What Does Happiness Mean To You?

Happiness is defined as ‘the state of being happy’ which depends on what you do, where you are and how you do things. Everyone finds happiness in their own way.

Some believe the secret is working on the farm to their heart’s content, and others feel that it’s sitting in a white-collar office with their colleagues, doing what they love and working towards a common goal.

According to forbes.com, happiness is love, because love promotes positive emotions which leads to certain actions as well.

Like looking through life with rose-coloured glasses, there’s just something about falling for someone which improves your quality of life. This is where the international organisation the Happiness Research Institute comes in. They are responsible for studying social relationships, aspirations and time. In the Happy Planet Index done in 2012, Namibia ranked 98th out of 151 countries in a worldwide survey – even claiming that the life expectancy in Namibia was 62,5 years. But it seems that Namibia has reached a slump in terms of happiness, with the country being rated at 113 out of 157 countries currently. But what does this mean for relationships?

According to Leah Misika, happiness “means not wanting for more”. Hanayi Shakes Bantwini found it more personal. “Being happy in a relationship is simply loving, caring and respecting one another. Happiness is the expression that defines a smile on someone’s face. Happiness is when there is no gender-based violence in a relationship.”

Based on research, happiness involves having a “relationship meeting”, where you talk about problems and life in general as a way of getting to know each other. Whether or not you feel like being intimate by holding hands or going on a date, it’s quite an effective way to get personal. “Happiness is when you literally don’t have to hide anything from each other. It’s when you actually know what you mean to that particular person or know where you stand in the relationship,” Simon Kadhila said.

However, creating a strong bond between partners, in terms of loyalty and respect also leads to happiness. “Happiness in a relationship means loving, caring as well as respecting one another. And this can build a strong relationship,” Nocks Petrus shared. Compromising to see your partner happy also fell into the category of strengthening the relationship. “Being happy in a relationship is when you are grateful, thankful and feel blessed by having that person in your life and you don’t have thoughts of having someone else,” Fina Nakale said. And by making sure your partner is happy, you make yourself happy as well. Because showing a sense of selflessness contributes to a positive lifestyle.

“Happiness is when there are no issues between me and my partner,” Fillipe Cellor said. “When we are playing like children on the bed and playing love songs, that’s happiness.” Like the saying goes, ‘it’s the little things that count’. Psychologytoday.com advises people to “give to your partner in the way he or she wishes to be given to”. In other words, showing your love to this person, even if it means not saying ‘I love you’. And sometimes, it’s looking to yourself. “When you love yourself and you are happy by yourself, then you will find someone who will appreciate you for the unique person that you are and treat you as you deserve to be treated.” And Ndapewoshali Shapwanale had her own definition of happiness too. “It means I can be a butterfly every day.” Feeling free, loving yourself and being in a good place in your life all contribute to happy relationships. “Happiness is when you reach your target,” Andrew Shatimwene said.

On the other hand, happiness is “when you stop looking for something to replace,” Tanyaradzwa Daringo felt. But sometimes, it’s all about growth, according to Fernandu Chimcuo. “If we can grow together spiritually, emotionally and in every area of our lives, then I will be happy.”

Psychologist Helena Louw had this to say: “From an occupational therapy point of view, we want to enable people to employ their gifts and conquer their challenges in order for them to function at their optimal potential. We take into consideration factors present in their environment which either enable (environmental facilitators) or prohibit/limit (environmental barriers) them in achieving this potential.” So if you’re ever in a position where you’re confused about what is hindering or helping your mindset, then you’d know where to go.

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