We can all agree that reading a book on the beach, with the sun shining and the waves rolling in, just hits differently, right? Last summer, I stumbled upon the book Hector and the Search for Happiness. Actually, a friend lent it to me, so I had no expectations going in. But after just a few pages, it got me thinking a lot about what happiness really means… which, considering the title, isn’t all that surprising.
Let me give you a brief summary (don’t worry, no spoilers!)
The story follows Hector, a psychiatrist who realizes that many of his patients are unhappy, even though their lives seem fine from the outside. Wanting to understand happiness better, he sets off on a journey around the world, meeting different people and learning important lessons along the way. As Hector observes and interacts with people, he writes down different lessons about happiness.
The ones that stood out to me most are:
“Comparisons make people unhappy.”
My thoughts on this: How often do we scroll through social media and feel a little worse about our own lives? We see people traveling the world, getting promotions, or looking perfect in every picture, and suddenly our own lives don’t seem as exciting. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that others have it better. But the truth is, social media only shows the highlights. It doesn’t show the struggles, the bad days, or the moments of self-doubt. Real happiness comes from focusing on our own journey, appreciating what we have, and setting personal goals that matter to us rather than measuring ourselves against others.
“Happiness is being loved for who you are.”
My thoughts on this: Have you ever felt like you had to act a certain way to fit in? Maybe you toned down your personality, pretended to like something you didn’t, or held back your true feelings just to be accepted. The problem is, when we do that, even if people like us, they don’t really know the real us. True happiness comes from being surrounded by people who accept us as we are. Whether it’s family, close friends, or even an online community, feeling genuinely accepted gives us a sense of security and belonging that’s essential for happiness.
“Happiness is a way of looking at things.”
My thoughts on this: Have you ever had two people experience the exact same situation but react in completely different ways? One person might complain about a rainy day, while another sees it as the perfect excuse to stay in and watch movies. Our mindset plays a huge role in our happiness. Life is full of ups and downs, and while we can’t always control what happens to us, we can control how we respond. Choosing to see the positive, to find meaning in challenges, and to focus on what we do have rather than what we lack can completely change the way we experience life.
Happiness is something we all want, but sometimes it feels hard to find. I’ve always been curious about what truly makes people happy. When I see others laughing and smiling, I automatically connect it to happiness. But if we really think about it… does that actually mean they are happy? These lessons really made me reflect on my own life and how even small changes in perspective can make a big difference. It also inspired me to explore happiness more and share what I learn with others.
What’s next?
In this blog series, I’ll be diving deeper into what makes life happier, including:
-
Myths about happiness
- Why strong relationships are key to happiness
- Small daily habits that can improve our mood
💬What about you? Have you read this book or something similar that made you reflect on happiness?
👉🏼I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments!
