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Our Pursuit Of Happiness

What does it mean to be happy in 2016?

Michaela McMillan

Sep 20, 2016

Tufts University

flickr.com

Webster's dictionary defines happiness as, "a feeling pleasure and enjoyment because of your life, situation, etc."

It's no secret that different things make different people happy. For some it's money, for others, it's family. This week I decided to step out of my comfort zone and find out what makes the average Bostonian truly happy. The question simply was, what is your definition of happiness? Their responses went far beyond materialistic things or even friends and family.

"My definition of happiness is having that warm fuzzy feeling and mental satisfaction knowing that just for a moment, everything is okay and looking up." RV, 18

" Dogs. Sunlight. Warm hugs. Rainy days. Babies. Soup." CB, 18

"Happiness is to love truly and truly be loved." AA, 17"Happiness doesn't have to be a big, overwhelming feeling. It can be, and usually is, a soft sort of satisfied feeling where for a minute, an hour, whatever time, you feel just simply good on the inside." ZH, 18

"Happiness is a state of mind. You don't need something good to happen to be happy. It is a feeling that you can control if you have the right positive outlook on life. Every moment can be a happy moment." CB, 18

"Happiness is freedom." SL, 18

"Family, friends, & sleep." SY, 18

Of all the millennials I spoke with, the vast majority of them seemed to agree that happiness is not necessarily and overwhelming or long lasting sensation; but rather something that is experienced in a moment. With this in mind, I took my question to the next generation.

"Happiness is when I get through the morning without one of my children peeing their pants- which is rare." LC, 34

"Happiness is seeing my wife smile." DD, 42

"I'm happiest when my kids are proud of me, when they see what I do and it inspires them." JD, 46

"I'm happiest when I see my kids succeed." AK, 45

This generations happiness is filled not with their own successes, but watching the ones they love succeed. Finally I took my question to a generation who experienced happiness before any of the millennials I spoke with were born.

"Happiness is seeing all my kids, my kids kids, and my kids kids kids, smiling- its doesn't happen very often." EF, 76

"Happiness is when you smile, thats all." EG, 79

"I'm happy when I can look back at the memories I've made and realize that even though I may not have accomplished everything I wanted to, I've had a great life." LH, 84

So no matter the generation, everyone seems to agree, your own happiness is whatever you choose it to be, and it lies in your hands. So live in the now and do whatever makes you smile. Because although happiness may only last for a moment, its a moment worth while.

Stay Golden, Kayla

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Our Pursuit Of Happiness

What does it mean to be happy in 2016?

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No matter how old you are.

1. Build a snowman

2. Start a snowball fight

3. Build a fort

4. Binge-watch Netflix

4. Look out the window

5. Grab coffee with a friend

6. Complete school or office work

7. Sleep

8. Read a book

9. Bake cookies

10. Drink hot cocoa

11. Go ice skating

12. Take a Walk

"I don't want to do things. I want to not do things."

1. When you look at the syllabus and realize there are only three weeks of the semester left; even though the first day was LITERALLY yesterday.

2. You look at your grades and realize they probably aren't as high as they should be, which is a terrifying realization.

3. When you think to yourself at night, "tomorrow, I will wake up early and go to the library ALL day, and, hell, maybe after I'll go to the gym for a little bit, just to push myself that extra mile."

4. Tomorrow actually comes. The inevitable and overpowering sense of procrastination is too strong to overcome.

5. But you DO end up going to the library. Not all day though, but still, a while. But no, you do not go to the gym. Still, you made an effort, so you decide to treat yo' self.

6. When you realize you need to schedule a meeting with your adviser because you need to sign up for classes next semester. But you also realize that since you waited until the last minute, you're going to get stuck with all of the crappy classes.

7. When you low-key try to slip into conversation with your professors that you need extra credit because you're that desperate.

8. When it's already the third time you've seen your adviser in two days because you have no damn clue what you're doing and need all the help you can get.

9. When you apply for a job associated with your major even though you have no experience, but you just want to dive headfirst into the deep end of adulthood and get it over with.

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

1. Figuring out when to start

2. Searching through list after list to get everything you need

3. Shopping for deals

4. Getting bins to put everything in

5. Figuring what you can’t live without

6. Going through clothes to find what you need

7. Finding out your siblings took something from you

8. Fighting with your parents.

9. Trying to plan things with your roommate

10. The fear of forgetting something

11. Move in day

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

1. When you fail that midterm you studied so hard for.

2. When your crush finally texts back.

3. When payday comes around.

4. When you accidentally like someone's picture from 108 weeks ago.

5. When someone takes your unassigned assigned seat.

6. When your favorite character in your favorite TV series dies.

7. When that guy/girl you’ve been crushing on agrees to go on a date with you.

8. When you have so much to do, and such little motivation to do it.

9. When someone asks for your last fry.

10. When you try a new health-food craze.

11. When you get new clothing.

12. When you check your bank account.

13. When they're serving good food in the dining hall.

14. When someone tries to tell you what to do.

15. Or just your thoughts about life in general.

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