I think I tend more towards trying not to be unhappy.. Most of the things I do are driven negatively by a fear of chaos and proactive avoidance of stress, and positively by a desire to achieve and be organised. Happiness doesn't consciously factor in very often.

For most of my life I don't think I have been overly happy, but I've reached some decent depths of depression. Most of the time I'm 'just ok.'

I've been in some pretty dark places, so if I can be just ok, I'm happy with that. Oh hey, there you go. I guess I do try!

[–] absGeekNZ 3 points 1 year ago

LOL

I like these lite philosophical questions you ask.

I tend to think big thoughts often, it is just the way I am. I could be far more esoteric; but I digress.

Early in my "adulthood" I was very depressed, I flirted with ideas of suicide often. Until one day; I had been ignoring my health and was sick, but still went out drinking and parting with some friends. I was always looking for external validation. Next morning I was walking home sick, with shit running down my leg, hungover in the freezing rain in clothes that were not suited to being in the rain. I decided at that point that I was going to end it when I got home....suffice to say, the walk home helped clear my head.

I realized that always trying to be happy and chasing happiness didn't work for me. From then on I was still depressed, but got better surprisingly quickly.

[–] Dave 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I was reading a book referencing a study a while back, the study gave everyone pagers, and throughout the day and asked them to rate their happiness. What they found is that while you get a brief blip when you dog dies or you win lotto, regardless of your demographic it's not long before you're back rating happiness at 7/10. Rich or poor, young or old, stressed or lazy: 7/10.

It may have even been this book I read it in 😆

[–] absGeekNZ 2 points 1 year ago

About 20% through after lunch, if its in there I'll find it before long.