Cultivating True Happiness through Meaningful Connections

Only 14% of all Americans report being very happy    This stat comes from a study that Tamika, relationship expert extraordinaire shared with me from The University of Chicago. Tamika says that she isn’t very surprised by that stat given the rollercoaster life has been taking us all on with the pandemic and big shifts in other areas. We all want that happiness boost, but let's face it, sometimes we don’t even quite know what that means to us.    Tamika is here to let us know the secret to happiness. Are you ready to hear it? The secret is relationships.    She's not just saying this out of the blue. There's this legendary Harvard study that goes back decades, and guess what? It backs her up. Even some go-getter entrepreneurs participating in the study thought their biz was the key to their joy, only to find out that real happiness was hanging out with their peeps – family, friends, colleagues, and other wonderful people they’ve met along the way. This is very real science that supports that personal connection and relationships (both platonic and romantic) are what bring true happiness into our lives.    But what lights up Tamika's passion for connections like a neon sign? It's a story that starts with loss but blooms into self-discovery and meaningful friendships.. Losing her dad at the age of 13 was like a cosmic nudge. She understood that life is short and sweet, so she set out to make those bonds in her relationships count.   The universe will test you in what you teach.   Tamika's all about taking life's pop quizzes. She's been through her share of relationship riddles, and that's where she sharpened her relationship toolbox. It's like she's cracked the code on what makes a bond tick. Her mission: build rock-solid connections that light up lives and help others do the exact same.    Stay tuned, because we're just scratching the surface of Tamika's insights. You won't believe the gems she's got to share about setting boundaries, dealing with ego, and finding your happiness groove through connections. It's like a masterclass in relationship wisdom.   Be sure to let me know what you think by leaving a comment, tagging me on Instagram (@ ambermccue), or even leaving a review wherever you listen to the Podcast.   In this episode, we chat about: What actually makes you happy Creating and cultivating relationships Communication in relationships How your relationships affect you    Mentioned in this episode:    Tamika’s Company Couple’s Experience   Harvard Study of Adult Development   Wonderful Article to dive into this study!