Factors of happiness

Why my factors of happiness are not the same as yours

In a previous article I published, I wrote about how your definition of happiness is as unique as you are yourself. What makes you happy doesn't necessarily make another person happy. In fact, your definition of happiness changes over time.
I've tracked my factors of happiness every single day for the last 10 years, so I know exactly how much this list of happiness factors changes. If I asked you right now to create your own top 10 biggest happiness factors, then you'll likely come up with something totally different as well.
Again, your definition of happiness is different than mine, so that means that your factors of happiness are also completely different. Think of your happiness definition as a flake of snow. No two snowflakes are the same. In a similar way, your personal happiness definition and the factors that influence it are unique.
Factors of happiness can be both positive and negative
It's important to know is that any happiness factor can be both positive and negative. For example, my work can either stress me out or make me feel productive and valued. Work can have positive and negative effects on my happiness. This is true for a lot of happiness factors.
And it is important to be aware of that.
Therefore, whenever I track my happiness and the happiness factors that influence it, I take the time to determine both the positive and the negative happiness factors.
If you scroll back up to the word cloud, you will notice that there are some happiness factors that sound very negative. Some examples of clear negative happiness factors:

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  Hangover.
  
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  Bored.
  
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  Headache.
  
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  Fever.
  
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  Pain.
  
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  Emotional instability.
  
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  Stress.
  
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  Anxiety.
  
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  Insomnia.
  
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  We all want to be happy. Period. In fact, I would argue that nearly everything we do, whether it’s working, marrying, running, or even filing our taxes is done with an overarching purpose: To feel happier.
  
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  Now, it’s not that we particularly enjoy all of these activities for their own sake, even though we might (and for some, we certainly should), but that we want to create certain feelings: Passion, excitement, purpose, love, excitement, relief, or any other emotion that makes us, well, happy.
  
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  Sadly, most people fail in their quest for happiness for one simple reason: They seek it where there is nothing to be found. Empty success, shallow pleasures, and immediate gratification seem to dominate our culture more and more, and so it’s time to ask:
  
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