You probably would like to read more, right? Most people do. But then why is it so hard to find the time?

It’s because you’re reading the wrong books! So to help you find the right ones, here are my personal recommendations. These are the best books I’ve read over the last year.

Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions – Dan Ariely

What I liked most: There are dozens of cognitive biases and they impact us every day. If you’re unaware of what they are, or how they impact you, this book is a great start. I found it incredibly interesting, and I think you might find so too!

This Is Vegan Propaganda: (And Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You) – Ed Winters

What I liked most: A no-nonsense deep dive into one of the most deceptive lobbies in the world. Even if you’re not interested in an animal-friendly diet, this is still a very interesting and bizarre book that will make you think differently about the world. This book taught me so many things I never realized.

Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood – Trevor Noah

What I liked most: Trevor Noah is a master storyteller. A brutal, shocking, and hilarious tale that does a fantastic job of showing his youth. Above all, this book showed me how important it is to be open to other perspectives.

A Promised Land – Barack Obama

What I liked most: I actually read this book twice last year, and considering the book is over 700 pages, that should tell you enough. No matter what your political view is, Obama’s memoir shows how complex it is to be the commander in chief of the USA. A great lesson in compartmentalizing when there are about 99 urgent problems on your mind.

Atomic Habits – James Clear

What I liked most: This is the bible of creating habits. I thought I was already productive and on top of my healthy habits, but this book thought me a lot that I didn’t know already. Better yet, it shows how to implement it in your life.

The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company – Robert Iger

What I liked most: This book was hard to put down, not just because it’s a great (business) story but it’s also told in a surprisingly engaging way. The former CEO of Disney walks you through some of the most transforming decisions of the company’s history, pulls back the curtains, and spares no detail. A fascinating read!

The importance of reading different types of books

The first books I really enjoyed were autobiographies of rock stars. Basically, the stories of drugs, sex, and rock and roll.

These stories were over the top, bizarre, and shocking, and I finished them all with ease. I liked these the most:

• The Heroin Diaries – Nikki Sixx (from Mötley Crüe)
• I Am Ozzy – Ozzy Osbourne
• Slash (of Guns ‘n Roses)

But after I’d read them all, I stopped reading and lost a wonderful habit.

I tried reading other books (mostly self-help books) but didn’t enjoy them as much.

Fast forward a couple of years, and I now managed to turn reading into a habit again. In fact, it’s part of my bedtime ritual.

How did I get to enjoy reading again? It’s because I’ve made it a point to read all kinds of stories, not just of a single genre or style.

In other words, I focused on diversity.

For example, the last couple of books I read over the past months are wildly different from one another:

• Universal: A Guide to the Cosmos: A book about space, science, and how to walk in the footsteps of Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and others. For what it’s worth, I still have trouble grasping just how big the universe is.
• Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela: If there ever was a universal ranking of people based on how much good they’ve done and how much positive influence they’ve had, Nelson Mandela surely ranks in the top 5. His story is too interesting to not read it!
• I’m Glad My Mom Died – Jennette McCurdy: If you’re thinking of drilling your children to become child movie stars, please read this book and reconsider.
• Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble – Dan Lyons: This was easily one of the most hilarious books I’ve ever read, yet it comes with a powerful warning.
• Calypso – David Sedaris: For some, this book might just be an uninspiring collection of everyday stories of the life of David Sedaris. But for others (including me), his cynical perspective and witty writing turns even the dullest of stories into hysterically funny situations.
• The Secret of Selling Anything – Harry Browne: I’m not a salesperson, I don’t work in sales, and I don’t plan to. But even then, I still enjoyed reading about the mechanics of selling things to others. The secret is simple: find a problem someone is dealing with, provide a solution, and they’ll actually want to pay for it.

I can 100% recommend all the books listed in this article. I’ve read them myself and thoroughly enjoyed and learned something from every one of them.

But the goal here is to show you that the key to my reading habit is diversity.

None of the books in this list are similar. After I’m done with one book, I’ll pick a book that’s completely different.

This way, my reading habit allows me to learn about many different perspectives.

I’d like to believe that this makes me a more well-rounded person that’s open to more perspectives.

So, if you’re feeling inspired, here’s a summary of the best books I’ve read in the past year.

• Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions – Dan Ariely
• This Is Vegan Propaganda: (And Other Lies the Meat Industry Tells You) – Ed Winters
• Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood – Trevor Noah
• A Promised Land – Barack Obama
• Atomic Habits – James Clear
• The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company – Robert Iger

Tracking Happiness is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

These were my book recommendations based on what I’ve been reading for the past year. But what about you? What book did you enjoy most recently? Let’s share recommendations with each other in the comments below!

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post The Best Books I’ve Read This Last Year, and Why You Should Buy Them (2023) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

Positive thinking is a great skill to learn, and sometimes we need a little help with that. Everybody knows that practicing positive thoughts is correlated to happiness. But what if you’re feeling stuck and looking for new ways to trigger positive thinking inside of you?

Then these are the best books on positive thinking! If you’re looking to embrace positivity in 2023, then one of the books discussed in this article is surely going to help you get there.

Sounds good? Then let’s dive into the books!

Best books for positive thinking

If you’re looking for books that can help you focus on the positives, here are the recommendations of 8 experts:

1. Flourish by Martin Seligman

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No list of books on positive thinking would be complete without a book from the father of Positive Psychology himself, Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman.

My vote for the best book on positive thinking is Flourish by Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman.

His earlier book, Authentic Happiness, was pivotal in my decision to pursue mental health as a career. This book is an expansion of the original theories presented in Authentic Happiness. The book incorporates years of research in the field since the publication of Authentic Happiness.

Flourish describes the theory of well-being which goes beyond happiness to include positive emotion, engagement, meaning, positive relationships, and accomplishment. When these elements are present in our lives we are said to be flourishing. This inspiring and engaging book is a great summary of the state of our scientific knowledge of positive psychology. It is required reading for anyone wanting to increase their happiness and well-being.

Contributor: Catherine Larson

Website: www.austinchildpsychiatry.com

2. A Year of Positive Thinking by Cyndie Spiegel

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It is my favorite book because it is not a piece of theoretical advice but a daily inspiration.

Cyndie Spiegel has included 365 affirmations in this book, which have to be practiced by the reader one per day. These daily mantras are based on neuroscience and personal development that brings the best out of us by eliminating negative emotions like self-pity, envy, and hatred.

The best thing is you practice daily whatever you learn. So, it is not like impractical advice or outdated knowledge. Your everyday life would be fulfilled with exciting exercises and motivating mantras that will keep your energy level up.

You could start this journey anytime, and I bet after practicing recommended affirmations for 365 days, your mind would be programmed to think positively.

Contributor: John Parrott

Website: https://relaxlikeaboss.com/

3. Grit: The Power Of Passion And Perseverance by Angela Duckworth

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This book helps readers like myself understand that it takes more than just motivation to get things done.

Grit and perseverance, a different view on thinking positively of yourself, gets more done than anything. Positive change comes from not only thinking that you can do it but also understanding that it takes actually accomplishing the work needed to get the task done.

Contributor: Amanda Dutton

Website: https://synergyetherapy.com/

4. The Secret by Rhonda Byrne

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I love this book because it teaches the importance of positive thinking through real stories of incredible transformations.

The Secret is an inspiring book that teaches the importance of positive thinking through the law of attraction. Byrne teaches readers how to change their lives simply using the power of their minds. It also shares inspiring stories about many people who have used these concepts to achieve groundbreaking success in their own lives.

Readers are encouraged to believe that anything is possible and by using the teachings in the book, they will make their biggest dreams a reality. The book covers how to use the secret to make more money, have better relationships and overcome health struggles.

It’s a fantastic read that is not only inspiring but also gives tangible takeaways for readers to apply.

Contributor: Jaclyn DiGregorio

Website: https://www.jaclyndigregorio.com/

5. Flourishing by Maureen Gaffney

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Flourishing stands out from other books on happiness because it’s not about forcing positivity, but instead finding a deeper sense of meaning in your own story.

By showing the steps required to connect with your best self, Gaffney provides a pathway for real, sustainable happiness. The book even gives a ratio for flourishing to help quantify things for people. Gaffney teaches that the ratio of 5:1 positive to negative experiences is the key to flourishing.

This is incredibly important as it’s not asserting that you need to be happy all the time, but that we need a balance of experience to move forward with a meaningful life.

Contributor: Dr. Clinton Moore

Website: https://www.cadencepsychology.com.au/

6. Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh

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This book has stuck with me more than any other book on positive thinking. His meditations in this book are short and practical, but will totally transform the way you think about everyday activities.

Every time I hear a phone ring, rather than being jarred by the noise I think of Hanh’s Telephone Meditation and use it as a cue to breathe mindfully.

If you have always wanted to be more mindful but haven’t found meditation apps or other tools to be helpful, this could be the book for you.

Contributor: Katie Lear

Website: www.katielear.com

7. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

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The four agreements are clear, simple, and practical for anybody to implement.

This book is my favorite because it helped me to let go of negative self-beliefs, and I have since been able to offer the teachings in this book to my own clients to help them change their internal narratives.

What I like about this book is that it dives deep into the messages that we receive as children and how we end up living out these messages. The book would refer to this as the agreements that we have made with ourselves due to our upbringing and experience. The book dives into four new agreements that we can make with ourselves to change our mindset and live a happier and more productive life.

Contributor: Meredith Futernick

Website: senseofselfholistic.com

8. The Art Of Happiness by The Dalai Lama

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The Dalai Lama has amazing insight into thoughts and feelings and ways of working with them to increase happiness.

The Dalai Lama gives readers the tools to stop fighting what is and accept what is happening around them. He describes fighting what is as a type of second suffering that is not helpful and not needed.

How often is this true in life? Sometimes life throws us curve balls and we sit in that unhappy place longer than we need to. The Dalai Lama teaches the skill to accept difficult emotions and allowing them to pass.

Contributor: Theresa Leskowat

Website: www.clearvistacounseling.com

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

Books on positivity can be a priceless resource on your journey to sustainable happiness. If there’s one area in your life that influences your happiness and that you have control over, it’s your own mindset. Being able to turn your thinking into something positive is one of the best skills to develop. These books on positive thinking should give you a good headstart!

What’s your favorite book for positive thinking? I’d love to hear your recommendations in the comments below!

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post The 8 Best Books for Positive Thinking for 2023 appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

These were selected based on a couple of factors, among which the expertise of the authors, the uniqueness of the content, and the overall helpfulness of the blog. Just so you know, these are blogs that focus on written content. There are some great podcasts or YouTube channels out there, but they are beyond the scope of this list!

This list is updated quarterly! If you have any feedback, let us know. You can find out contact information in the footer or at the bottom of this page!

The best happiness blogs of 2023

Here are the best blogs of 2023 that focus on happiness:

1. Tracking Happiness

• Link: https://trackinghappiness.com/
• Number of articles: Hundreds

This is our happiness blog, and we are working day and night to be the best happiness blog out there.

We are creating a single library of happiness resources. Our articles are frequently updated, based on peer-reviewed studies, and always contain actionable takeaways for our readers.

Furthermore, we maintain our own database of happiness facts and happiness studies.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

Find happiness with this 10-step mental health cheat sheet.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

2. The Science of Happiness

• Link: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/happiness
• Number of articles: Hundreds

This blog is run by the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. It offers evidence-based research and tips on how to increase happiness and well-being. The blog features articles on topics such as gratitude, resilience, and mindfulness, and provides practical advice based on scientific studies.

3. Live Happy

• Link: https://www.livehappy.com/
• Number of articles: Hundreds

Live Happy is a magazine-style blog that provides readers with inspiring stories, expert advice, and practical tips on how to live a happy and fulfilling life. The blog covers topics such as relationships, personal growth, and work-life balance, and is backed by a team of experts in the fields of psychology and wellness.

4. Positivity Blog

• Link: https://www.positivityblog.com/
• Number of articles: Hundreds

This blog is focused on personal development and positive thinking. The author, Henrik Edberg, shares his insights and advice on how to cultivate positive habits, overcome negative thinking patterns, and create a happier life. The blog also features articles on topics such as self-esteem, productivity, and communication.

5. The Happiness Project

• Link: http://gretchenrubin.com
• Number of articles: Hundreds

The Happiness Project is a blog and podcast by Gretchen Rubin, a bestselling author and happiness expert. The blog covers a wide range of topics related to happiness and well-being, including habits, relationships, and personal growth. The Happiness Project is also the name of Rubin’s bestselling book, which chronicles her year-long journey to boost her own happiness levels.

6. Tiny Buddha

• Link: https://tinybuddha.com/
• Number of articles: Thousands

This blog is focused on personal growth, mindfulness, and spirituality. The author, Lori Deschene, shares her own experiences and insights, as well as advice from other writers and experts in the field. The blog covers a wide range of topics, including self-acceptance, compassion, and resilience. Tiny Buddha also features a popular quote database, as well as a supportive online community.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

Did your favorite happiness blog make our list? Let us know in the comments and share your favorite blogs with us!

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post The Best Happiness Blogs of 2023 to Help You Find Happiness appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

But chances are you know a sociopath and interact with one every week. In fact, sociopathy is a lot more common than you might think. In a world where there are quite a lot of sociopaths, it’s important to understand what “tickles their happiness”. This article takes a closer look at whether or not sociopaths can be happy.

Can sociopaths be happy? In what scenario can a sociopath be happy while a regular person can’t? These questions will be answered in today’s article.

What is a sociopath?

Let’s first start with the basics. What makes a person a sociopath?

According to Wikipedia, any person that’s diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD) is considered to be a sociopath.

ASPD is a “disorder characterized by a long term pattern of disregard for the rights of others”.

What this means is that sociopaths are inclined towards:

• Lying.
• Showing no feelings of guilt or remorse.
• Feeling irresponsible towards others, even friends and family.
• Disregarding the safety and well-being of others.
• Impulsiveness, or the inability to plan ahead.
• Irritability and aggressiveness.

To be more precise, the World Health Organisation (WHO) maintains an International Statistical Classification of Diseases, which includes a diagnosis of dissocial personality disorder:

It is characterized by at least 3 of the following:

• Callous unconcern for the feelings of others;
• Gross and persistent attitude of irresponsibility and disregard for social norms, rules, and obligations;
• Incapacity to maintain enduring relationships, though having no difficulty in establishing them;
• Very low tolerance to frustration and a low threshold for discharge of aggression, including violence;
• Incapacity to experience guilt or to profit from experience, particularly punishment;
• Marked readiness to blame others or to offer plausible rationalizations for the behavior that has brought the person into conflict with society.

The broad definition of a sociopath

The definition of a sociopath is very broad. There’s not a single clear indication of being sociopathic. In fact, I think it’s safe to say that we all have shown sociopathic traits at some point in our lives. I mean, who hasn’t ever told a lie?

• Am I a sociopath if I curse at the person in front of me in traffic? (Irritability and aggressiveness)
• Am I a sociopath if I fail to remember my appointments or have overlapping meetings at work? (Inability to plan ahead)

Are sociopaths necessarily bad people?

Whenever you hear the word “sociopath” on the news, your mind automatically creates an image of a serial killer who’s had a terrible childhood. I know I do, yet it turns out that this stereotypical image of a sociopath is completely wrong.

So the answer is no: sociopaths are not necessarily bad people.

It turns out that sociopaths can be just as well-functioning as every other human being. In fact, about 4% of the population can be considered a sociopath.

By the way: Do you find it hard to be happy and in control of your life? It may not be your fault. To help you feel better, we’ve condensed the information of 100’s of articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet to help you be more in control.

Don’t Miss Out On Happiness

Find happiness with this 10-step mental health cheat sheet.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

What about psychopaths?

According to Wikipedia, the frequency of psychopaths is approximately 0.1%. Unfortunately, there is no universally agreed-upon diagnosis of what psychopathy really is.

This particular field of psychology is still heavily researched, as a lot of questions remain unanswered. However, it is commonly agreed that psychopaths show similar traits as sociopaths, only much worse.

What’s the difference between sociopaths and psychopaths? In my research, I’ve found this statement to explain it best:

Psychopaths lack an understanding of moral rights and wrongs. Sociopaths do understand this, but just don’t always care.

Are sociopaths happy?

Are sociopaths happy and how much do they differ from you and me?

Even though a sociopath is less inclined to feel emotions such as regret, remorse, guilt, or empathy, this doesn’t mean that they have no possibility of being happy.

When can sociopaths be happier?

A sociopath can sometimes be happy when others simply can’t, because they don’t have feelings of remorse or guilt.

These particular emotions usually don’t make us feel happy right away. So in theory, the complete lack of these emotions can result in more happiness.

However, it’s widely agreed that negative emotions are vital to long-term mental health. If you’re looking for a good read on the importance of negative emotions, this article is quite interesting.

In short, negative emotions exist in order to make us more aware of what we do, so that we can better act in the future. While the correcting nature of these negative emotions may cause us to feel unhappy momentarily, they will teach us how to cope better in the future.

Here’s an example: I once drove my car through a puddle of water at a high speed, causing the water to splash over an innocent pedestrian. The result? The man’s shoes were soaked and dirty.

My initial reaction was to laugh nervously.

Because whenever I watch a YouTube video where this happens, I usually find it a little funny as well, so why not laugh about it now? Without giving it much thought, my natural reaction was to just laugh about it.

However, 15 seconds later, I experienced a feeling of guilt and regret. I potentially ruined this man’s day. He might have been on his way to a job interview, a funeral, or a first date! I quickly stopped my nervous laughter and spent the rest of the day feeling bad.

This feeling of guilt makes me different from a sociopath (and a psychopath).

Was I happier as a result? No, because I spent the rest of the day feeling bad about what I did.

Would a sociopath have felt the same? No. So, therefore, a sociopath might feel happier in some scenarios.

Remorse and guilt are emotions that don’t make provide us with short-term happiness. These emotions exist so that we adjust our actions in the future and aim for long-term happiness instead. No one has ever felt happy as a result of feeling guilty.

Unfortunately, this hasn’t been researched yet. Would it be possible to have 50 “normal” people and 50 sociopaths all drive through a puddle at high speed in order to splash someone’s shoes? We could then measure their feelings of guilt and remorse, in combination with their feelings of happiness.

Why sociopaths are less likely to find long-term happiness

In the end, it’s impossible to tell at this point whether or not sociopaths are less happy than “normal people”. Especially with the lack of research in this field of psychology.

However, I still want to do my best to answer the question of this article as best as I can.

Can sociopaths be happy?

Yes, but they are less likely to be as happy as “normal people”.

Why? Because long-term happiness is strongly correlated with developing good relationships.

And since sociopaths are by definition diagnosed with Antisocial Personality Disorder, it’s safe to assume that sociopaths are less likely to develop good relationships.

Sociopaths are less inclined to:

• Think about the safety and well-being of others.
• Consider how others feel about certain things.
• Maintain an enduring relationship, even though they have no difficulty in establishing one.
• Feel guilt, regret, or remorse.

To me, all these things sound pretty crucial in a good relationship. As a result, sociopaths are less inclined to feel emotions that are crucial in developing good relationships

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

Sociopaths are much more common than one might think. In fact, the word “sociopath” is often used in a meaning that doesn’t match its definition. Still, sociopaths are less inclined to feel emotions that are crucial in developing good relationships. According to scientific research, good relationships are positively correlated with happiness. Therefore, sociopaths are less inclined to find long-term happiness when compared to “normal people”. However, there is no research available specifically about the direct correlation between sociopathy and happiness.

Were you as surprised by this article as I was? I’ve learned a lot about sociopathy that I didn’t know before! Was there anything I missed? Do you have any anecdotes that you want to share? I’d love to know about it in the comments below!

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post Sociopaths: Can They be Happy? (What Does it Mean to Be One?) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

We’ve written a lot about how money can buy happiness in some scenarios. However, this effect is often indirect and not directly traced back to you swiping your credit card. Even then, there are just some things that cannot be bought with money.

This article discusses the things that money will never buy for you, why that is, and why you should focus on what matters most (it’s not money).

Top 6 things money won’t buy

Without further ado, let’s dive into the things that your credit card will never get you. But please remember that there are plenty of other ways that you can still “acquire” these things.

1. Money won’t buy you respect

If you want to be respected, you shouldn’t expect a couple of credit card swipes to do the trick.

Instead, you should earn respect by inspiring others or making the world a better place. How? It depends.

When researching this topic, I landed on this page by Gallup about the most admired people, and ironically, all the people on this list are either billionaires or millionaires. But did these people make the list because of their wealth, or because of their other achievements? Who knows.

As for me, I have the most respect for people that (voluntarily) try to make the world a better place. And you often don’t need any money for this.

• Try to volunteer for a cause that you believe in (and find yourself to be happier as a result!)
• The next time you go for a walk, bring an empty bag with you and pick up the trash.
• Strike up a friendly conversation with someone who looks sad or lost.
• Be nice to others and spread happiness.

2. Wisdom

Sure, money buys you an education, and education gives you knowledge. But does that result in wisdom?

My grandfather taught me that wisdom is not the same as being smart. Some of the smartest people can act the most ignorant, while I know plenty of less-educated people who are much wiser than that.

In my opinion, wisdom comes from experience, self-awareness, learning to think before speaking, and mental resilience. Are these things that you can buy?

I don’t think so.

If you’re wondering how you can still improve yourself in these aspects, here are some tips:

• Try keeping a self-awareness journal.
• Purchase and read a couple of self-improvement books.
• Set small goals and reflect on them with honesty.

3. Love can’t be bought with money

This one tops most of these lists. Google the phrase “things money can’t buy” and every single article will say that you can’t buy love.

It’s true, though. No matter how rich you are, money won’t buy you a partner that you love and loves you back.

Love is built with trust, communication, work, and even sacrifice. These things have nothing to do with money.

4. True friendships

Just as how money can’t buy you love, it also won’t buy you true friendships.

According to psychologist Robert B. Hays, as cited in the Handbook of Personal Relationships, friendship is a “voluntary interdependence between two persons over time, that is intended to facilitate socio-emotional goals of the participants, and may involve varying types and degrees of companionship, intimacy, affection and mutual assistance”.

Or, put shortly: friendship is a supportive relationship between people, but you define the rest.

In another article on this site about how to be a good friend, we discussed 13 essential traits of good friendships:

• Trustworthiness.
• Honesty with others.
• Being very dependable.
• Loyalty to loved ones.
• Ability to trust others.
• Experiencing and expressing empathy for others.
• Being non-judgemental.
• Being a good listener.
• Supporting others in their good times.
• Supporting others in their bad times.
• Being self-confident.
• Being able to find humor in life.
• Being fun to be around

Do any of these things require money? No!

5. Self-esteem

Money doesn’t buy you self-esteem.

Now, before you argue that rich people are often obnoxious and condescending, this doesn’t mean that they are confident in themselves. Or at least, not for the right reasons. I don’t want to name any real-life examples, but if you’ve seen The Wolf Of Wall Street, you might get the idea.

If your self-esteem is dependent on the number of commas in your investment account, then I wouldn’t call that self-esteem.

In a recent article on confidence, we found that self-confidence is made up of a lot of things money can’t buy:

• Personal achievements.
• Physical and mental health.
• Gender, with men being often more confident than women.
• Stress.
• Quality of relationships (which you also can’t buy).

Want to work on your self-esteem in a meaningful way? Try the self-esteem activities discussed in this article!

6. Gratitude

Being grateful is not just dependent on how much you have to be thankful for. It’s based on what you choose to be grateful for.

Being grateful is a choice that you can make. There are poor people in the world that are grateful for the simple fact that they have a healthy family or even a roof above their head. Yet, there are some rich people who are under the impression that they have nothing to be grateful for.

No amount of money will buy you the feeling of being grateful.

So what? Why do I have to be grateful, you ask?

It turns out that gratitude is linked to happiness. If you want a happy life, it’s proven that a little gratitude every once in a while is not a bad idea.

Here are some tips on how to be more grateful in life.

Can money buy happiness?

What about happiness?

Can money buy happiness? It’s certainly the most Googled question, so the answer is probably not as easy as the others on this list.

I scoured the web for the answer and ironically had to conclude that yes, money can buy you a little happiness.

How?

Well, because money can buy things that are significantly linked to happiness. And I’m not just talking about fleeting happiness, like buying a good bottle of wine, a birthday cake, or a jet ski.

I’m talking about long-term happiness.

It turns out that money can buy you these things:

• Safety.
• Stability and assurance.
• Comfort.
• Experiences.

Some studies even went as far as to say that money can buy you time.

These things are all, in fact, heavily linked to happiness. So yes, money can buy you a fraction of happiness if you spend it wisely.

Why money is not the goal

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this article, it’s that money should never be the end goal of your decisions.

Of course, we all need money to live a safe, happy and comfortable life. But money is just a vehicle that allows us to get there. Having more money won’t necessarily make you a better or happier human being.

Being an honest, kind, grateful, and loving person makes you a better human being. 

And money will never buy you these things.

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

I’m sure I missed a couple of other things that money can’t buy, but these are definitely some of the most important. Instead of focusing just on the money in your bank account, try to spend some time and effort on the things that money won’t just buy you.

Do you have an interesting anecdote that you want to share, about how money bought you something that’s on this list? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post 6 Things Money Can’t Buy (and Why it Shouldn’t Matter) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

If you’re just here for the best overall leather journal, you’ll want to have a look at the POROMO leather journal. This beautifully unique journal will be a joy to write in, and it looks and feels amazing.

Continue reading below for my top picks: these are the best leather journals in their categories.

Tracking Happiness is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The best leather journals

I’ve hand-picked 6 journals that are all 100% made out of genuine leather. Whether you’re traveling or going for that vintage look, I’ve selected the best journal for every occasion.

1. Best overall: POROMO leather journal

You’re probably looking for a leather journal because you are looking for character and durability.

Then the POROMO leather journal could easily be your next journal. It is one of the sturdiest and well-crafted journals on the market and uses full-grain leather of the highest quality.

Specifications

Check on Amazon

In addition to the fact that this journal looks and feels amazing, it has some great features that you should know about.

First off, the build quality is top-notch. Everything from the stitching to the paper breathes quality.

The journal comes with a leather wrapping that covers the top side, which adds extra protection to the paper. Not only that, but it also adds character to this journal. There’s nothing like wrapping up your finished entry after a nice writing or drawing session.

And it gets better.

The paper in this journal is of great quality, which means there’s minimal shadowing and bleed-through when using fountain pens. With that said, big markers do show a bit of bleed-through, but good luck finding a journal that doesn’t have this issue. The book contains 120 pages of lined paper, which you can refill as soon as you’ve filled it up. With this kind of leather quality, that means this journal – and your amazing memories and stories – will live on for a long time.

It’s safe to say that this journal will probably outlive you!

Pros:

• Excellent build quality
• Beautiful design
• Full-grain leather of the highest quality
• Refillable
• Leather wrap for that extra security and quality

Cons

• No inner pockets or pen holder

2. Runner-up: The Wanderings Grande Leather Journal

Are you a creative artist in the making? Do you hate being contained by lined paper or a lack of space? Then look no further, because the Wanderings Grande leather journal might be all you need.

Specifications

Check on Amazon

The thing I like most about this journal is its size.

Its pages are spacious and blank, and allow you to express every thought that enters your mind. Feel like drawing? Go ahead, there’s plenty of room! You can go absolutely bananas with this journal!

But in all seriousness, this journal has more than just the size going for it.

The 90 pages that are included when shipped are also refillable, so this journal will last a very long time when properly taken care of. The journal is made of full-grain leather, which is the highest quality you’ll find (more on this at the bottom of this article). Everything about this journal screams quality, from the touch to the smell and from the looks to the paper.

This journal packs some serious personality. And even though it’s the highest-priced journal in this article, I still think it’s cheap when considering the total package and build quality of this thing!

Pros:

• Big blank pages act as a perfect creative outlet
• Still easily fits your bags or luggage
• Full-grain leather of the highest quality
• Refillable
• Leather strip to protect your paper
• Elastic closure doubles as a pen holder

Cons

• No inner pockets

3. Best Budget Pick: OleksynPrannyk Leather Covered Moleskine Journal

You have probably heard of the famous Italian Moleskine journals. These journals are known for their simplicity and quality.

Oleksyn Prannyk has taken these journals and improved them with a great leather jacket. And it comes at a relatively low price! Therefore, I’ve selected it as the best budget leather journal.

Specifications

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It’s hard to find a “budget” journal made of quality leather, as the market is flooded with faux (or imitation) leather journals.

This leather-covered Moleskine journal by Oleksyn Prannyk showed the best price and value, in addition to other great features.

This bundle comes with a Moleskine Cahier notebook, which is so often claimed as the most simple, yet elegant journal out there. These journals are great for capturing your personal thoughts, memories, stories, and experiences.

It comes with 80 pages of lined paper and the journals are easily replaceable once they’re filled!

The leather cover that Oleksyn Prannyk has made fits this Moleskine journal perfectly. It looks, feels, and smells amazing. The top-grain leather is of very high quality, even though it is not full-grain (the highest quality). But then again, I wish you the best of luck with finding a similar type of leather at this price point!

Also, the leather flap contains a wide pocket for your pens or loose notes.

Pros:

• Very nicely priced!
• Great quality leather (especially for its price)
• Moleskine journals are proven bad-asses
• Refillable
• Leather flap contains pocket

Cons

• No full-grain leather

4. Best Vintage Style: Moonster Handmade Leather Journal

If you’re like me and think that journaling is a form of art in itself, then you obviously care about how your journal looks. That’s why I included the best “vintage” looking leather journal in this contest.

Even though this comes down to personal taste, I think this leather journal has the most authentic look of the bunch. No matter what you do with it, this journal is already a work of art!

Specifications

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This leather journal is the most authentic on this list, and it’s probably easy to see why.

The leather straps and bindings all add to that vintage feel of this journal. In addition, this full-grain buffalo leather is handcrafted and built with extreme care. What this means is that your journal is already unique when it gets shipped.

It comes with 120 pages of blank, cream-colored paper. The best thing about this paper is that it’s handcrafted and recycled. The materials are selected with the end-user (that’s you!) in mind, meaning that it does not contain any traces of acid and is environmentally clean.

And it shows in the product. The paper is not like any other paper that you’d find in a journal. It’s thick durable paper with an almost cloth-like texture. As a result, writing on this paper feels more sincere and authentic, which only adds to the feeling of creating a piece of art rather than just a journal.

The paper is not refillable according to the producer (but some people have done it with some creativity and patience) which means you’ll eventually finish this journal to the brim. Once that happens, you’ll have a beautiful piece of vintage art that will decorate your bookshelf for the rest of your life.

Pros:

• Beautiful vintage design
• Full-grain leather of the highest quality
• Very well crafted and handmade
• Comes in multiple sizes
• Optional concealed pen holder
• Environment-friendly paper with a unique feel

Cons

• Non-refillable
• Some people might need to get used to the texture of the paper

5. Best For Traveling: Sovereign-Gear Leather Travel Journal

Travel journaling is about capturing memories. Therefore, a travel journal should be convenient, as you want to take your journal with you at all times. You probably want to journal about something as soon as it’s over, or maybe even as it’s happening!

This Sovereign-Gear Leather Travel Journal is as convenient as a journal gets. It comes with a lot of additional handy features, which makes it a perfect addition to your travel packing list!

Specifications

Check on Amazon

As said, this leather journal comes with a lot of useful features.

The paper is refillable, and it comes with 3 packs of premium quality paper right out of the box. So whenever you’re filled up but still want to continue without having to visit a store, you can easily refill the journal with your pre-packed resupplies.

It also comes with a detachable metal clip with a pen holder, along with a cardholder and zipper bag. This allows you to easily carry maps, polaroid pictures, or coins in your journal as well. It is by far the most convenient travel journal that I could find.

The leather is of high quality full-grain crazy horse leather, which is thick, soft, and cut from one piece. It is therefore not stitched, which should only benefit its strength and durability. Yet another reason why this leather journal is great for you travelers!

The 3 packs of paper are lined, squared, and blank, and each counts 30 pages.

As a final selling point, this journal is shipped with a stylish faux leather pen.

Pros:

• Perfect for travelers
• Durable and convenient
• Full-grain leather of the highest quality
• Comes with a lot of useful extras
• Refillable

Cons

• Leather might feel oily

6. Best Pocket Journal: Newestor Pocket Leather Journal

When you want to take your journal with you everywhere you go, you probably need a journal that fits your pocket.

This Newestor Leather Pocket Journal keeps all the advantages of a good leather journal, but packs it in a small enough size that fits your pocket! It’s hard to find quality leather journals at this size, but this one ticks all the boxes!

Specifications

Check on Amazon

Don’t be fooled by the size of this little journal, as the specifications are just as impressive as its bigger brothers.

It’s made of the same high-quality, full-grain leather that you’ve come to expect. This means that this bundle is very durable, and has a great look, touch, and authentic leather smell. This pocket journal can definitely take a beating.

This is good because a pocket is generally not the most comfortable and safe location for a journal.

The leather is also made from a single piece, meaning there are no stitches or anything.

The producer of this journal has kept it simple in regards to the features. And in this case, simple is good! Pocket journals need to be durable and easy to use, and this bad-boy is certainly that!

It comes with a 32-page insertable notebook with dot grid paper, which is easily replaceable.

Pros:

• Fits your pocket!
• Very durable
• Full-grain leather of the highest quality
• Refillable

Cons

• None (simple is good)!

What to look for when buying a leather journal

Do you know what’s nice about leather journals?

It’s that no two leather journals are the same. A leather journal is yours and yours only, since every marking, scratch and rough edge only gives it extra character. Journaling in a book that is clearly built with care and quality really adds to the experience.

As a result, you’ll get to create a piece of art that will last you the rest of your life (and then some!).

If you’re still wondering what leather journal is best for you, then let me explain what to look for during your search.

What kind of journal-style do you have?

There’s a lot of different ways to journal. Some people like to:

• write walls of text about how their day went (I belong to this demographic)
• draw or doodle their feelings or emotions
• write stories, poetry or fiction
• create to-do lists or calendars
• bullet-journal
• follow certain journal prompts

Hey, some people might even like to do all of this in separate journals.

Depending on your writing style, you need to think about what type of paper you want. If you like to doodle or sketch, then you’ll likely want a journal with blank or dotted pages. If you write walls of text, then having lined paper obviously helps.

If you want multiple styles in the same journal, you need one that is refillable with different types of paper.

Where are you planning to journal?

When I first started journaling, it was simply unthinkable to journal out in the open.

Therefore, my journal was always safely stored away (I hid it under my bed 99% of the time).

If you are looking for a journal, then you need to think about where you’re going to take it. Are you planning on bringing it on your travels? Maybe you’ll take it with you on a plane, or out on the ocean? Do you carry it around all the time, or can you safely store it away in your bookshelf?

You need quality leather if you’re planning on using it a lot. Especially if you take it outside and carry it in a bag all the time.

Types of leather

Leather journals are easily the most beautiful and premium-looking journals out there. I don’t think many of you will disagree with me here.

However, it’s important to know what types of leather are out there. Especially since the market is flooded with journals that claim to be “genuine” leather, but only turn out to be fake when you receive them in the mail. Look out for cheap “leather” journals that are priced below $15,-. It’s very likely that you won’t get an authentic leather journal when paying this kind of amount.

In short, these are the types of leather that you often see in journals:

• Full-grain or top-grain leather
• Reconstituted, Bonded or Fibre Leather

Full-grain or top-grain leather

These types of leather are of the highest quality that you can find. They’re the most durable and strongest of all kinds of leather because they retain the layer of skin which is found just below the hair, giving it breathability and resistance to wear.

Full-grain leather has not undergone any post-treatment, meaning that it’s the most authentic and true leather out there. It’s made of the upper layer of a hide and shows all the features that were originally part of the skin. This truly means that no two pieces will be the same. This is why full-grain leather is considered to be the best.

Top-grain is the second-best type of layer. Top-grain leather is made of the same piece of the hide as full-grain leather but has undergone some degree of post-treatment – likely sanding or buffing – in order to cover imperfections. They are often cheaper and easier to handle compared to their full-grain counterparts.

Reconstituted, Bonded, Faux or Fibre Leather

No matter how you put it, these types of leather are all simply artificial. This means that they might contain traces of leather, but have all been processed and mixed with several other fabrics in order to “fake” the real feel of leather.

Some of these types use the leftover pieces of leather and are then mixed with either polyurethane, cotton, vinyl, or other synthetics and pasted onto a level surface.

Some producers go as far as to include 51% of the material with leather scraps and then decide to call it “genuine leather”.

Of course, these products are a lot less expensive, which might be great for those who don’t necessarily care about the quality and durability of real leather. But in general, these types of materials only emulate the look of leather and tend to degrade a lot quicker than their counterparts.

I’ve carefully selected journals that are made of the best quality leather in this article. You may find similar journals online that are cheaper, but it is very likely that these products won’t be made of 100% genuine leather.

Please note that leather journals could still have a layer of excess oil on them. Leathers are generally finished (or tanned) with an oil-based substance, in order to increase their water resistance.

That’s why some leather products might feel oily when purchased new. This will gradually wear off over time. In the meantime, be wary of your leather journal when contacted with other fabrics, as this oily surface might leave a mark on your backpack or pockets!

How to take good care of your leather journal

If you have just bought a great leather journal, then you are probably interested in keeping it in good quality for as long as possible. That’s why I’ve collected some tips on how to take good care of your new leather journal.

But first, let me be clear: leather is a VERY sturdy and durable product, and can sure handle more stresses than most other materials. If you are careful with your journal and treat it delicately, you will certainly enjoy your leather journal for many years.

That said, here are some of my tips for taking care of your leather journal.

The first thing that’s important to know when taking care of a leather journal (or anything that’s leather for that matter):

Treat leather like it’s your own skin.

Leather is made of animal hide, so it’s a biological product. This means that it will slowly degrade when it comes in contact with certain materials or situations.

1. Keep it out of direct sunlight for prolonged durations
2. Don’t place it near a heat source (like a furnace)
3. Keep it away from (excess) water
4. Chemicals (especially cleaning soaps or acids) don’t do well on leather

These types of materials all have a negative effect on leather. Being a biological product, leather contains a level of moisture by default. If this moisture is removed (by means of heating or sunlight) then the leather will deform. This could result in the leather becoming brittle or even starting to crack.

Washing the leather with water is okay, as long as you don’t sink the leather completely for a prolonged time. Leather will slowly absorb water, which means that the volume and shape of the leather will also change. When this water then vaporizes, you will be left with a deformed piece of leather.

This is also why most leathers are finished with oil treatment, in order to increase its resistance against water.

It’s best to clean your leather journal with a damp piece of cloth if you ever need to.

What about scratches?

In my honest opinion, scratches only add to the character and personality of your leather journal.

Think of them as scars!

Either way, you will likely be able to rub most scratches off if you want to.

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post Top 6 Best Leather Journals in 2022 (For Every Occasion!) appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

The answer seems to be yes – although not all the time. Research shows that most mental health professionals are satisfied with their job. But at the end of the day, they are humans like everyone else. They have bad days and sometimes, a client’s problem can hit too close to home. At the same time, the job can be hugely rewarding and interesting, with every day bringing a new challenge. 

In this article I’ll take a look at the different factors that influence counseling psychologists’ happiness, relying both on research and personal experience, and try to answer the question, are counseling psychologists happy?

The cons of being a psychologist

As I wrote in the article about compassion, one of the questions I get asked most often is “Isn’t it difficult and depressing to listen to other people’s troubles all day?”

This is often followed by, “I couldn’t do it!” or, occasionally, “My friends tell me I’m a good listener and I always wanted to study psychology…”

Of course, it takes a lot more than being a naturally good listener to be a psychologist. Listening is only half of the job, you also need to be able to communicate clearly. You need to have empathy, but not too much or you’ll risk empathy burnout. In addition to an interest to understand what makes other people tick, you need keen introspection skills. 

And, of course, you need patience to gently encourage change as well as to deal with the heaps of paperwork that come with the job. 

Clearly, the biggest con is that it is not easy being a psychologist. It’s a mentally taxing job. On the other hand, I would argue that so is any job in the service industry or teaching.

The pros of being a psychologist

Despite the difficulty, there are people who enjoy being a psychologist. One of the key reasons is that helping others is rewarding.

I got a few cards from some of the students I’ve worked with at the end of the school year, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I teared up at the heartfelt thanks. Similarly, I cherish every time an internet counseling client writes that I’ve been a help to them.

Secondly, psychology and counseling are interesting. For example, in Estonia (where I’m from) the psychology bachelor’s programs are constantly some of the most popular degree courses at universities: in 2020, the program offered by Tallinn University was the 3rd most popular course by the number of applications in the country, while the University of Tartu’s program was 5th. 

Of course, there’s far less competition for master’s degree programs (the lowest required qualification to work as a counseling or school psychologist in Estonia). Many students decide to use their psych BA degree in other fields, like human resources, statistics (there’s more math in psychology than you’d expect), or marketing. 

But some push bravely on. The internet counseling service I work at uses volunteer counselors, most of whom are last-year bachelor’s or master’s students. Every year, we get more applications than we have available resources for new volunteers, and this year, the competition came out to about two people per place. 

The main reason for applying was what you may expect: people want to use their newly-acquired counseling skills to help people. Also, they want to work with real people with real problems, not textbook examples; they want to be challenged.

Having now worked as a school psychologist and an internet counselor for almost four years, I can confirm: there are plenty of real problems to go around. Every new day and every new client brings a new challenge. Your skills are constantly evolving and there’s no such thing as a boring day at the office. 

Are psychologists satisfied with the job?

This is by no means a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of being a psychologist. Many are dependent on the country you live and work in, like your salary, required education and qualifications, and the perceived status of the job. 

However, on some level, it does boil down to the balance of the difficulty of the job and the satisfaction you find in it. 

What about job satisfaction?

In fact, job satisfaction is closely related to happiness. A 2010 meta-analysis reports that in general, job satisfaction is positively related to life satisfaction, happiness, positive affect, and the absence of negative affect. 

However, the same article posits that general subjective well-being may cause job satisfaction, not the other way around. If you’re happy, you’re more likely to be satisfied with your job. Still, there is no denying that dissatisfaction with your job will influence your overall happiness levels. 

So what makes a psychologist happy in their job? According to a 2012 study, one of the most important factors is work-life balance, as well as the sense of control at work. Other predictors of job satisfaction include working hours, caseload, therapeutic mode, administrative responsibilities, professional improvement strategies, and negative client interactions. 

A 2017 article reports similar results in a sample of pediatric psychologists. 

According to both articles, psychologists report generally high job satisfaction, despite the negative effect that some factors can have on job satisfaction. 

How trauma affects happiness

Job satisfaction is a pretty universal factor in our subjective well-being. However, there are some aspects of the job that are unique to counseling, or at least the helping professions. 

One of them is the highly sensitive nature of the job. People don’t seek counseling when everything is fine, they seek it when something’s wrong. And occasionally, clients’ problems will hit too close to home. 

During my first year of internet counseling, I got a message from a client regarding a hard breakup three days after my own. In hindsight, I know that I should’ve referred the client to someone else instead of trying to help them sort through the mess of a breakup while I was yet to begin to recover from mine. 

But these things can happen: counselors and psychologists are human like everyone else, and many experiences are shared, some of which may be traumatic. 

A 2018 article reports that when it comes to working with similar trauma, there are two predictors of happiness: the number of sessions per client and lower severity of the client’s posttraumatic stress symptoms. 

In other words, counselor happiness increased when the number of sessions per client increased and as posttraumatic stress symptoms decreased. The authors hypothesize that the longer a counselor is able to work with a client in distress, the more progress is made and the more satisfaction the counselor experiences, which contributes to happiness. 

Regarding the counselor’s own traumatic experiences, the study found that counselors with a personal trauma history have a lower happiness score than counselors without a personal trauma history, but counselors who see clients with trauma similar to theirs were not significantly different than those who do not. 

Is self-care the key to happiness?

Another thing I have learned in my – admittedly short – career as a psychologist is that self-care is essential. I’m quick to repeat the familiar flight safety instruction to my students and clients (“Put the oxygen mask on yourself first and then help others”), but over time, I’ve realized the value of this advice in the context of my own career. 

It should go without saying that self-care is important for everyone, but even more so for professions like this. You cannot pour from an empty cup and not only is an overworked and stressed psychologist an unhappy psychologist, but they are also liable to make mistakes in their work. 

A part of self-care is definitely having a good work-life balance. Having fulfilling hobbies and nurturing your personal relationships promotes happiness. Knowing how to close both the physical and metaphorical door after your workday is an important part of thriving as a psychologist. 

Another important part of the psychologist self-care package is supervision. Not only is some form of supervision required in most countries, I know first-hand how helpful it can be. 

For most of my career, I have participated in group supervisions, which are perfect for making you feel less alone. Knowing that other professionals have the same questions and concerns worked wonders on my imposter syndrome. 

Individual supervision sessions provide a similar, yet distinct feeling of being understood and validated, while also helping me work through difficult cases that have been weighing on my mind. 

All of this contributes towards my professional competency and personal happiness derived from succeeding in my job. 

Mindfulness is quite a universal self-care technique that everyone can benefit from and psychologists are no exception. A 2007 article reports that teaching mindfulness-based stress reduction to mental health professionals in training significantly decreases stress and negative affect, and increases positive affect and self-compassion. 

Do you need to be happy to help others find their happiness?

Looking at the research as well as my own experience, the answer is no, but it certainly helps. Just like with any other job, there are better days and worse days, but the job still needs to get done. 

It’s natural to expect mental health professionals to have their life together before giving out advice to others. I’m going to let you in on a little secret here: our lives are mostly together, but we all have our bad days. 

I can be all poetic about the importance of self-compassion, but there are days when I’m definitely not compassionate to myself. When this happens, I apply the same techniques I teach my students and clients. 

The same applies to overall happiness. Most days, most psychologists are happy, but there will be days when we’re not at 100%. Generally, this doesn’t make us any worse at our job, and if it does, it’s a sign to take a break. 

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Wrapping up

Counseling psychologists are human like everyone else and that’s what makes us able to do our job. Research shows a generally high job satisfaction among the profession, but everyone can have bad days. Counseling is an emotionally taxing job and sometimes the clients’ problems can hit too close to home. With adequate self-care, however, counselors are happy (and happy to help).

Maili Tirel Author

School psychologist, teacher and internet counselor from Estonia. Passionate about coffee, reading, dancing, and singing in the shower, much to the neighbors’ dismay. Counseling catchphrase: “It’s okay!“

The post Are Counseling Psychologists Happy Themselves? appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing someone very interesting: Lana Blakely!

If you don’t know who Lana is, here’s a quick intro:

Lana is a born-and-raised-in-Sweden, clumsy, introverted woman who loves walking around the streets of Stockholm with a camera strap around her neck.

(These are her words, not mine!)

She finds immense joy in overthinking things and felt the need for a creative outlet around two years ago, which is when she decided to start posting videos on YouTube. She now gets to overthink together with hundreds of thousands of other people who engage on the channel, and it’s one of the things she’s most grateful for in life.

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A post shared by Lana Blakely (@lanablakely)

Lana Blakely runs a popular YouTube channel, with 734k subscribers as of right now. She’s uploaded popular videos such as “A Real Day in the Life of an Introvert” and “I Journaled for 17 Years and it Changed My Life” and discusses subjects that are often featured on Tracking Happiness as well.

Without further adieu, here’s the interview.

Just to get started, what quote do you currently like most, and why?

I’m a quote-collector, and I used to not even like quotes! I currently really like this one by George Bernard Shaw:

“Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.”

Some people willingly get into arguments and disputes, and some even get satisfaction from it. I’ve learned over the years to choose my inner peace over choosing to be right, and I do that by being mindful of who I engage with, both on the internet and in real life.

This quote reminds me of that.

This site is about “happiness”. What does this word currently mean for you?

I try to think of happiness as a common feeling, because the harder I think about happiness and what it means, the more complex and difficult it seems to be to feel it.

As if it’s an unreachable goal that can only be achieved if every single aspect of a person’s life is perfectly aligned, and I don’t think that’s a realistic way of viewing life.

Today, I went out on a walk after my lunch. The sun started to come out behind the clouds, so I decided to sit down on a bench by an ice rink and listen to a podcast. I sat there for about an hour, and I felt great! I was full and quenched because I had just eaten, I was getting fresh air, the sun was warming me up, I got to see kids ice-skating and I was being intellectually stimulated by the podcast.  

Sure, that moment may not define my overall “happiness” (whatever that means), but in that moment, I couldn’t really have asked for anything more, and I like to think of that as happiness.

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A post shared by Lana Blakely (@lanablakely)

What factors impacted your happiness the most recently?

(Both positive and negative)

I’m currently doing a social media detox, and the positive impact that it’s already had on my mental health has been beyond what I expected. I feel less distracted, more present and my overall mood is better. I should take breaks more often.

As for negative, I mean, we all have things we’re battling in life, and I’m no exception. I’m just doing my best to cope with the things that are weighing me down. That’s really all we can do.

What’s something that you’ve been really grateful for these last couple of weeks?

The weather!

Anyone who lives in the northern hemisphere knows how refreshing it feels to finally get some sun and light after a long, dark winter.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lana Blakely (@lanablakely)

Do you keep a journal? If yes, what are the biggest benefits of journaling in your opinion? 

I’ve kept journals for many, many years.

I could write a long post about the benefits, but I think one of the most important ones in my life has been being able to notice different patterns in my life e.g., in my emotions, thoughts, and behavior.

It’s good to be able to look back and see how I’ve handled different situations, how they made me feel, and to see if (and how) I can apply that to a current situation. It’s sort of become my manual for living.  

(ps: Lana created a fantastic video on journaling, which goes into this topic more. If you wanna know how journaling can become a manual for living, definitely watch this video! )

What are your thoughts on living a purposeful life?

I believe we have multiple purposes, and that’s something that is going to look different for everyone. Personally, anything that feels meaningful to me in any way, makes me feel like I’m living purposefully. That could be everything from sharing my voice online to being a good friend to sitting on a bench by a tree.

I like this quote by Alan Watts that a subscriber shared in the comment section of a video I made covering this very topic:

“The meaning of life is just to be alive. It is so plain and so obvious and so simple. And yet, everybody rushes around in a great panic as if it were necessary to achieve something beyond themselves.”

What’s your all-time favorite book and why?

I actually wrote about this topic in my newsletter recently, about how I feel awkward whenever I get asked about my favorite ‘X’. I’ve come to peace with the fact that I’m simply not a favorites kind of person.

But I’ll say this, I really, really enjoyed reading Stoner by John Williams, and I hold that book very dear to my heart. If you’d like a second recommendation, I’d go with Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse.

What inspired you to become a creator on YouTube?

I would say that storytelling is what inspired me. For thousands of years, stories are what have brought people together, which is an idea I felt very drawn to.

I wanted to build a community of like-minded people, who in turn could connect with each other. I decided to tell my stories mainly in a video format because it allows me to be creative. And I’ve loved taking photos and filming for many years, so it felt natural to me.

How does being a creator influence your mental health? How do you deal with the negativity?

This takes me back to the first question about a quote I really like.

Unfortunately, the online world has plenty of pigs who thrive on getting dirty, and I’m a human being with emotions, so of course, it gets to me sometimes.

But in proportion to the amount of love, support and positivity that I receive every single day, it’s almost insignificant. I’d feel foolish not to focus my attention on that.

What’s a fun fact that not a lot of people know about you?

I make a lot of ugly faces, especially when I’m on FaceTime with friends or family.

I think I often come across as a very serious person to those who only know me via social media, which is true to some extent. But I’m definitely a goof at heart.

That’s it for now! I want to thank Lana for taking the time to chat with me over Google Meet and to answer my questions.

For you readers, here are a couple of takeaways:

• Lana’s favorite quote is “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty and the pig likes it.”
• Stoner by John Williams and Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse are some of her favorite books.
• She’s been journaling for years and thinks it’s one of her most powerful habits.

Want to follow Lana more closely?

• Subscribe to Lana’s YouTube channel (like me!)
• Follow her on Instagram.
• Join her newsletter!

What question would you have liked to see on this interview? Let me know in the comments below!

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post Interviewing Lana Blakely – Thoughts On Journaling, Favorite Quotes And More… appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

What do these things have in common?

Answer: I had no idea what they all meant 6 years ago. (there are probably more correct answers) But that didn’t stop me from registering www.trackinghappiness.com on April 1^st, 2017.

Tracking Happiness started as a very simple blog. I wanted to share with others how powerful tracking my happiness was, and how it has positively influenced my mental health, self-awareness, and my life in general.

This short post will showcase some of the site’s design changes, to show you what a complete design newbie (like me) can do with a bit of time on his hands.

2017 design

At first, I had no idea how to design a website (let alone make it pretty, but I didn’t learn that any time soon). So I just used a standard website template and went from there.

This is what it looked like:

(if you remember this design, that means you’ve been around for over 3 years already!)

At one point, some people pointed out to me that my homepage wasn’t clear. Was this just a blog? What was this all about? These people kindly told me that it should be clear what Tracking Happiness really is.

2018 design

So I spent some long nights re-designing the frontpage into this:

(I discovered the “Title with image background” feature, and opened the floodgates on that one…)

After a couple of months, people started to let me know how much they disliked the specific color blue I used. Also, where the hell is my logo? A site like Tracking Happiness should have a logo!

I eventually opened my wallet and hired someone who could make me a proper logo. Mind you, Tracking Happiness was earning exactly $0.00 at the time, so this was not a light decision!

But I eventually got a logo that is still proudly presented on the site to this day!

Edit: not anymore!

2019 design

Last year, I went on another “design spree” and was quite happy with the result:

I replaced the blue colors with a warm and friendly mix of blue and green. I thought the color palette matched perfectly with the new shiny logo!

At the time, Tracking Happiness was still struggling to reach an audience. But I was already extremely happy with the audience that I had. Mind you, when I first registered the website in 2017, I was just looking to interact with like-minded people.

I woke up to wonderful e-mails from you guys every couple of weeks, which made it all worth it.

After a while, however, I grew kinda sick of that weird half-blue-half-green color scheme.

Also, the website used lots of clunky page builders that are often used by newbies (like me) that are a pain in the @#% to maintain.

So after a couple of sleepless nights and re-iterations, I finally settled on the current design.

For now…

This current design is less colorful and flashy, but I really like the simplicity and minimalistic approach.

In a couple of years, I went from a complete design noob to… well. Uhm. I guess I’m still a total noob. But at least, now I know a little bit more about PHP, JavaScript, HTML, web hosting, and CSS.

Maybe, someday, Tracking Happiness will be praised for its ground-breaking design, but I’m not holding my breath for that one.

Wrapping up

If you want more behind-the-scenes updates like this one, then join the Tracking Happiness community and sign up for periodic email updates here:

By the way: If you want to start feeling better and more productive, I’ve condensed the information of 100’s of our articles into a 10-step mental health cheat sheet here.

This Cheat Sheet Will Help You Be Happier and More Productive

Thrive under stress and crush your goals with these 10 unique tips for your mental health.

Download The Free Cheat Sheet

Which design did you like the most?

Did you like the colorful designs more than the current one? Or do you think it’s all a hideous mess that should be killed with fire?

Let me know in the comments below!

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post (Meta) Showcasing Tracking Happiness’ Design Changes! appeared first on Tracking Happiness.

The quotes on this page are selected from the web, and will hopefully show you that material possessions are not the solution for a happy life. Instead, these quotes will show you have unrelated materialism and happiness really are.

66 Handpicked Quotes About Materialism And Happiness

1. Whoever prefers the material comforts of life over intellectual wealth is like the owner of a palace who moves into the servants quarters and leaves the sumptuous rooms empty. – Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach, Aphorisms

2. Nothing wonderful lasted forever. Joy was as fleeting as a shooting star that crossed the evening sky, ready to blink out at any moment. – Nicholas Sparks

3. But maybe happiness isn’t in the choosing. Maybe it’s in the fiction, in the pretending that wherever we have ended up is where we intended to be all along. – Lauren Oliver, Requiem

4. Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama Xiv

“So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed.”

– Hunter S. Thompson

5. So we shall let the reader answer this question for himself who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed. – Hunter S. Thompson

6. Expectations make people miserable, so whatever yours are, lower them. You’ll definitely be happier. – Simone Elkeles, How To Ruin Your Boyfriend’S Reputation

7. Only the development of compassion and understanding for others can bring us the tranquility and happiness we all seek. – Dalai Lama Xiv

8. The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate. – Oprah Winfrey

“The true measure of success is how many times you can bounce back from failure.”

– Stephen Richards

9. The true measure of success is how many times you can bounce back from failure. – Stephen Richards

10. The Master said, If your conduct is determined solely by considerations of profit you will arouse great resentment. – Confucius

11. If moneys the god people worship, Id rather go worship the devil instead. – Jess C Scott, Rockstar

12. Hold material goods and wealth on a flat palm and not in a clenched fist. – Alistair Begg, Made For His Pleasure: Ten Benchmarks Of A Vital Faith

“The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance. The wise grows it under his feet.”

– James Oppenheim

13. The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance. The wise grows it under his feet. – James Oppenheim

14. Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

15. Happiness depends upon ourselves. – Aristotle

16. My happiness grows in direct proportion to my acceptance, and in inverse proportion to my expectations. – Michael J. Fox

“Some people, when theres a threat of everything they have being ripped away at a moments notice, they place value on the things they can keep with them, or find anywhere, so they can say these are my things, nobody else can touch them. .”

– Benjamin R. Smith, Atlas

17. Some people, when theres a threat of everything they have being ripped away at a moments notice, they place value on the things they can keep with them, or find anywhere, so they can say these are my things, nobody else can touch them. . – Benjamin R. Smith, Atlas

18. If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace. – John Lennon

19. What is the use of a house if you haven’t got a tolerable planet to put it on. – Henry David Thoreau, Familiar Letters

20. A quiet secluded life in the country, with the possibility of being useful to people to whom it is easy to do good, and who are not accustomed to have it done to them then work which one hopes may be of some use then rest, nature, books, music, love for one’s neighbor — such is my idea of happiness. – Leo Tolstoy, Family Happiness

“It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters,.”

– Amit Ray, Meditation: Insights And Inspirations

21. It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters,. – Amit Ray, Meditation: Insights And Inspirations

22. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts. – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

23. Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give. – Ben Carson

24. Happiness only real when shared. – Christopher Mccandless

“Very little is needed to make a happy life it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.”

– Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

25. Very little is needed to make a happy life it is all within yourself in your way of thinking. – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

26. Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control. – Epictetus

27. Those who do not know how to see the precious things in life will never be happy. – Alex Flinn, Beastly

28. It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about. – Dale Carnegie

“A flower blossoms for its own joy.”

– Oscar Wilde

29. A flower blossoms for its own joy. – Oscar Wilde

30. The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely. – Louisa May Alcott

31. Just because you are happy it does not mean that the day is perfect but that you have looked beyond its imperfections. – Bob Marley

32. The problem with people is they forget that most of the time it’s the small things that count. – Jennifer Niven, All The Bright Places

“Communism in a capitalist world requires eliminating the hope of the citizens for owning what others own.”

– Osman Doluca

33. Communism in a capitalist world requires eliminating the hope of the citizens for owning what others own. – Osman Doluca

34. Every increased possession loads us with new weariness. – John Ruskin

35. Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants. – Epictetus

36. Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it. – Andy Rooney

“Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears.”

– John Lennon

37. Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears. – John Lennon

38. They have succeeded in accumulating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown less. – Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov

39. Money is a great servant but a bad master. – Francis Bacon

40. Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have. – Doris Mortman

“You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now.”

– Wayne Dyer

41. You have everything you need for complete peace and total happiness right now. – Wayne Dyer

42. I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it. – Groucho Marx, The Essential Groucho: Writings For By And About Groucho Marx

43. Some day you will find out that there is far more happiness in another’s happiness than in your own. – Honoré De Balzac, Père Goriot

44. Our economy is based on spending billions to persuade people that happiness is buying things, and then insisting that the only way to have a viable economy is to make things for people to buy so theyll have jobs and get enough money to buy things. – Philip Slater

“Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need.”

– Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

45. Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don’t need. – Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

46. Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get. – W. P. Kinsella

47. Happiness is a myth. It was invented to make us buy new things. – Gregory David Roberts, Shantaram

48. We’re all to driven by materialism. Obsessed with success. With money. With trying to impress people who’ll never be impressed. – Sophie Kinsella, Shopaholic Ties The Knot

“Everybody in the world is seeking happiness—and there is one sure way to find it. That is by controlling your thoughts. Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions.”

– Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends And Influence People

49. Everybody in the world is seeking happiness—and there is one sure way to find it. That is by controlling your thoughts. Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions. – Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends And Influence People

50. How good something is should never be determined by its cost, designer, origin, or its perceived value by others. – Ashly Lorenzana

51. How pointless life could be, what a foolish business of inventing things to love, just so you could dread losing them. – Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer

52. The things you own end up owning you. It’s only after you lose everything that you’re free to do anything. – Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club

“We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.”

– Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness

53. We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like. – Dave Ramsey, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness

54. The only time you look in your neighbor’s bowl is to make sure that they have enough. You don’t look in your neighbor’s bowl to see if you have as much as them. – Louis C.K.

55. There are two ways to get enough. One is to continue to accumulate more and more. The other is to desire less. – G.K. Chesterton

56. Normal is getting dressed in clothes that you buy for work and driving through traffic in a car that you are still paying for—in order to get to the job you need to pay for the clothes and the car, and the house you leave vacant all day so you can afford to live in it. – Ellen Goodman

“Ambition is greed rebranded.”

– Mokokoma Mokhonoana

57. Ambition is greed rebranded. – Mokokoma Mokhonoana

58. A lot of people get so hung up on what they can’t have that they don’t think for a second about whether they really want it. – Lionel Shriver, Checker And The Derailleurs

59. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world. – J.R.R. Tolkien

60. Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more. – Mother Teresa

“It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.”

– Germany Kent

61. It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack. – Germany Kent

62. Happiness is not a possession to be prized, it is a quality of thought, a state of mind. – Daphne Du Maurier, Rebecca

63. The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be. – Marcel Pagnol

64. The secret of happiness is not in doing what one likes, but in liking what one does. – James Matthew Barrie

“True beauty is measured by the number of pearls within you, not those around your neck.”

– Suzy Kassem, Rise Up And Salute The Sun: The Writings Of Suzy Kassem

65. True beauty is measured by the number of pearls within you, not those around your neck. – Suzy Kassem, Rise Up And Salute The Sun: The Writings Of Suzy Kassem

66. It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents us from living freely and nobly. – Bertrand Russell

Hugo Huijer Author

Founder of Tracking Happiness, with over 100 interviews and a focus on practical advice, our content extends beyond happiness tracking. Hailing from the Netherlands, I’m a skateboarding enthusiast, marathon runner, and a dedicated data junkie, tracking my happiness for over a decade.

The post 66 Quotes About Materialism And Happiness appeared first on Tracking Happiness.