Happiness - it's something we all want, yet often struggle to define. If you’ve found yourself asking, “What makes us happy?” you are one of many that ask just that same thing!  In fact, this question is one of the most frequently searched online terms, revealing just how many of us are on a journey to understand what true happiness really means.

What Makes Us Happy? The Truth About happiness, the Meaning, and Everyday Moments

So, what does make us happy? Is it success? Money? Relationships? Travel? Surprisingly, the answer isn’t so straightforward but it's this that makes it so fascinating. Let’s explore the key drivers of happiness, backed by research, and how you can use this knowledge to build a more joyful, balanced life.

1. Happiness Is Subjective And That’s a Good Thing

The first and most important truth: happiness is deeply personal. What brings joy to one person may not even register for another. For some, happiness stems from achievement and recognition. For others, it’s rooted in quiet moments, creative expression, or meaningful service. Your version of happiness is valid because it reflects your own values, personality, and life experiences. This is why happiness is best seen not as a fixed destination or end goal, but as a state of being that evolves over time.

2. The Science Behind Happiness: What Research Tells Us

Psychologists and neuroscientists have studied happiness for decades, and while there's no one-size-fits-all formula, research consistently points to several core ingredients:

Positive Relationships:  Having strong social connections is one of the most reliable predictors of long-term happiness. People who feel supported by family and friends are generally healthier, live longer, and report greater life satisfaction.

Purpose and Meaning: Doing things that feel meaningful whether it’s raising children, helping others, or working toward a goal gives our lives a sense of direction and fulfillment.

Autonomy and Control: Feeling like we have a choice in how we live our lives contributes significantly to our wellbeing. Even small decisions such as choosing what to eat, or how to spend your Sunday, matter.

Gratitude and Mindfulness: Regularly focusing on what’s going well, rather than what’s missing, helps retrain the brain toward positivity. Daily gratitude and mindfulness practices also reduce stress and increase contentment.

Physical Health and Rest: Quality sleep, regular exercise, and a nourishing diet all contribute to better moods, emotional regulation, and resilience.

3. The Myth of More: Why External Success Isn’t Always the Answer

We live in a culture that often equates happiness with having more!  More money, more success, more things. But studies show that after basic needs are met, more income or material possessions only offer temporary boosts in happiness.

This is known as the hedonic treadmill - we adapt quickly to external changes, and our happiness levels return to a baseline. That’s why true joy often comes not from what we accumulate, but how we experience what we already have.

4. Life Balance: The Often Overlooked Secret to Happiness

One of the most underestimated elements of happiness is life balance, especially the harmony between work, personal life, and self-care. When we’re overwhelmed, burnt out, or disconnected from loved ones, even the most exciting achievements can feel hollow. Prioritising a balance between effort and rest, doing and being, striving and simply enjoying, can dramatically improve emotional wellbeing.

Work-life balance, in particular, gives us room to recharge, reflect, and show up fully in every area of life.

5. Everyday Moments Matter Most

Here’s perhaps the most comforting takeaway and understanding that happiness lives in the ordinary. What makes us happy can be as simple as small acts such as these:

These moments are the building blocks of a happy life. When we slow down enough to notice them, we realise happiness isn’t waiting at the end of some big milestone, it’s right here, happening already.

what makes us happy is not a universal checklist

The answer to “What makes us happy” isn't a universal checklist, it's a personal invitation. An invitation to explore what resonates with you and makes you feel good and the chance to prioritise balance, health, and presence - and above all, to trust that happiness doesn’t come from perfection, it comes from being fully present in the moments that matter.

References:

World Happiness Report
Washington Post
Personal Wellbeing