The Meanings of Being Happy

The search for happiness is perhaps as old as human history itself. And for many of us, there is one question that stands at the very center of life: how can we feel happier? With March 20, International Happiness Day, this question may come up again, or maybe it’s something you’ve been thinking about for a while. But the answer to this question isn’t as clear-cut as we think. Happiness is a deeply subjective experience that doesn’t easily fit into a box. It means something different to everyone; for some, it’s peace of mind; for others, success; for others, a sense of belonging. That’s why it’s hard to fit it into a single definition. But that doesn’t mean we can’t explore it. On the contrary, people have been doing exactly that for centuries. Aristotle associated happiness with leading a virtuous life, meaning not merely feeling good but living rightly; Epicurus took a simpler approach, viewing happiness as avoiding pain and finding balance in simple pleasures. For Socrates, however, the foundation of happiness lies in true knowledge; if one knows the truth, then one will naturally do what is right.  In fact, when we look at the history of philosophy, we see many definitions of happiness that are quite different from one another yet equally meaningful. Some feel very familiar to us, while others just don’t sit right.

In the field of psychology, the initial approach was quite different. Early psychological approaches focused less on understanding happiness and more on why people are unhappy. Conditions such as anxiety, depression, and feeling stuck took center stage. In other words, the discussion revolved primarily around the question: “Why don’t people feel happy?”. However, over time, and particularly with more contemporary approaches, this perspective has broadened. Now, it’s not just about reducing symptoms; understanding well-being has become important as well. In this therapy sketch, we will explore a more holistic approach to happiness through positive psychology to understand how well-being is more than just a single feeling.

Why isn’t there a single, clear definition of “happiness”?

The answer to this question can be explored through the recently popular series “Pluribus.” The series describes a world transformed by an unknown condition that unifies all human minds into a single consciousness, in which everyone is connected simultaneously, and a kind of collective “feeling of well-being” is created. In other words, everyone feels the same thing; everyone feels “happy” in the same way. At first glance, it sounds like a perfect formula for happiness: everyone is connected, everyone feels good, and no one is alone. But the show makes you ask, “Is this really happiness?” after a while. Because you are watching the series through the main character’s perspective, who is not part of this hive mind. As you watch, you realize that the system is constantly trying to make the main character happy. But since this happiness isn’t something she chose for herself, she keeps fighting with the system. Because when you try to force happiness into a single mold, you lose its most fundamental characteristic, its subjectivity, with it free will, curiosity, surprise, desire, and more.

Happiness is perhaps more complex in the real world than it is in a show like Pluribus. Contemporary mental health perspectives also recognize that happiness, especially in a long-lasting state, cannot be explained by a single model. Long-lasting happiness is addressed as a more holistic concept rather than solely an emotion. In other words, it’s more than feeling good or solely about finding meaning. Sometimes it’s about pleasure, sometimes about meaning, sometimes about relationships, and sometimes it’s simply about coping. In these models, all these elements are seen as part of the happiness experience, thereby fostering a sense of well-being.

Happiness or Wellbeing: Contemporary approaches to Long-term Happiness

At this point, positive psychology comes into play, approaching happiness within a more holistic framework. The PERMA model (Seligman, 2012) views happiness not as a single-factor phenomenon, but as the convergence of multiple dimensions. In other words, “feeling good” is not enough on its own; well-being emerges from the interplay of different areas. 

The PERMA model takes a perspective similar to that of philosophy and approaches happiness through two fundamental dimensions: 

• Hedonic, which is about feeling good and deriving pleasure
• Eudaimonic, which is about finding meaning and self-actualization.

In developing this model, Martin Seligman explains happiness in terms of five core components. While some components relate to feeling good and experiencing pleasure, others focus on meaning, purpose, and self-realization. Please note that there is no strict distinction. Rather, these components overlap and work together. Here are the components:

P for Positive Emotion: This is the most visible and obvious form of happiness. Think about the times when you enjoy yourself, relaxing, feeling joy, feeling gratitude… But there’s an important point here, these emotions are valuable, but they aren’t enough on their own to describe well-being. Because there may be moments when you feel good, yet you still feel like something is missing inside.

E for Engagement: Imagine the times you get completely absorbed in what you’re doing and lose track of time. In those moments, you don’t just feel good; you’re fully present. According to the PERMA model, this flow state points to a deeper dimension of happiness.

R for Relationships: No matter how independent we may be, we are beings who find meaning in human connections. Having someone who sees us, hears us, and understands doesn’t just make us feel good; it also brings a sense of peace. That is why the PERMA model is one of the strongest pillars of well-being.

M for Meaning: Meaning in the PERMA model does not directly point to “a grand goal.” Seligman (2012) described meaning as feeling connected to or serving something greater than ourselves. That is related to the feeling of purpose, or simply knowing you’re putting effort into something you value is enough. Having a purpose can really help us stay focused on what matters most, especially when facing challenges.

A for Accomplishment:  A sense of accomplishment comes from working toward and reaching goals, mastering tasks, and being motivated to complete them. It is about finishing things, seeing progress, feeling like you’ve gotten somewhere, even if it’s just a little. Sometimes it’s getting through the day, sometimes it’s having a conversation, and sometimes it’s just being able to keep going. This can really boost wellbeing because people often feel proud of their lives, which helps them enjoy life more. (Seligman, 2012).

Over time, additional elements were incorporated into this model, expanding into the PERMA+ model. For example, factors such as physical health (like physical activity and sleep) and other elements (like optimism) that support overall well-being began to be included in this framework. In other words, the model is not actually fixed; it is a structure that expands and evolves over time, much like happiness itself.

Do we need all of these components to be happy?

What we call happiness is strengthened when each of these areas finds a place in your life in some way. You can think of each component of Seligman’s PERMA model as a separate gateway to well-being. In other words, one cannot be reduced to the other. It’s not enough to just feel good, nor is it enough to just find meaning. Because these areas are not substitutes for one another, they complement each other. But this doesn’t mean they all have to be equal. For example, relationships might take center stage at some times, at others, meaning, and at still others, accomplishing by simply getting by.

As you can see, positive psychology also does not offer a rigid, single definition of happiness. It aims to open up a space for understanding and evaluating well-being. For this reason, the PERMA model provides a framework for reflecting on and making sense of your own subjective happiness. To do that, you can explore your wellbeing and happiness by asking yourself these simple questions:

• P- What made me feel truly good today?
• E- In which moments was I fully immersed in what I was doing? 
• R – With whom do I feel joy, peace, and supported?
• M – What is meaningful to me in my life right now? 
• A – What are my goals, or what am I currently making progress on? 

You don’t have to provide clear answers to all these questions. But perhaps these questions can serve as a starting point to begin noticing the different aspects of happiness in your life.

Takeaways

• Happiness is a deeply subjective feeling, making it difficult to define in a single way. It has been explored in philosophy for centuries as a form of virtue, pleasure, knowledge, and internal mastery. 
• In psychology, research initially focused mostly on dysfunction related to happiness. This view has been challenged by modern theories such as positive psychology, which emphasize ways to cultivate well-being.
• PERMA model frames happiness as an interplay of positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment, integrating both hedonic and eudaimonic dimensions.
• Self-reflection on these components can help us identify which aspects need more care and fostering to cultivate more well-being in our lives.

References

• Seligman, M. E. P. (2002). Authentic happiness: Using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment. Free Press.
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and well-being. Atria Paperback.
  (Not: 2012 değil, kitap ilk baskı yılı 2011 olarak geçer APA’da)
• Seligman, M. E. P. (2013). Building the state of well-being: A strategy for South Australia. Government of South Australia.
• Ackerman, C. E. (n.d.). PERMA theory of well-being and PERMA model (+ interventions & examples). PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/perma-model/

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This page is also part of the Roamers Therapy Glossary; a collection of mental-health related definitions that are written by our therapists.

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