What Is Happiness?

Adejoke Ogundipe
4 min readDec 29, 2024

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Photo by Surface on Unsplash

Hi guys, hope you all are doing great today! There is a question that’s been on my mind since the beginning of the week, and it’s one I believe a lot of us ask ourselves now and then — what is happiness? I did some research online and found various definitions, but I’m still not fully convinced about what happiness means.

As simple as the word happiness is when you break it down, they say it’s the state of being happy, but can that be the whole picture? I’d argue it isn’t. See, no one has the perfect answer to what happiness is. Everyone seems to be guessing, adding their interpretations, and calling it the truth.

So the next question is, do I have a different definition of happiness? Well, it’s both a yes and a no.

What Does Happiness Mean?

Photo by Nick Fewings on Unsplash

Happiness isn’t something that fits into one neat box, and that’s perfectly okay. For some, happiness might be a moment of peace, for others, it might be a sense of achievement. It could be the simple joy of a morning cup of coffee or the thrill of reaching a life milestone. Ultimately, happiness is subjective — it changes from person to person and situation to situation. But the deeper I reflect on it, I realize that happiness is not just about fleeting moments or feelings, it’s about a state of mind, an ongoing journey of contentment and balance.

How to Find Happiness

Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Finding happiness starts with understanding that it doesn’t always come from external factors. While accomplishments, possessions, or relationships can certainly bring joy, true happiness often comes from within. Here are a few things that help me and could help you too on this journey:

  1. Self-Awareness: Happiness begins with knowing yourself. What are your values, your passions, your goals? When you connect with your true self, you start aligning your actions with your beliefs. This alignment often leads to a deeper, more lasting sense of happiness. The best part of being happy is finding yourself and careless about what people say about you. Live your life to the fullest.
  2. Gratitude: Start appreciating what you already have. It’s easy to get caught up in the “I’ll be happy when…” mindset, but learning to be grateful for the present can open up a whole new world of contentment.
  3. Mindfulness: Happiness thrives in the present moment. Focusing on now, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, can help you experience joy more fully. This is another important key to being happy, focusing on the present and letting go of the past and the future.
  4. Surround Yourself with Positivity: People, environments, and experiences shape how we feel. Build a support system of people who uplift you and engage in activities that make you feel good about yourself.

When Do You Know You’ve Found Happiness?

It’s not always a loud, obvious moment of joy. Sometimes, it’s subtle. Happiness can show up as a sense of peace in your everyday life, a deep satisfaction with where you are, or a feeling of inner calm even in chaos.

You’ll know you’ve found happiness when you no longer feel like you’re constantly searching for it. It will feel natural like you’ve come home to yourself. When happiness is a regular companion, rather than a rare visitor, you know you’re on the right track.

What Not to Do in Your Pursuit of Happiness

While we all have our paths to happiness, there are a few things to avoid on the journey:

  1. Comparing Yourself to Others: Comparing your happiness to someone else’s is a sure way to lose your own. Everyone’s journey is different, and someone else’s happiness doesn’t define yours.
  2. Chasing External Validation: Relying too much on others’ approval or material things for happiness is a trap. True happiness comes from within, not from the praise or material rewards you accumulate.
  3. Ignoring Your Needs: It’s easy to get caught up in work, obligations, or trying to please everyone else, but if you don’t take care of yourself — emotionally, physically, and mentally — happiness will always feel elusive.
  4. Settling for Mediocrity: Sometimes, we settle for less because we fear change or think we don’t deserve better. Don’t let that stop you from pursuing a life that truly fulfills you.

Happiness isn’t a destination, but rather a way of being. It’s the little moments, the peace within, the understanding of your worth. It’s a constant reminder to stay true to yourself and cherish what you already have. So, let’s keep discovering, growing, and creating happiness, one step at a time. What does happiness mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

I pray you find happiness for the rest of your life, don’t forget to stay focus, find your own happiness by being your happiness. You deserve the world.

Till we meet again, please stay happy. Dropping the pen here. Much love from me to you all.

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Adejoke Ogundipe
Adejoke Ogundipe

Written by Adejoke Ogundipe

Tech innovator, finance strategist, and growth enthusiast—exploring ideas, building solutions, and inspiring change.

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