Can pursuing happiness make us less happy?
Scientific litsketch on boosting mental health
There is a danger in the pursuit of happiness.
Research shows that when we are obsessed with maximising our happiness, we in fact feel less happy as a result (Schwartz et al., 2002). When you are always looking for the best choice in everything (e.g. choosing the best movies, the best restaurants, the best cafes, the best holiday etc) to the extent that you find it difficult to choose, then you are a maximiser. Maximisers feel less happy, less optimistic, less satisfied, but more regretful and depressed than those who do not always look for the best option but rather look for a good enough option.
In an experiment, people who are maximisers were identified by asking questions like whether they have a hard time finding clothing they really love when shopping etc. Next, they were asked to recall the most recent item they purchased and measured how happy and how regretful they were with the purchase.
The results showed that maximisers felt less happy but more regretful with their recent purchase. Sure, those who always want better things in life may achieve more things in life, get a better education, get a better job etc. But we need to be mindful that always wanting the best option can make us less happy. Rather than always trying to find the best option, learn to take a good enough option and feel grateful for every opportunity and choice you get in life.
As the research shows, there is wisdom in letting go rather than clinging to the best choice in every decision you make.
There is definitely a hidden value of being content in any and every situation, being grateful for every choice you get rather than always wanting the best option.
Schwartz, Barry, Andrew Ward, John Monterosso, Sonja Lyubomirsky, Katherine White, and Darrin R. Lehman. "Maximizing versus satisficing: happiness is a matter of choice." Journal of personality and social psychology 83, no. 5 (2002): 1178.