is the hedonic treadmill, the idea that humans adapt quickly to positive or negative events. Buy a new car, and at first it feels amazing. But within months, it becomes normal, and then the happiness fades. Lose a job, and while the blow is painful, most people adjust and regain happiness faster than expected. This adaptability is both a blessing and a curse it protects us in tough times, but it also means material gains rarely provide lasting joy.
What Happiness Is Not
Sometimes, understanding happiness begins with clearing away misconceptions.
Happiness is not perfection.
A perfect life doesn’t exist. Even people who seem to “have it all” face struggles. Happiness isn’t about removing every hardship but learning how to live with them gracefully.
Happiness is not constant joy.
We often confuse happiness with excitement or euphoria, but no one feels that way all the time. Happiness is more like a steady undercurrent of contentment that carries you even through storms.
Happiness is not something you can buy.
Money provides comfort, security, and opportunities, but beyond a certain point, it doesn’t increase happiness. Studies suggest once basic needs are met, the correlation between wealth and happiness plateaus.
Happiness is not comparison.
In the age of social media, it’s easy to measure our lives against others’. But comparison robs us of joy. Happiness comes from living authentically, not by meeting the standards of others.
Happiness is not “I’ll be happy when…”
Waiting for external milestones like getting a promotion, buying a house, or finding the perfect partner often leads to disappointment or fades away with time. True happiness is about appreciating the journey, not just the destination.
What Actually Makes Us Happy
If money, perfection, and constant joy are not the secret, what is? While happiness is deeply personal, there are universal contributors that science and wisdom both point to:
1. Relationships and Connection
Humans are wired for connection. The longest-running study on happiness from Harvard found that strong relationships more than wealth or fame are the greatest predictor of long-term happiness. Friends, family, partners, and community provide love, support, and a sense of belonging.
2. Purpose and Meaning
People who feel their lives matter through career, creativity, spirituality, or service report higher satisfaction. Meaningful work doesn’t always mean prestigious work; it simply means doing something that aligns with your values.
3. Gratitude
Gratitude rewires the brain. Studies show people who regularly practice gratitude through journaling or simple reflection experience increased happiness and reduced stress.
4. Growth and Learning
Stagnation breeds dissatisfaction, while growth fuels happiness. Whether it’s picking up a hobby, learning a new skill, or overcoming a personal fear, progress creates fulfillment.
5. Health and Well-Being
Physical and mental health strongly influence happiness. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and rest help sustain positive emotions.
6. Mindfulness and Presence
So much unhappiness comes from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Mindfulness practices like meditation or simply being present help ground us in the here and now, where joy actually lives.
The Paradox of Pursuing Happiness
Here’s the tricky part: directly chasing happiness can make us less happy. When we are fixated on being happy, we set unrealistic expectations. Every moment that doesn’t feel blissful becomes a disappointment.
Instead, happiness tends to be a byproduct of the outcome of living a meaningful, connected, and balanced life. It often sneaks up on us in unexpected moments: laughter over a meal, the quiet satisfaction of finishing a task, or the comfort of a loved one’s presence.
Happiness in Everyday Life
So how do we apply all this knowledge? Happiness isn’t just found in big milestones, it lives in small, daily practices.
Start the day with intention. A few deep breaths, a thought of gratitude, or setting a goal can frame the day positively.
Connect with others. Even a short, genuine conversation can lift a mood.
Move your body. Exercise releases endorphins and reduces stress.
Create small joys. Listening to music, reading, or enjoying a cup of coffee create tiny pleasures, which add up.
Reflect at night. Journaling or simply noticing what went well can end the day on a happy note.
Happiness is a Personal Journey
At the end of the day, happiness is deeply personal. What makes one person light up might leave another indifferent. Some find happiness in adventure, others in routine. Some seek it in solitude, others in community.
The most important step is to ask yourself: What does happiness mean to me?
Is it peace of mind?
Is it achievement and growth?
Is it love and connection?
Is it service to others?
Reflecting on these questions can help you design a life that feels authentic and fulfilling, rather than chasing someone else’s version of happiness.
The Deeper Side of Happiness: Resilience
Harlin Ellison, once wrote, “For without pain, there can be no pleasure. Without sadness, there can be no happiness. Without misery there can be no beauty. And without these, life is endless, hopeless, doomed and damned.”
It’s important to remember happiness doesn’t mean the absence of sadness, grief, or struggle. In fact, those very emotions often deepen our appreciation for joy. The ability to remain hopeful, grateful, and connected in hard times is resilience and it’s one of the strongest pillars of happiness.
Final Thoughts
So, what is happiness? It’s not a destination or a prize. It’s not perfection, wealth, or constant pleasure. Happiness is a journey, a practice, a way of living that embraces both joy and struggle. It’s found in connection, purpose, gratitude, growth, and presence.
Most importantly, happiness is not something we wait for, it’s something we cultivate. It’s in the laugh you share today, the kindness you offer tomorrow, and the meaning you find along the way.
Happiness is, at its core, not about having everything you want, but about learning to love and appreciate what you already have while continuing to grow.
While we may never agree on one definition of happiness, the pursuit of it drives us all. And perhaps the secret is this: happiness is less about chasing and more about noticing. It’s about creating space for gratitude, embracing life as it is, and nurturing what truly matters.
As the Dalai Lama once said: “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
So, maybe the question should not be “What is happiness?” Maybe it should be, “How will you choose to create happiness today?”
Comment below, I would love to hear how you create happiness.
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