5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Searching for True Happiness

5 Questions to Ask Yourself When Searching for True Happiness

May 13, 2025

Your internal compass matters more than any external metric.

Words by +Wellvyl

We all want to be happy. But what is happiness, really?

Not the curated kind. Not the kind that fades after a like. We’re talking about a grounded, everyday peace—a steady, quiet sense of self that isn’t shaken by the noise around you.

Instead of chasing happiness like it’s a prize at the finish line, what if you asked the right questions—right now?

Inspired by the New York Times’ special issue on happiness, we pulled five core questions to help you reset your mindset, tune into what matters, and reconnect with your real definition of joy.

1. Am I chasing comfort or creating meaning?

Pleasure is quick. Meaning takes intention. There’s a difference between the easy dopamine hit (scrolling, shopping, streaming) and the deeper, soul-satisfying moments that come from showing up, giving back, and doing things that matter to you.

Try this: Think back to a moment this week that felt genuinely fulfilling. What made it so?

2. Who helps me feel most like myself?

You weren’t built to go through life alone. True happiness is closely linked to meaningful connection—people who see you, hear you, and walk with you through the mess and the joy.

Ask yourself: Am I nurturing relationships that make me feel safe, alive, and loved?

3. Do I feel in control of how I spend my time?

When life feels out of balance, it often starts with your schedule. Control over your time isn’t about having less to do—it’s about aligning your hours with what fuels you.

Check in: How much of your daily energy goes to what matters most to you?

4. What am I not facing?

Avoidance can masquerade as peace—but it’s really just a pause on the truth. Whether it’s a tough decision, a hard conversation, or a goal you’ve been scared to start, naming it is the first step toward liberation.

Pause and ask: What have I been avoiding that could actually bring me closer to freedom?

5. Have I defined happiness for myself?

We live in a culture that hands us a one-size-fits-all version of happiness: more money, more success, more recognition.But the truth is, your joy doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

Reflect: If no one else’s opinion mattered, what would your happy life actually look like?