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Bored to Happy: Why Discomfort Is the Secret Sauce of a Meaningful Life
Stop chasing dopamine hits. Start asking life’s big questions — and let boredom be your guide.
Happiness is not a feeling. At least, not in the way we’ve been conditioned to believe. Arthur C. Brooks, a happiness researcher, Harvard professor, and author, argues that happiness isn’t a fleeting state of bliss but a purposeful direction. His insights flip the script on how we define, pursue, and sustain happiness.
So, if binge-watching Netflix or scrolling endlessly through your phone hasn’t made you happier, perhaps it’s time for a radically different approach: embrace boredom and confront life’s big questions.
Happiness Is a Direction, Not a Destination
Most of us view happiness as the peak of a mountain — something we climb toward but rarely reach. Brooks suggests this view is flawed. Happiness, he says, is not a goal; it’s a process. It’s about making consistent progress toward meaning, satisfaction, and connection.
“You won’t feel happier every single day,” Brooks explains. “But over time, you’ll know you’re moving in the right direction when your life feels richer and your accomplishments feel more satisfying.”
