Is your happiness sustainable? I’m not talking about that rush of pleasure we get when things turn out the way we hope and expect. I’m also not taking about the giddy experience we get laughing with friends or the thrill of accomplishment that overtakes us when we get what we want. To me sustainable happiness is the sense of good and wellbeing that comes in the middle of the night when you are alone with your thoughts. It’s a deep and sustaining sense that you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, where you are supposed to be doing it, at exactly the right time in your life. And the good thing about finding it is that regardless of what is happening in our lives or circumstances, we can still count on it comforting us when the going gets tough.
Yet most of the time, most people tend to think of sustainability solely in terms of the environment. But sustainability, or lack of it, actually applies to everything we do. The word, by itself means balanced, durable, ongoing and self-sustaining. In fact, that’s a big reason why the letter “S” in SMART Living stands for sustainability. While I remain deeply committed to creating a more environmentally sustainable world, I also believe that awareness extends to an understanding that a truly happy life must be ongoing, balanced and enduring both within and around my life.
Of course I’m not the only one who cares about the topic. As a long-time reader and supporter of Yes! Magazine I was pleased when they recently offered a book entitled Sustainable Happiness: Live Simply, Live Well, Make a Difference. Filled with a variety of essays from distinguished authors, the book promotes a number of ways people can experience a more sustainable and “real” happiness in their lives. Plus there are other books, articles and even an online course available in the marketplace with a similar theme. But after reading a number of them, I wanted to add a more SMART approach to the subject. That’s why I came up with the following “signs” that I believe demonstrate a person who embraces sustainable happiness.
- Practices gratitude and celebrates what she has every single day of her life.
- Does her best to stay healthy in body, mind and soul.
- Knows how to love, forgive and be compassionate with herself and others as much as possible.
- Accepts and appreciates her body, her mind, her personality and her age as uniquely her own.
- Feel competent in her work and knows that her life has purpose and value.
- Feels like she has options and a level of control about important decisions in her life that positively affect her future.
- Values and cares for what she owns and avoids wasteful and disposable products and services.
- Recognizes that her worth has nothing to do with how much money she has, what she owns or what titles she possess.
- Recognizes the value of time and freedom, over productivity or material goods.
- Feels that she is a part of something bigger than herself.
Still, it is important to keep in mind that in order to have an experience of real happiness and wellbeing that is enduring and sustainable, it must extend out to other people and the world around you. And that’s where a more traditional perspective on sustainability comes into play because, as Sarah van Gelder says, “Sustainable happiness cannot be achieved at the expense of others.” That’s why the following signs are also important for sustainable happiness.
- Practices compassion and wholeheartedness as much as possible with other people, her community, and the world.
- Enjoys deep and satisfying relationships with other people and her community knowing that connection is an important aspect of a healthy and happy life.
- Has a certain degree of trust in her community and government, and feels relative safety on a regular basis.
- Recognizes that sustainable happiness is not possible when it comes at a cost to other people, the environment, or future generations.
- Realizes that helping others find good health, happiness and wellbeing adds to her own happiness and wellbeing every time.
What I happen to find exciting about the growing awareness of sustainable happiness is the fact that many of our leaders and governments are now taking it into account. Just a few years ago in 2011, the United Nations started the trend by adopting a resolution calling for all countries to increase the happiness of their inhabitants. The following year, the first World Happiness Report was completed along with the first UN Conference on Happiness.
Ever since that time, sustainable happiness has begun to be measured in countries around the world. Now, instead of most governments focusing solely on GDP (gross domestic product), a different measurement exists that takes the focus off production and money and instead puts it on the wellbeing, health and happiness of the people who live there and on what really matters. As David Cameron, Prime Minster of the U.K. said, “We will start measuring our progress as a country, not just by how our economy is growing, but by how are lives are improving. Not just by our standard of living, but by our quality of life.”
Of particular note are two trends that the World Happiness Report has highlighted in regards to sustainable happiness. One of them acknowledges that the health of a country’s citizens is dependent upon its mental health as much as its physical health. The other trend is the huge importance of connection and value of social relationships. Taking a focus off the excesses of a consumer-driven culture, and instead putting it on mental and emotional wellbeing, is a key to sustainable happiness.
I think most of us know this. Most of us know that once our basic needs are met, happiness has nothing to do with money. Sustainable Happiness also doesn’t depend on our age or how much stuff we own. But what we may not have realized is that The World Happiness Studies now have research showing that people who practice sustainability are actually happier than those who don’t. On the flip side of that, studies show that happier people go out of their way to take care of their environment. In other words, happy people take care of themselves, others and their planet. Sustainability and happiness are interconnected.
So, sure we might know this but if you’re anything like me, I want and need to be reminded of it on a regular basis. Real happiness, sustainable happiness is something I plan to experience my entire life and I wish that for others as well. The SMART approach is to remember, like the Happiness Research Institute shows, that when we start appreciating and doing our best to experience sustainable happiness, that extends out into the world and touches everyone and everything we encounter.
For more information about The World Happiness Report.
For more information about The Sustainable Happiness Report
Kathy, a friend just forwarded this to me. I am thrilled to find a like-minded person that I can enjoy posts from! This one on sustainable happiness is remarkable and one I practice, sometimes failing, but succeeding more and more. I am printing the lists to read over again and again. Thank you!!!
Hi Wynnette! Welcome! I’m so glad to meet you and glad you found this helpful. I don’t consider myself an expert on sustainable happiness but I do believe that reaching forward with intention helps move us toward whatever we seek. Thanks for coming by and sharing your thoughts. ~Kathy
I love that you’re talking not just about being happy, but how to sustain it, Kathy. I’m looking at the ‘signs’ and asking myself questions.
Can I suggest that you create a printable with the signs? I know I would like to have one on my wall – as a reminder.
Thank you for writing this post. I will be coming back to it from time to time.
Hi Corinne! What a great idea about the printable signs! I’ve seen lots of other blogs do that with some of their ideas and I just never thought about it before. Thank you! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, you’ve really hit the nail on the head with these lists, all of the points are what I live by. Sometimes I get the blues and need to give myself a nudge, usually in the form of a cry and a nap.
I’m not sure about the government side of things, I don’t understand politics, so don’t bother reading what they’re up to in the papers and tune out when they’re on TV. I know there’s a lot of people hurting here because of company/factory closures which equals many, many job losses. River
Hi River! I think the point that those into Sustainable Happiness are attempting to make when they point out the bit about the government is that statistics (particularly the World Happiness Report Surveys) show that people in countries where there is a lot of corruption and crime, that lowers the happiness and sense of wellbeing that the residents feel. While it’s easy to take that for granted in a country where things are reasonably well run and safe, it is entirely something different if you are afraid to go to sleep at night or can never count to people to say or do anything. I think the big thing to consider is that there are elements that affect us personally and then others that have a far wider reach. ~Kathy
I feel like I wish I had known how to be this happy in my younger life because as you said it has nothing to do with money. I spent a whole lot of years living for “tomorrow” when we had this or that. Great reminder Kathy!
Hi Rena! Don’t we ALL wish we had known this when we were younger!!!! But then don’t you think we probably did know most of us when we were little kids? Playing and being ourselves is one of the sure signs of sustainable happiness and I think young kids know that intuitively. Then we forget, then hopefully we do remember. ~Kathy
This one – Feels that she is a part of something bigger than herself – has been a game-changer for me! Also because it can be flipped to mean “you’re not alone,” and “we’ve got your back,” both of which are very comforting.
Hi Laura! I agree and think feeling part of something bigger than ourselves is such an important thing for us all. And yes, while I never thought about it that way, it does say, “you’re not alone,” and “we’ve got your back.” Thanks for adding that. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I don’t think I knew your last name until today. Nice reaction to your post.
I agree with #1 the most. If people feel sorry for themselves, they are told to count their daily blessings.
Janice
Hi Janice! I don’t try to be tricky with my last name but I feel strongly about letting people know about SMART Living 365 so that’s usually the way I sign my name. And YES! Feeling grateful and appreciative of the life we have been giving is a critical element to sustainable happiness! ~Kathy
Thank you for the eloquent reminder, Kathy. I will follow the tips and be more mindful of my own sustainable happiness.
Hi Pat! Thanks for bringing up the word mindful because it really needs to be included in any conversation about sustainable happiness. ~Kathy
it was nice to see that I could tick most of the boxes for sustainable happiness (not sure that would have been the case a few years ago – but I am a work in progress!) Great post Kathy and I’ll be continuing to work on the areas that I still need to invest more of myself in 🙂
Hi Leanne! I think most of us are works in progress from what I’ve witnessed in both myself and others. Still, it is something to shoot for wouldn’t you say? And I like what Abraham-Hicks says repeatedly, “It’s never be perfect and you’ll never get it done.” And as we all know, it’s the journey not the destination! ~Kathy
Happiness and sustainability are interconnected. I hadn’t looked at it that way, but I believe that to be true. Great info. Brenda
Hi Brenda! Yes I think it is important to remember in this day and age that happy and satisfied people take care of themselves, those they love and everything in their “world,” while unhappy people can do all sorts of disruptive things to themselves and others. Plus, although I do believe in personal responsibility, I also recognize that we are all here together and that the more we help others when we can, the better. That “interconnection” is a real key. ~Kathy
This is a beautiful and inspiring post, Kathy. Thanks for this important reminder. It’s encouraging to see large organizations recognizing happiness as a sustainable resource 🙂 Also important that government is recognizing mental health as important as physical health. It always starts with our own gratitude. LOVED this post.
Hi Lisa! Thank you for your encouragement. I know I’m mostly speaking to the choir but I certainly can use the reminder myself. And yes, it is great that some governments (not all by any means) are starting to consider how important mental health is as well. By supporting the World Happiness Institute and the work they are doing with the United Nations I hope this will grow and spread. ~Kathy
Kathy, I love the lists you’ve culled for sustainable happiness. In fact, I linked to the World Happiness Report in my own post yesterday – a solid 172 page document! I was thinking the same thing – how great it is that happiness is now being taken seriously by the government. Years ago, I read a wonderful article about Gross National Happiness. And loved it.
Thank you – I enjoyed your post very much!
Hi Vidya! Yes I have been following that World Happiness Report since it came out in 2012 and think it is filled with so many ideas about what leads to happiness and ways that we can really improve it for ourselves and others. And while some of it requires money as a solution, so much of it is a change of mindset more than anything. Once we all start recognizing things of real value, we will all benefit. And yes, isn’t the idea of a GNH so much better than a GDP? ~Kathy
I love both lists (“signs”) but especially the second grouping because it underlines the importance of maintaining a connection to others. Unfortunately, our connections often only extend to people and organizations that are in lock-step with our own beliefs and world-view. Sarah van Gelder’s list demonstrates the importance of acceptance, understanding, and empathy for those outside of our circle. Perhaps the promotion of sustainable happiness could have prevented many of our current tragedies.
Hi Janis! Actually both lists are my own but I did bounce off some of the ideas in the Sustainable Happiness book. And YES definitely, I also believe that sustainable happiness could prevent and ease so many of the world’s current tragedies. `Kathy
I too was excited to come across Sustainable Happiness and enjoyed it very much. I just recently realized the connection between happiness and sustainability but even in my youth saw that when people are not happy it results in negative behaviors that touch both those close to the person and the community. Take for instance a person unhappy because they are unemployed and can’t meet their bills. The jobs numbers tell us very little whereas the crime reports tell us much more. The more unemployment in a community the more thefts and even bank robberies will take place. It’s not solely because one is financially strapped that they result to theft it, in my view, is because they are comparing their situation to what they believe others have. This type of unhappiness leads to other behaviors such as overspending on cheap material goods or fast food both of which are anything but sustainable for the environment.
In a country that has such a huge income gap and people measure themselves against what others have it any wonder the US fails to score in the top ten in this year’s Happiness Report? If we want to increase the national average lets see that everyone has access to good food, equal education and the knowledge and access to services that will better our health. When we can do that we will see a huge increase in happiness and sustainability.
Hi Lois! I’m sure you’ve guessed that I agree with you on this. Unhappy people do all sorts of negative things to themselves, others and the environment around them because they have very little to lose. Take away someone’s options and they get desperate. The newspapers are full of unhappy stories like that. But then I think it’s important to point out that you don’t just fix this by throwing money at it. As you say, it has to do with a materialist culture that offers only superficial solutions to many of the big problems you raise. I’m personally convinced that until we address those root issues, there won’t be many changes made. ~Kathy
I think it’s also important to look at the activities we engage in that are “fun” and make us “happy.” Do they involve a lot of resource use, environmental impact, noise pollution? Are cruise ships really happiness producers with the amazing amount of trash that is generated (and often ends up in the very oceans that people are out there to admire)? What’s the impact of my love for jet skiing, snowmobiling, taking vacations in luxury hotels in exotic and environmentally precarious environments…you get the idea.
Hi Annette! I think you bring up some valid points but I also know that far too many people tend to think of “sacrifice” and giving up stuff goes hand-in-hand with sustainability. So I’m hoping by reworking the word and linking it to living in a more holistic way (with or without cruise ships!) that people will begin to just make better choices rather than eliminate things. As you say, EVERYTHING we do has an impact on the environment but I think most of us are more motivated when we do something out of love and appreciation than out of a list of rules. ~Kathy
Lovely post, Kathy. Sometimes I question whether it is wise for me to sit and write my novel over and over again. But it stimulates my brain, makes me feel worthwhile and I have the time. Most days I feel happy, that giddy and our of control happy, but quietly peaceful. Thanks.
Hi Beth! I think it’s important to remember that because we are all so different, that different things can make us happy and content. If writing anything makes you feel good, then doing it whenever and as much as you want is perfect in my opinion. Advertisers and others with something to sell would have us all believe that the only way to be happy is to buy what they are selling, but I’ll bet most of the time just the simple pleasures in life are what most of us crave. Thanks for checking in on this. ~Kathy
Beth–as a fellow novelist, I just had to respond 🙂 I think we all feel that way at times. Writing fiction especially is a true labor of love, and doesn’t it just sometimes seem like folly? Especially if we fall into capitalistic thinking.
But you identified the magic formula for any artist–it stimulates the brain and makes us feel worthwhile. Which is what happens when we’re on purpose.
Thank you for your comments and thank you, Kathy, for another great post!
http://www.susanmarymalone.com/there-is-a-light-at-the-end-of-this-tunnel/
Amazing and Interesting article Kathy. It’s absolutely, right that sustainability brings real happiness. If you are sustainable automatically get happy. Thank you for sharing this fruitful article.
Hi Amin! I do think it is important for us all to start thinking about sustainability as how it relates to everything in our lives. Hopefully this short article will help us all remember that a little more often…besides that…it’s SMART! ~Kathy