"Le bonheur ne pose jamais son doigt sur son pouls"

Happiness is a funny thing. When you're truly happy, you don't sit there constantly analyzing it or trying to figure out why. You’re just in the moment, enjoying life. Essentially, happiness doesn’t scrutinize itself.

Think of it this way: when you're caught up in a belly laugh with friends, you're not thinking about why you're happy. You’re just laughing. The same goes for moments of contentment, like reading a good book on a rainy day. It’s only when you start questioning whether you’re happy that the feeling begins to slip away.

This idea has roots in both philosophy and psychology. Philosophers like Aristotle and Epicurus talked about happiness as a byproduct of living well rather than a goal to be constantly chased. Psychologists say that the more we focus on being happy, the less happy we often become. It’s like sand slipping through your fingers—the tighter you grasp, the more you lose.

Let’s get real with an example. Picture Jane, a young woman who loves painting. She gets lost in her art for hours, completely absorbed. She’s not thinking about happiness; she’s just in the zone, that magical flow state. Then, one day, she starts wondering whether painting truly makes her happy. She begins to scrutinize each brushstroke, questioning her skills and the value of her work. The more she focuses on this, the more her joy dwindles. Her once spontaneous and joyful activity becomes loaded with anxiety.

So, how can you apply this nugget of wisdom in your own life? Stop overthinking happiness. Focus on activities that naturally engage and fulfill you. Whether it’s gardening, playing an instrument, or cooking, let yourself get lost in the process. Pay attention to how you feel during these activities, but don’t obsess over whether they make you “happy.” The irony is, the less you worry about happiness, the more likely you are to experience it.

Imagine a relatable scenario: you and your friends plan a picnic. You’re all excited, preparing your favorite snacks, picking a scenic spot, and cracking jokes. The day comes, and you’re all there, soaking up the sun, sharing stories, and just being together. No one’s sitting there thinking, “Am I happy right now?” You just are. You're in the moment, enjoying the company and the simple pleasures.

On the flip side, think about a time when you were constantly checking if you were having a good time. Maybe it was a vacation you’d built up in your mind as the “trip of a lifetime.” Every moment, you were assessing if it was living up to your expectations. Were you really happy? Probably not as much as you’d hoped. That constant evaluation got in the way.

In the end, happiness is about letting go. Don’t put it under a microscope. Engage fully in the things you love, and let happiness come to you naturally. Let it be a byproduct of living a life filled with passion and presence, not a goal under constant surveillance.