Nearly everyone shares one major goal: to be “truly happy.” It’s a question I think about daily. It seems like such a simple idea, but finding happiness is more complicated than one might think.
People often look for it in two completely opposite ways. Some believe happiness must be found by working non-stop, reaching huge goals and gaining success. These go-getters are sometimes called workaholics.
Others believe happiness is found by accepting and enjoying the small, quiet things in life. These are content people, sometimes referred to as “lazy bums.”
This disagreement raises an important question: Is the most satisfying life built on constant effort or on peaceful appreciation?
The idea that happiness comes from achievement is the main focus for many people. We are often taught that if we get good grades, work a high-paying job and buy fancy things, we will finally be set for life.
This external idea of happiness seems logical: success equals reward, and reward equals joy. It’s a powerful motivation that drives people to create new things and solve difficult problems.
This path is often compared to chasing a “donut on a treadmill.” As soon as you achieve the first goal (the new car, the raise, the beautiful significant other), the donut moves further away, and a bigger goal appears just out of reach. This cycle is also sometimes called the “hedonic treadmill,” meaning the feeling of success is always temporary.
People who focus only on the next big goal risk enjoying their current lives. They might achieve everything they ever wanted, yet still feel empty because they never allowed themselves to slow down and enjoy the path they made for themselves..
On the other hand, many people find their happiness by focusing on internal life and simple successes. They prioritize strong friendships, health and moments of peace with the people they love the most, such as attending a family function or spending time outside. For these people, happiness is about appreciating what they already have.
This internal idea gives a stable source of joy that money can’t buy and a difficult day at work can’t easily destroy. When your happiness is based on being thankful for what you already have, you are much more resilient to the ups and downs of life.
However, a life completely focused on “the simple life” can also have its downsides. If a person stops trying to find goals in life, they might fail to reach their full potential. Growth, improvement and helping the community all require effort and the courage to take on challenges. While peace is important, a life without any meaningful goals can eventually feel pointless.
As corny as it may sound, I believe that a fulfilling life is found when we combine these two ideologies. True happiness is best described as a state of contentment and well-being that combines frequent positive emotions with a deeper sense of life satisfaction, purpose and meaning.
This means you need direction, but you also need to be able to enjoy the simple fact of being alive. We should work hard toward goals that truly matter to us, but we must also find time to relax and to appreciate our family and friends. This shows that we are able to move forward without missing the beautiful moments happening around us.
True happiness is not a final destination reserved for the most successful or the most content. It is a state of being where a person feels purposeful and peaceful at the same time. The smart approach is to move beyond the labels of “workaholic” or “lazy bum” and instead find a good balance. Know when to push yourself harder and when to simply breathe and appreciate the current state you’re in.
By combining striving with thankfulness, we can stop endlessly searching for happiness and simply start living it. You don’t just stumble upon true happiness; it’s a choice you make.
You can either spend your life always looking for it, or you can decide right now to see and enjoy the good things you already have. Hopefully, we can all do both.
