Have you ever asked yourself;
“What makes me happy?”
“How can I be happier?”
“How do I answer to the question, ‘what makes you happy?'”
I mean, it’s only natural to ask ourselves these questions.
More often than not, we are more bothered about finding the next opportunity to make money or whining about a slow growth with business, inability to make things work, losing opportunities and more.
Over the years, we have planted our happiness on what we can achieve. We are literally spending most of our time pursuing material things that we believe can make us live a good life. These things make us forget to enjoy life.
It is great to shoot for the best, but then, we shouldn’t suffer. Stop going through hell hoping to reward yourself in the future — you need to unlearn this, we all need to.
Jump to best answer to “what makes you happy interview question”
What makes me happy?
Do you know?
You are likely to go speechless if you ask yourself “what makes me happy?” or when anyone asks you “what makes you happy?” Not surprising! There are so many answers until you have to give a response!
I threw the question at myself and I wasn’t able to give a genuine answer without pushing in career and money.
Why is it so difficult to answer such a simple question?
For a minute, I didn’t know what to say to myself, and the next minute, I was ready to fix in just anything that might make me happy.
The closest answer I could think of was achieving a goal. But this achievement births a new goal and the cycle continues. I don’t want my happiness tied to my achievements – not anymore.
Sometimes, we feel that meeting our financial goal makes us happy, but in reality, we reward ourselves with more financial goals.
Why is it difficult to know what makes you happy?
“What makes me happy” is one of the hardest questions to ask yourself and here’s why; YOU ARE HUMAN, and humans are insatiable.
What makes you happy at this moment may not move a muscle the next. So, the answer to the question is subjective because we never have the right answer.
We may not have the right answers for what makes us happy, but we can navigate to a more comely side of life, away from our jobs and career expectations
What is the best answer to “what makes you happy?”
There is no definitive answer to “what makes you happy.” It is a simple question with a not so simple answer. However, for some people, it might be:
- Spending time with loved ones.
- Experiencing new and exciting things.
- Achieving personal goals.
- Lending a helping hand to others.
Even with the above hints, I couldn’t craft a better answer.
Here’s why we can’t provide a definite answer to the question “what makes you happy.”
Happiness is a complex and nuanced emotion that is different for everyone.
What is my answer to the question?
While I may not have the right answers to the question, I developed 5 habits that will give me an edge, helping me maintain peace with happiness.
1. I learned to take care of my physical health by getting enough exercise and good food.
2. I spend time with people I love and enjoy being with — via call or physical meet, which I recommend.
Spending quality time spent with those we care about is essential to our happiness. This may sound cliché, but being around the people you love is everything.
3. I take more time off to reflect on my happiest moments.
Sometimes, we need the nostalgia. Reminiscing about beautiful memories take us down that happy lane. I make some of these moments into poems because I enjoy writing. Revisiting them often gives me little happiness boosts.
4. I have made it a mantra to remind myself not to tie my happiness to the things I hope to achieve.
While this is not an excuse to stay lazy, it’s an opportunity to give yourself permission to be happy. Being happy is a good thing and we shouldn’t deprive ourselves of living.
5. I enjoy staying indoors, but I must confess; confining yourself to a spot does more harm than good.
There’s something about getting some fresh air; it helps us release stress and feel better. I have made it a habit to leave the comfort of my room and step outside even if it’s for a few minutes.
10 qualifying answers to “what makes you happy”
Finding purpose and meaning
Finding purpose and meaning is an important aspect of happiness. When answering the question, “What makes you happy?” try to delve deeper and think about the things that give you a sense of purpose.
Taking the time to identify and pursue activities that align with your values and passions can help you lead a more meaningful and happy life.
Achieving personal goals
Achieving personal goals is one of the key factors that contribute to the feeling of genuine happiness. Goals provide direction and purpose, allowing you to focus on what truly matters.
You are trying to be happy, not overwhelm yourself! Do not set unrealistic goals – it will have the opposite effect and leave you feeling disappointed and unhappy. It’s essential to set realistic, attainable goals that are tailored to your individual needs and capabilities.
Building positive relationships
One of the key factors contributing to personal happiness is beautiful relationships. Humans are social creatures, and we thrive on connection and a sense of belonging.
According to research, people with strong social connections are happier, healthier, and more resilient than those who lack social support.
Building positive relationships involves investing time and effort in developing and maintaining connections with family, friends, colleagues, and other people in your community.
Reaching out to loved ones, making time for social activities, and actively listening and showing empathy when interacting with others are just some of the many ways of maintaining a healthy connection with the people around you.
Helping and giving back
Volunteering your time and resources to a cause or organization that aligns with your values can give you a sense of purpose and contribute to making a positive impact in the world.
Helping others doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference in someone’s day and boost your own happiness in the process.
Learning and growing intellectually
When considering the question, “What makes you happy?” One of the most fulfilling answers is undoubtedly learning and growing intellectually. Engaging in activities that challenge the mind and expand knowledge can actually make you happy.
This can include pursuing higher education, reading literature, attending seminars, or simply engaging in thought-provoking discussions with others.
Engaging in hobbies and interests
Engaging in hobbies and interests is an effective way to promote happiness and wellbeing. Research shows that people who do activities that they enjoy tend to be happier and experience less stress.
Hobbies can take many forms, from creative pursuits like painting or writing, to physical activities like hiking or playing sports. Making time for hobbies and interests also provides opportunities for social connection and the allow you develop new skills.
Practicing gratitude and mindfulness
Practicing gratitude and mindfulness can greatly contribute to what makes you happy. Taking time to reflect on the things we are grateful for can help shift our focus from what we lack to what we have. This can help with the way you see life and ultimately keep you happy.
Mindfulness, on the other hand, involves being present and fully engaged in the current moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.
Living a healthy lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle is one of the key factors that contribute to overall happiness and well-being. Engaging in regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep are just a few of the habits that can help you lead a healthier and happier life.
Exercise, eat balanced diets, sleep, think happy thoughts, drink water and mind your business! Just prioritize you!
Feeling financially secure
Money is undoubtedly an important aspect of our lives, and most times, the defining factor of happiness. When you are financially secured, you achieve a level of happiness and confidence. You can afford what you need without thinking twice!
It’s easy to spend when you have more than enough. As much as possible, create a saving plan and understand that you have a future to protect!
Having a work-life balance
Having a healthy work-life balance is essential for not just your happiness, but your health. Set boundaries between work and personal life, and make time for activities that allow you stay happy outside work.
You must prioritize self-care and ensure that work doesn’t consume all of your time and energy. You can achieve this by setting realistic goals, delegating tasks, and practicing time management techniques.
What is the best answer to “what makes you happy at work?”
A common question interviewers ask during job interviews is “What makes you happy at work?“
The interviewer is hoping to learn about your work habits and what kind of environment you thrive in.
The things that make us happy that can vary from person to person, but here are a few things that makes me happy at work that can give you an idea:
- It’s important to feel like my job makes a difference in the world. I enjoy being able to use my skills and talents in a way that is helpful. I want to know that the work I’m doing is contributing to the client or company’s success and making a positive impact.
- I also need to feel like I’m growing and learning. I’m not the type of person who can do the same thing day in and day out. I need to feel like I’m constantly expanding my skillset and knowledge base.
- I feel happiest when I am working on projects that matter. If the work is meaningful to me then I am happy.
- I need to feel like I am valued and appreciated by my colleagues and superiors. This means getting feedback in a way that feels helpful and not belittling, as well as feeling like my opinions and ideas are respected.
- I also need to feel like I have a good work/life balance. I wouldn’t be happy at work if I feel stressed and overworked. I need enough time off to recharge both mentally and physically and enjoy my life outside of work.
If an employer can provide a work environment that meets these needs, like me, most employees will be happy, engaged, and productive.
Every person has their own unique set of needs and wants that make them happy at work. The answers above are just there to give you an idea of what the interviewer is expecting as a response. Good luck!
Can we ever figure it out?
It’s hard to pinpoint what makes us happy, but we can never truly figure it out?
What you can do, however, is make small tweaks in your life that will lead to a Happier You.
I would never have thought that asking myself “what makes me happy?” will have me in gridlock. It’s a relatively simple question, but it’s okay if we do not have answers we think we have.
We don’t have to figure it out, we only should walk towards happiness and work with it. I don’t have to wait for a sale, job or deal to be happy. Even the little things matter.
How not to make happiness transactional
How do we make being happy transactional?
While this may not be intentional, waiting until you reach a goal to pay attention to yourself is the worst thing you do to yourself.
If you do anything daily that makes you unhappy, stop and ask yourself “why?”. Once you have an appropriate answer, change your routine. If it’s a shitty job, a side hustle or anything else, think about your mental health and happiness.
In the end, happiness is something that we should all strive for. It’s not something that we should wait to be given to us, but something that we should work towards every day. Anything within your power should not control your happiness but enhance it.
I’m sticking to this whole new mindset. “happiness is not transactional.”
Happiness, they say, is a state of mind and finding genuine happiness come from within. If we make it a reward for labor, we are only going to be opening a door for anxiety and depression.
We must avoid transactional happiness. I want to live in the moment and enjoy life as it comes.
I hope life stays fair to us all.
