Evaluating the obstacles to people's happiness, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir from Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, said, “Happiness is among humanity's most enduring desires. However, it is often the most difficult to achieve.” Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, stating that one of the obstacles to happiness is the expectation that happiness is an uninterrupted chain of positive emotions, added, “If their concerns are happiness, people often chase the wrong things.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, a faculty member at Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Philosophy, addressed the obstacles to people's happiness.
Happy people tend to be more productive
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir explained that at the beginning of 2023, the New York Times published a series of articles titled 'The Seven-Day Happiness Challenge,' aiming to increase its readers' happiness. “One might wonder why a famous newspaper would prepare such a long and detailed research article on being happy. However, the answer is clear and concise: Pursuing happiness can help us find meaning in life, reduce stress, and lead a healthier life. Furthermore, happy individuals tend to have more positive relationships and higher overall life satisfaction. Therefore, pursuing happiness has the potential to provide a better quality of life and well-being at personal and societal levels. Happy people also tend to be more productive and can positively impact their lives. As a result, individuals being happy can increase personal and societal happiness and offer a more fulfilling life,” he said.
Happiness is among humanity's most enduring desires
“Happiness is among humanity's most enduring desires. However, it is often the most difficult to achieve,” said Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, adding that Dr. Ben-Shahar has dedicated himself to the topic of happiness for decades, writing best-selling books and giving lectures on happiness, and quoted Dr. Ben-Shahar as saying, 'Only two types of people do not experience painful emotions: psychopaths and dead people.'
Stating that according to Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, happiness means 'one's holistic well-being,' Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir said, “Happiness involves accepting the complexities of life and creating opportunities for growth from these challenges. Dr. Ben-Shahar suggests 'strengthening our psychological growth system,' a more unique approach, instead of constantly chasing those who are always happy.”
What is happiness?
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir explained his views on happiness as follows:
“In my view, happiness consists of five elements: spiritual well-being (meaning and purpose), physical well-being (nutrition, exercise, sleep), intellectual well-being (curiosity, deep learning), relational well-being (quality time spent with others; kindness and generosity), and emotional well-being (embracing painful emotions; cultivating positive emotions). As an interconnected sum of these five elements, happiness is much more than just pleasure,” he said.
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also stated that, as Aristotle pointed out, happiness is the ultimate goal of life, adding, “This means that how we spend our daily lives is ultimately guided by what we believe will make us happier. This is neither good nor bad; it simply is, like a law of nature. For example, even people who work tirelessly for an important cause, such as eradicating world hunger, do so because they find their work meaningful. Meaning is an element of happiness.”
What prevents us from being happy?
“One of the obstacles to happiness is the expectation that happiness is an uninterrupted chain of positive emotions. In fact, this expectation prevents people from experiencing happiness. The reason is that painful emotions do not disappear when we reject them; they only grow stronger,” said Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, continuing:
“The second obstacle concerns equating happiness with success. There is a common belief that happiness can be achieved by reaching specific goals such as money, fame, or praise. People tend to think that when they finally achieve success, they will automatically be happy. However, this is not the case. Therefore, if their concerns are happiness, people often chase the wrong things.
The third obstacle relates to the ways people pursue happiness. We want to be happy for many reasons. After all, we are constantly told that happiness is good for our health, relationships, and work outcomes. Plus, being happy feels good!”
What is the best way to pursue happiness?
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir noted that directly chasing happiness can harm people, and said, “Indirectly pursuing happiness, by breaking it down into its metaphorical colors, can contribute to our well-being. Spending more time on things that are meaningful to us, starting a meditation practice, exercising, doing good deeds, learning something new, or expressing gratitude for what we have, are indirect ways of pursuing happiness. Happiness often seems like a grand idea. Yet, if we divide and conquer, we can achieve much more.”
The message being marketed is that if you want to be happy, you must acquire something specific
Answering the question, “Why are we so misinformed about happiness?” Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir said, “The reason is the false narratives presented to us by our immediate environment, media, advertisements, and self-help books. The message often marketed is: If you want to be happy, you must acquire something specific (e.g., a spouse, job, property, money). This model of happiness relies on you obtaining what you lack and promises continuous happiness on the condition that you fill this void. These false beliefs lead us astray by misinterpreting what is truly needed to be happy.”
It is important to accept that a lot of hard work is needed to cultivate happiness…
Emphasizing what is required for happiness, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir said, “Firstly, to be more humble about what we can expect. Secondly, to accept that a lot of hard work is needed to cultivate happiness. People often think that reading a book or attending a workshop is enough to master happiness. Yet, would someone who wants to learn to play the piano or tennis believe that reading a book on the subject would turn them into a great musician or athlete? No.”
There are three levels of happiness that can be explored…
Stating that there are three levels of happiness that can be explored, Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir said, “The first level is the universal level. The SPIRE elements (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Relational, and Emotional) are universal. Throughout history, people everywhere have needed a sense of meaning and purpose to survive. Moving, nourishing ourselves, learning, and being curious are fundamental needs we all share. Secondly, we must consider the cultural level. After acknowledging the universality of human experience, it is important to consider cultural differences, especially when suggesting happiness-inducing practices. Finally, there is the personal level. Even two people raised in the same culture, or even by the same parents, can be radically different. All three of these levels are important for understanding human happiness.”
Traveling offers an opportunity to get to know ourselves
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir, pointing out that there are lessons to be learned from other cultures on how to be happy, said, “Traveling offers an opportunity to get to know ourselves, to discover what is universal, and to learn from differences. Travel encourages us to try new things. This applies as much to food as it does to ways of being and thinking.”
Prof. Dr. İbrahim Özdemir also listed the lessons to be drawn regarding happiness as follows: “Happiness, if we can break it down into its elements, can be something more attainable for people. Happiness consists of different elements spiritually, physically, mentally, relationally, and emotionally. Perhaps the best way to pursue happiness is indirectly. That is, not to seek it out directly.”