Happiness Project

I have a hard time with phrases like 'working on being/getting happy' because, to me, they simply add much pressure and a good measure of anxiety, among other things. Ergo, I agreed with many of Tyler's answers. People are as they are and seeking [solely] a non-ending state of bliss sounds not only bizarre but also problematic. Plus, doesn't it sort of get in the way of our respective productivity?

So, Gretchen Rubin's interview with one of my favorite bloggers, economist Tyler Cowen, is worth a read.

Here's a bit:

"Gretchen: What’s a simple activity that consistently makes you happier?
Tyler: Why don't we start with food, sleep, and sex? There's writing, blogging, and reading too, not to mention consuming artificially created stories. In fact most of life seems to fit under #1.

Gretchen: What’s something you know now about happiness that you didn’t know when you were 18 years old?
Tyler: I wasn't so wise at 18 but I'm still not so wise today. I have the same basic temperament, which is the main thing.

Gretchen: Is there anything you find yourself doing repeatedly that gets in the way of your happiness?
Tyler: Not that I can think of. Being grudge-free is very important and I've done OK on that score."
Read more here.