What Really Makes Us Happy?

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I'll be happy when…”?When you land your dream job, lose the weight, or finally get everything under control?

It's so easy to believe that happiness comes from external achievements — but positive psychology tells a different story.

The truth is, happiness doesn't come from success — happiness creates success. And the best part? Happiness is something we can learn to cultivate, no matter what's happening around us.

Positive Psychology

Positive psychology is the science of what makes life worth living — focusing on what helps people thrive, not just what needs to be fixed.

Robert Mack, a leading voice in this field, describes it as a tool to help us live more joyful, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.

According to research by Sonja Lyubomirsky, Kennon Sheldon, and David Schkade (2005), happiness isn't something that just happens to us — it's something we can actively create. They broke down happiness into three main components:

What Really Makes Us Happy?

• 50% Genetics

  Our natural tendency to be more optimistic or pessimistic is built into our DNA. But here's the exciting part — even though we're born with a certain happiness baseline, studies show that with consistent habits and mindset shifts, this baseline can be changed over time.

• 10% External Circumstances

  Money, health, relationships, and where we live only account for a small portion of our happiness. This explains why even life-changing moments — like getting a promotion or buying a new house — only boost happiness temporarily before we return to our baseline.

• 40% Daily Choices

  Here's the game-changer — almost half of our happiness comes from our daily actions, thoughts, and habits. The way we choose to show up each day plays the biggest role in how happy we feel.

  
  

We spend so much time chasing external things — jobs, money, or the perfect body — yet those only make up 10% of our happiness. Meanwhile, the choices we make every day hold the biggest impact on how happy we feel... but often, we don't give them nearly as much attention.

The good news is, happiness is something you can create from within — starting right now.

5 Simple Ways to Create Happiness from Within

1. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude shifts your focus from what's missing to what’s already present in your life. Studies show that regular gratitude practice can boost happiness and improve mental health over time.

Try This: Write down three things you're grateful for every day — no matter how small.

2. Focus on Your Strengths

Instead of always trying to fix what's "wrong," celebrate what you're naturally good at.

Ask yourself:

• What qualities have helped me through difficult moments?

• How can I lean into those strengths more often?

When you focus on what you're already great at, you boost your confidence and self-worth — two key ingredients for happiness.

3. Nurture Relationships

One of the biggest drivers of happiness is connection. Even small moments of connection can boost your mood and strengthen your sense of belonging.

Take time to:

• Call a friend

• Have a present, uninterrupted conversation

• Express appreciation to someone you care about

4. Be Present

Happiness doesn’t live in the future — it lives in the now.

Pause throughout your day to take a few deep breaths, tune into your senses, and ask yourself: What can I enjoy about this moment right now?

The more you practice presence, the more you'll find happiness in the little moments of daily life.

5. Reframe Your Thoughts

Your thoughts shape how you feel — but you have the power to shift your perspective.

When negative thoughts come up, pause and ask:

• Is there another way to look at this situation?

• What would the most compassionate version of myself say right now?

You Are in Control of Your Happiness

Happiness isn't the result of success — it's the cause of success.

Happiness isn’t about life being perfect — it’s how you show up even when life isn’t.

Happiness starts with small daily choices — and those choices are entirely within your control.