I have noticed that as time passes, my definition and my views about what happiness is changed over time.
HAPPINESS IN YOUTH
What made you happy when you were young?
I believe when we were younger, it actually took very little to make us happy. A family trip to the beach, my Mom's smile, or a new toy made me giddy.
As a teen, going to a party with my friends or buying a new dress had me stoked. If a boy I liked just looked my way, I was skipping the rest of the day. You get the idea. :)
When you're young it seems like everything is new and exciting.
HAPPINESS AS YOUNG ADULTS
How did you feel in your 20′s and 30′s?
In my 20′s, I was finding my way as a young mother and as a entrepreneur. Giving birth to my son brought me unbounded joy.
But by the time I hit my 30′s, I wanted more a balanced life. The thrill of the moment wasn't everything to me. Sometimes happiness was a quiet evening with a glass of wine and being by your side your love one at the end of the day.
You may have had similar experiences. Young adults are usually busy chasing success and starting a family. Then they try to find happiness by pursuing balance and stability.
The practical side of life - being able to pay the mortgage and finding enough time to juggle responsibilities - often becomes important to your state of mind as you move into middle age.
A REVEALING STUDY OF BLOGGERS
In an interesting study, social psychologist Jennifer Aaker-with her colleagues Cassie Mogilner and Sep Kamvar - analyzed 12 million personal blogs. Specifically, they were interested in seeing what kinds of emotions bloggers of various ages mentioned when they talked about feeling "happy."
What did they discover?
"We found that younger bloggers described experiences of happiness as being times when they felt excited, ecstatic, or elated - the way you feel when you're anticipating the joys the future will bring - like finding love, getting ahead at work, or moving to a new town," Aaker explained.
"Older bloggers were more inclined to describe happy experiences as moments of feeling peaceful, relaxed, calm, or relieved - the way you feel when you're getting along with your spouse, staying healthy and able to make your mortgage payments," she added. "This kind of happiness is less about what lies ahead, and more about being content in your current circumstances."
Evidently, as you age, you seek out a more tranquil, peaceful, and relaxed kind of happiness compared to the excitement you found so gratifying in your youth. Happiness becomes more about contentment.
What has been your happiest age so far? Has your definition changed, as you've gotten older?
The study is interesting. However, in conclusion I'd like to leave you with this thought. The answer to "when were you the happiest" should always be "now". If that isn't your answer, examine your life and make the necessary changes so you can live in the present and experience life to its fullest potential.