February 06, 2026

288 - Why Chasing Happiness Is Making You Miserable (And What to Do Instead)

21 minutes

What if your pursuit of happiness is the very thing making you miserable? It sounds counterintuitive, right?

We live in a world obsessed with happiness. But chasing happiness is a trap.

On today’s episode, I’m breaking down why the pursuit of happiness often backfires and what you can do instead to build a life that feels truly fulfilling.

Some of the things I talk about are:

Why treating happiness like a goal sets you up for disappointment

The science behind the "happiness trap" and how it makes you lonelier

How hedonic adaptation keeps you chasing the next thing

Why embracing all your emotions—even the uncomfortable ones—leads to a richer life

Four things you can do to stop chasing happiness and start living meaningfully

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Related Episodes ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

164 — 7 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Your Happiness

138 — 7 Things to Spend Money On if You Want to Be a Happier Person

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By Amy Morin

4.8

367367 ratings