The secret to happiness is sharing, trusting and believing

Happiness isn't an accident. We build it. It's not the euphoria of winning a lottery, but the contentment that comes from a set of things that make us happy.

- Dr Ali A Smith

We know a lot about how to generate happiness. What's surprising about happiness is that given what we know, it would seem possible for most people to achieve happiness.

In the years since COVID, we have mostly achieved anxiety and unhappiness. We all told each other about how we felt connected to what made us happy during COVID. We indicated that kindness was important. “Be kind” seemed emblazoned everywhere. So, what happened?

It's easier to look at what makes us happy before trying to understand what went wrong. The happiest countries aren't the wealthiest, they are the most equitable. Northern European countries have high tax, extensive redistribution of wealth and the greatest happiness. The point is that money makes us happy, but only to a point. Once we have enough it doesn't continue to make us more happy.