Running after happiness

Hello friends 😁!

The theme of today’s newsletter revolves around how we often tend to chase after happiness instead of appreciating our journey as it is.

« Happiness is like the horizon - you can walk for miles and miles but won’t get any closer. Either we keep on yearning for stuff we don’t have, or we actually have a chance for happiness. We can’t have both. »

This metaphor explains the famous concept of the hedonic treadmill:

« Always wanting more than we have, we run and run and run, like hamsters on a wheel. (…) On an exercise treadmill you can increase the speed all you want, but you stay in the same place. »

It reminds me of a concept from a few newsletters ago about the importance of being present and how difficult it can be. Even with happiness, we tend to forget what we have right in front of us and focus instead on the future happiness we think we could attain and how it would make us feel.

Comparison is the thief of joy. The more you compare this ideal future state of happiness with your current mood, the more ungrateful you might become for the beautiful things, projects, and people you already have in your life.

There is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way 💙.

Be grateful for what you already have. Your past self from a few years ago would be very jealous 😉.

On another note 👀 (…) 

Here's what I plan to share in the next two weeks on Happiness Library: 

• Review of Algebra Of Happiness (I’ve been talking about this one for a while! Now it’s official—I’ll post my review on June 26th!)

• Bookstack of all the interesting books I received in the last month

• A repost of one of my top 5 favorite books and how it changed my life for the better

• Book recommendations for taking care of yourself and your well-being

Which of these posts are you most excited to see?

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See you in two weeks! 👋

Marianne 🌸