The Pursuit of Happiness
In today’s fast-paced and complex world, many of us feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or like happiness is always just out of reach. Do you find yourself caught in a constant struggle for happiness, never feeling like it’s truly within your grasp? At Tranquilux, we believe happiness isn’t just a fleeting emotion but rather a skill that can be cultivated with intention, practice, and the right tools. So, what is the goal of happiness, and how can we achieve it? Let’s explore.
What is Happiness?
The pursuit of happiness has fascinated humans for thousands of years, with its roots in ancient philosophy. Today, happiness has become a loaded term with many interpretations. For some, it means short-term pleasures—moments of joy and indulgence. For others, it’s rooted in deeper ideas like life satisfaction, purpose, or meaning.
At Tranquilux, we take a simpler approach to happiness: maximising positive emotions while minimising or transforming our relationship with negative ones. At its core, happiness is the experience of positive emotional states—whether through moments of peace, joy, or fulfilment—and the absence of undue emotional suffering.
Even abstract ideas like life satisfaction and meaning ultimately serve this purpose. These are not separate from happiness but rather pathways to it, as they generate thoughts and experiences that contribute to positive emotions in the present. That’s why we focus on fostering positive emotional states and reducing negative ones through strategies that are both effective and sustainable.
Why is Happiness So Difficult to Achieve?
Happiness, though simple in concept, can be surprisingly elusive. Why is this?
Modern Misconceptions About Happiness: In today’s culture, happiness is often tied to short-term gratification—buying something new, indulging in comfort food, or chasing accomplishments. While these actions might bring joy temporarily, they often fail to create lasting wellbeing. Think of the thrill of buying that new thing you've wanted for months—it’s exciting for a day or two but often fades quickly, leaving you searching for the next 'hit' of happiness.
Our Evolutionary Wiring: Our brains are built for survival, not happiness. They prioritise avoiding threats, securing resources, and chasing short-term rewards—behaviours that helped our ancestors survive but often work against our wellbeing in today’s world. Simply put, there’s no evolutionary advantage to being satisfied with what you have. This is why even “perfect” circumstances can leave us feeling unfulfilled.
The Science of Happiness
At Tranquilux, we draw on the latest research in behavioural psychology and neuroscience to address these challenges. By using evidence-based techniques, we help bridge the gap between what people think will make them happy and what truly does. This process isn't always easy, but the rewards are life-changing: greater well-being, stronger relationships, and a sense of inner balance.
One of the most empowering insights from psychology is that happiness is not a fixed trait—it’s a skill that anyone can develop with practice. Like learning a new language or mastering a sport, building happiness requires patience, persistence, and intentional effort.
As Rick Hanson puts it, "The brain is like a muscle, and happiness is a skill that can be strengthened with practice." This underscores that your happiness isn’t determined by luck, or circumstance—it’s shaped by your actions and mindset.
Practical Tips to Start Your Happiness Journey
Starting your journey towards happiness may feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few simple strategies to help you get started:
Keep an Open Mind: Not every strategy will work for everyone, and that’s okay. Approach this process with curiosity and be willing to try new things—you might be surprised by what works for you.
Recognise There’s No Perfect Formula: Everyone’s path to happiness is different, and your needs may change over time. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s about taking small, consistent steps and discovering what works best for you.
Find a Partner for the Journey: Invite a friend or loved one to join you in building better habits. Sharing the experience can enhance enjoyment, provide accountability, and deepen your connection with others—a key element of happiness.
Our Mission
At Tranquilux, we’re committed to helping you live better, happier, and more fulfilling lives. Our mission is grounded in the science of happiness and behavioural psychology to bring evidence based insights into what brings wellbeing. By helping you build habits around these principles we aim to produce meaningful, lasting change.
As the Dalai Lama said, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” Happiness is within reach—it begins with small, thoughtful shifts in perspective and daily habits. At Tranquilux, we’re here to guide you every step of the way, one small, meaningful change at a time.
