Recently, I’ve been asking some old friends a simple question: Are you happy?

The answers were what you’d expect—some are content, some aren’t but remain hopeful, and others aren’t happy at all.

It got me thinking about what happiness even means anymore. Sometimes it feels like we’re living in a time where happiness is harder to reach than it should be.

I’m not trying to be cynical. I’m just a girl who is constantly searching for happiness.

Right now, I think I’m closer to contentment than happiness.

But it took a lot of time, effort, and reflection to get here

For me, happiness looks like freedom. It’s being able to live without constant anxiety over bills, rent, or car payments. I keep asking myself: Am I working to live, or only living to work? Lately, the second one feels a little too true.

I know happiness looks different for everyone, but it’s hard to ignore how many people are struggling. Rent keeps rising, wages often don’t, and even doing everything “right” can still leave people exhausted. It feels like hard work is expected, but rarely honored.

That’s what makes happiness feel distant for so many people.

So how do we find it?

For me, it starts with realizing I can let go of some of the things I was taught to chase. A fancy apartment. A newer car. More stuff. More status.

What I really want is freedom to move, explore, breathe.

Making enough to live simply while hiking the Swiss Alps sounds more fulfilling to me than grinding endlessly for wealth I don’t even care about.

I don’t need abundance. I need peace.

And maybe happiness isn’t always found in having more.
Maybe sometimes it’s found in needing less.

So I’ll the question again…

Are you Happy? If not… how will you pursue it?