The hottest Happiness Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Making the Mark

Finding Joy β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jul 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Success is a highly individual construct and it's important to define it for yourself.
  2. Measure your success based on internal factors more than external circumstances.
  3. True success involves who you are as a person, not just what you achieve.

Wealth, Trauma, Splendor - Introduction

Inland Nobody β€’ 80 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 25
πŸ“– Philosophy Happiness
  1. Happiness is the ultimate goal in life, and it takes many paths to achieve it. Finding what brings you joy is a personal journey.
  2. Wealth is important, not just as money, but as having enough resources to help others and improve lives. The more resources we have, the more good we can do.
  3. Decreasing trauma and increasing joy in life, or 'splendor', are key to personal and societal happiness. Every small effort counts in making the world a better place.

The hungry ghost of arrival bias

Mindset Mastery β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 10 Apr 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Feelings of being behind or not reaching a destination are common but often based on a misleading concept of arrival bias.
  2. Arrival bias leads us to believe that reaching certain milestones will bring fulfillment, but in reality, there is no ultimate destination that guarantees happiness.
  3. Happiness and satisfaction come from appreciating the small moments along the journey rather than fixating on reaching a specific 'there.'
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How to have attitude of gratitude

The Self Mastery Times β€’ 6 HN points β€’ 25 Jun 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. It's important to pause and appreciate what we have instead of constantly chasing what we don't have. This shift in mindset can lead to becoming more optimistic.
  2. Practicing gratitude can be a powerful tool in enhancing our outlook on life and attracting positivity. It's like a superpower we all possess.
  3. Taking time to acknowledge and express gratitude daily can have a transformative effect on our lives, making us more thankful and resilient in the face of challenges.

The aim of maximising happiness is doomed to fail as a public policy

Optimally Irrational β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 27 Nov 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Happiness
  1. Aiming to make everyone happy through public policy might not work. Happiness is not a simple thing that can just be increased.
  2. People adapt to their situations quickly, which means that any increase in happiness usually fades back to a normal level. This makes it hard to keep happiness growing over time.
  3. Happiness is often more about feeling good in the moment than about long-term goals. People might even choose challenging paths because they bring deeper satisfaction, rather than just chasing fleeting feelings of joy.

Happiness and the pursuit of a good and meaningful life

Optimally Irrational β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 13 Nov 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Happiness
  1. Happiness is more than just pleasure. It's about living a good life that includes strong relationships and a sense of purpose.
  2. We often face trade-offs in life, like choosing between immediate pleasures and long-term goals. Balancing these can lead to greater life satisfaction.
  3. Finding meaning in life often comes from contributing to others and building connections, rather than just chasing personal happiness.

The Happiness Paradox

The Ruffian β€’ 288 implied HN points β€’ 13 May 23
🎭️ Culture Happiness
  1. Happiness is more complex than we think and modern culture acknowledges.
  2. TV shows like _Succession_ and _White Lotus_ highlight the struggle for happiness in a world that caters to wants more than needs.
  3. Gender can play a role in determining happiness according to scientific literature.

The happiness series β€” What makes us happy?

10x your mind β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 20 Oct 22
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Achieving the flow state involves becoming fully engrossed in an activity, disconnecting from the outside world, and losing track of time and place.
  2. Feeling one with oneself is essential for attaining the flow state, and it involves letting go of self-doubt and enjoying the experience without limitations.
  3. Having a certain level of expertise, a clear goal, and feedback are prerequisites for entering the flow state, while self-growth through constant improvement leads to more rewarding experiences.

Bite-Sized Self-Care Challenge Day 17

QUALITY BOSS β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Smiling can help boost your mood and happiness, even if you have to fake it sometimes. It’s a simple way to feel a bit better.
  2. Taking a moment to smile, whether you have a reason or not, can be a fun self-care activity. It's okay if you don’t feel like smiling; you can choose another self-care idea instead.
  3. There’s some debate about whether fake smiles really improve your mood, but trying to smile can still be a good step towards feeling better.

Are you truly happy?

10x your mind β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 27 Oct 22
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Finding happiness is not just about engaging work, but also about enjoying life, finding satisfaction, and having a sense of purpose
  2. The three macros of happiness are enjoyment, satisfaction, and purpose - strive to balance these for true happiness
  3. To foster long-term happiness, focus on nurturing relationships, whether with a spouse or close friends, and redefine success beyond money and fame

Perhaps You Should Quit Your High-Paying, Stressful Job

antoniomelonio β€’ 77 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Happiness
  1. Consider reevaluating the pursuit of high-paying, stressful jobs and reflect on what truly brings happiness.
  2. Question the societal emphasis on material wealth and the concept of 'conspicuous consumption' as measures of success.
  3. Examine the value of work that contributes meaningfully to society, prioritize personal well-being over societal expectations, and explore simpler ways of living for greater happiness.

Why It's Important to Be Happy: an Instruction for Empaths

Tessa Fights Robots β€’ 35 implied HN points β€’ 21 Oct 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. It's important to prioritize your own happiness; you are not a sacrifice for others. Taking care of yourself allows you to genuinely help others too.
  2. Feeling the pain of others can lead to self-destructive behavior. It's better to find a balance where you can support others without losing yourself.
  3. Real love and healing come from within. Being happy and nurturing yourself empowers you to contribute positively to the world.

Bad ending ruined it all 😀 β€” Peak-end rule

10x your mind β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 28 Jul 22
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. The peak-end rule affects how we remember experiences, focusing on extreme moments and endings rather than duration.
  2. We tend to prioritize memories over current experiences, leading to flawed perceptions of happiness and decision-making based on past events.
  3. To be happier, focus on active leisure, spending time with loved ones, being present in the moment, and maximizing activities that bring joy while minimizing those that don't.

The Joy in Not Taking the Photo

Humanities in Revolt β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 25 Aug 21
🎭️ Culture Happiness
  1. The best moments in life often come from spontaneity and cannot be fully captured or preserved by taking photos.
  2. Living in the moment and being fully present can bring a deeper sense of joy and fulfillment than trying to possess and capture every experience through photos.
  3. Photographs can serve as reminders of past experiences, but the truest joy comes from immersing oneself in the present moment and cultivating a love for spontaneity.

What I really miss in retirement

Ben’s Blog πŸ‰ πŸ§ πŸ§‘β€πŸ’» β€’ 40 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Being part of a team striving towards a common goal brings a sense of purpose and fulfillment in retirement.
  2. Belonging to a community or family and contributing to something greater than oneself is vital for health and happiness.
  3. Connecting with others and slowing down to be part of a team can lead to long-term satisfaction, unlike pursuing individual success hastily.

Questions Lead to the Good Life

Castles in the Sky β€’ 48 implied HN points β€’ 06 Aug 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Happiness
  1. Seek psychological richness by embracing novel experiences and complex perspectives.
  2. Psychological richness is distinct from happiness and meaning, but can lead to a good life.
  3. Living with uncertainty and focusing on questions can bring richness to life beyond mere happiness or meaning.

At the fairs

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 08 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Happiness
  1. It's important to change how we think about not-knowing. Instead of seeing it as a bad thing, we can view it as a chance to be curious and explore new ideas.
  2. Dealing with not-knowing isn't about getting rid of it but learning to accept and work with it. This helps us adapt and discover new opportunities.
  3. Slowing down and reflecting can be beneficial, especially in a fast-paced world. Taking time to think helps us understand what truly matters.

Between human and non-human

The Strategy Toolkit β€’ 43 implied HN points β€’ 21 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Happiness
  1. The post discusses the relationship between human and non-human entities in the context of philosophy and strategy.
  2. Individuals running companies and organizations are influenced by philosophy, guiding decision-making and strategy.
  3. Philosophical concepts such as consciousness, free will, morality, and value play a crucial role in strategy and decision-making.

Discovering True Happiness: A Journey Beyond the Hedonic Treadmill

Anima Mundi β€’ 41 implied HN points β€’ 30 Apr 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Happiness
  1. The hedonic treadmill keeps us chasing fleeting pleasures, leading to stress and emptiness.
  2. True happiness, as Krishnamurti believed, stems from self-awareness and embracing the full spectrum of human experience.
  3. To cultivate true happiness, focus on self-awareness, meaningful activities, accepting discomfort, and pursuing knowledge and profound experiences.

On happiness

Austin's Analects β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 16 Jun 21
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Happiness comes from defining what it means to you and taking steps to create more of it.
  2. Identify the drivers of your happiness and prioritize time management to increase joy.
  3. Building assets can lead to freedom and more happiness; focus on generating capital through agency building and selling products.

Happiness Is a Choice

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards β€’ 9 implied HN points β€’ 24 Nov 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Happiness comes from within, not from external things like money or success. It’s important to realize that your mindset can change how you feel about what happens in life.
  2. People often seek therapy to find happiness, but true contentment is about how you choose to respond to life’s challenges. How you view and react to problems is key.
  3. Praying for the ability to accept outcomes gracefully can lead to happiness, regardless of those outcomes. It’s about finding peace in what life gives you, not stressing over what you want.

Acceptance

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards β€’ 7 implied HN points β€’ 22 Dec 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Happiness
  1. It's important to accept things we cannot change, like other people's beliefs, because trying to change them can lead to frustration. Just accept people as they are.
  2. We can only control our own happiness and responses to situations, not the world or others around us. Focusing on ourselves may bring more fulfillment.
  3. Small changes in life are more manageable and effective than trying to achieve big changes. Embracing acceptance can help us deal with challenges better.

The Suicidal Founder

Reboot β€’ 32 implied HN points β€’ 15 Apr 23
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Founders often face mental health challenges such as depression and suicidal ideation.
  2. The tech startup culture in San Francisco can foster a sense of loneliness and intense pressure for success.
  3. It's crucial for founders to prioritize their well-being and not sacrifice everything for their startup's success.

Comparison is the thief of joy

andrewglynch β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 22 Oct 24
πŸ“– Philosophy Happiness
  1. Comparing yourself to others can make you feel unhappy, but it's important to focus on your own journey. Everyone has their own challenges and joys that you can't see.
  2. You should measure your success against your own goals and values, not against what others have achieved. It's about your personal growth and happiness.
  3. At the end of the day, what matters is if you're content with your life and how you treat others. Finding joy in your own path is what's truly important.

Rabbit Holes #61 πŸŽ„

Creative Destruction β€’ 5 implied HN points β€’ 20 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Happiness
  1. The story of Santa Claus may have origins in rituals of the Sami people, including psychedelic mushrooms and shamanic healings.
  2. Rituals are powerful tools to regain agency in a world that feels out of control and can shape our lives and communities.
  3. Shift the focus from achieving goals to a culture of learning, as it offers long-lasting emotional and psychological benefits.

Of Monster and Utilitarians

Sam’s Newsletter β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 27 Mar 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Happiness
  1. It's impossible to accurately compare the happiness or utility levels of different individuals.
  2. The concept of a 'utility monster' suggests that if we could compare utility, an entity could justify taking disproportionate resources.
  3. The existence of a 'utility monster' is refuted by the fact that we cannot objectively measure absolute utility levels.

Wealth

Aliens of New York β€’ 3 implied HN points β€’ 17 Mar 24
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. True happiness comes from the relationships we cultivate and the love we share with others, not from material possessions or wealth.
  2. Simplicity and authenticity can bring a sense of connection and love that is often missed in a life focused on acquiring possessions and status.
  3. Community and belonging play a significant role in one's sense of happiness and fulfillment, which can sometimes be lacking in a lifestyle centered around material wealth.

#27 Books: The Almanack of Naval Ravikant

Atomic Learnings β€’ 4 implied HN points β€’ 10 Mar 23
πŸ“š Literature Happiness
  1. To build wealth, combine specific knowledge with leverage over a long time with smart and trustworthy people.
  2. Focus on physical, mental, and spiritual health for happiness, which cannot be bought.
  3. The Almanack of Naval Ravikant contains valuable wisdom on wealth and happiness, and it's free to read.

Sα»‘ng vui

ThΓ‘i | Hacker | Kα»Ή sΖ° tin tαΊ·c β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 09 Oct 13
πŸ₯ Health & Wellness Happiness
  1. Elizabeth Smart's mother's advice to be happy and move forward after a traumatic experience is powerful and can help in healing and taking control back.
  2. Choosing to focus on being positive and moving forward in life can be a strong response to difficult situations.
  3. Despite challenges, finding humor and looking ahead to a new day can help maintain a positive outlook.