Happiness Reexamined

Looking back at how many definition of happiness has changed since the start of the class is very quickly connected with the reading of McKibben in a very profound way.  When I took a leap of faith and quit my job, I left myself with no income and a very set budget based on savings I had accumulated.  My problem with this is that I had always set my expectations for what I would need financially to make me "happy" much higher.  I thought that being able to go out for dinner every night, buying random things as I felt the need and being able to afford ridiculous weekend trips to Europe every other month was at least part of what it took to make me happy.   Since reading McKibben I can see that happiness can be achieved for far less.  In fact, removing so much complication from my life has actually increased instead of decreased happiness.  Sure I don't have nearly the same amount of money, but I find myself with a lot more time and I can spend that time doing things I spent money on before, such as making myself dinner instead of going out.  I also find I am spending a lot more time with my family since eating dinner at my parent's house is certainly the most economical way of getting by. 

So looking back on on the past two months I can see that my fears of being unhappy have been totally unfounded.  I am happier than when I had a 20 times as much income as now have.  I have more time with friends and family than I have had in as long as I can remember.  I am healthier than I have been in ages and I am more relaxed than I can ever remember being.  Sure I miss random weekend trips to Europe, but one thing I know for sure - when I do make it there again I'll enjoy it many times more than I have in the past. Some things which made me happy were a bit like a drug that you take too much.  You develop a tolerance for a drug and you need more of it for the same effect.  Thankfully, if you don't take the drug for a while the tolerance goes away and you need less.  I think this will be the same in my life looking forward.  I had built up a tolerance for what made me happy.  Taking it away was a tad rough at first, but now moving forward I'll be able to be just as happy for much less.