9 Common Pursuits That Rob Us of Happiness

Happiness and a positive mindset is something we all desire. Why then, does it appear at times to be so elusive? How can so many of us not know how to be happy? Maybe it is because the pursuits we have set before us as a means to find it are actually keeping us from it.-

--
Recent videos:

5 Things People With Tidy Homes Don’t Do

Find a Rational Minimalism that Works For You

---
Most popular videos:

3 Things to Buy to be Happier, According to Science

Top 10 Things to Declutter Right Now

---

You can read more tips in my newest book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life:

Read hundreds of articles on decluttering and owning less on the Becoming Minimalist blog.

---

[RayTator]

We got rid of t.v and lots of clutter we have only what we need..also we buy food and not much else. It’s great and we are happy at 74 and 75.

[virginiakoffke]

Noticing the world about me, the early morning sun, the birds singing, flowers. Slow down and just look about you, doing this makes me happy.

[jilloverton]

I love the message about the importance of living for others. Serving others can bring us a lot of happiness and purpose.

[carriemainquist]

I just love how he wears a plain black t-shirt every episode. Looks good in it. Demonstating living minimalism. Nice and Simple.

[malihagarden]

Happiness is just an emotional state, and it is transient. We feel happy when our dopamine level goes up. We should not strive to feel happy on a daily basis, rather strive to feel content.

[wandashaw]

Excellent food for thought! Thank you.

[bonniewoodard]

The BEST messages for the BEST Life ! Thank you !

[jeremy]

Hello.
I got rid of all my social media except YT. Because I began to really hate myself and my life.
I left a dysfunctional and hypocritical sober community after twenty years. The best decision I have made in a long time.
I Re - decluttered my home recently, across the board.
I don't buy anything that I don't need nor will bring me joy.
I learned the "Lesson about Approval" many years ago, so I don't waste my time looking for it.
I am no longer part of the Herd, nor the Herd Mentality
My life is filled with Simplicity, Happiness, and Peace nowadays.
I walk my own path now, instead of people telling me I need to be on their path, or perish.
I don't have any friends - so I don't have to please anyone anymore, like it really mattered in the end, News Flash, It DIDN'T !!
And finally, I don't judge my sobriety against anyone else's sobriety. I make my own way now.

[pamelalyon]

I prefer spending money on other's needs (people's and animals) than buying stuff I don't need

[bobbijonichols]

I feel happiness is a decision. But finding through decluttering that peacefulness, happiness, and calm comes. ❤ your videos. Thank you!

[susannegiesen]

True Message, Joshua😊 I find happiness when I' m with the ones I love, when I'm in nature or see little flowers anywhere on the street, when I can help people, when I can touch a cute puppy on the street, when I'm riding my bike, when I eat a simple but delicious meal ( cooked by myself or family), when I had a really good day at work, when I'm singing in my little choire😁 Nothing to impress others, nothing to follow the masses👍Sometimes buying makes me happy when it's a gift for someone or a nice subject to beautify my flat or a nice dress with which beautifys me😅. Funny that the older I get the more I feel my best when I wear nice dresses. For 60 years it had been jeans and T-Shirt. But I guess my belly wants to be free now 😊. But these buyings are not often and always second hand. Greetings from Germany 😊

[suehenderson]

Wealth in my experience equates to greed a lot of the time, it's those that can least afford to give/donate etc that do so. Especially enjoyed this message this week ❤

[valerierogers]

In the material, the worldly and the secular happiness is superficially short-lived at best. We need to look beyond that.

[ithacacomments]

Happiness is elusive.
Better to rest in the joy and peace of being a child of God.
Thank You Jesus!

[lizzieb]

My most unfulfilled friend has the most money (plenty of it) and she is relentlessly trying to buy her way into happiness..she focuses on having MORE than and MORE EXPENSIVE things than those around her. She’s a kind and wonderful woman but is OBSESSED with her possessions…and what she has is never enough. Our discussions have gone from fun, girlfriend talks and laughs into one thing: what item she is currently in pursuit of…a 20K couch (yes you read the right and she bought it and doesn’t like it)…the next SUV to replace her current one year old lux suv. I no longer enjoy talking to her anymore. Doesn’t end there…she is OBSESSED (at 65) at trying to look 35…she’s gone too far down that road and has morphed into a person barely recognizable. Yes…I’ve talked to her…it makes her angry and she claims I’m jealous and our other friends who try are met with the same response. I miss my old friend…the friend more interested in those around her than the things they have…

[beachcruising]

This is a great message! Your delivery is flawless.

[donnymac]

This message is so good that I had to watch it three times 😊

[myrnarenoud]

Wow! This was a powerful message! I made notes to refer to when I feel myself tempted to go down one of those paths! Thank you!

[chowwong]

Needed this today !
I so appreciate it!❤

[kikitaube-hansen]

All the/your points are true. It takes years of discovering to learn it. Thanks a lot😊.