288 - Why Chasing Happiness Is Making You Miserable (And What to Do Instead)
Fri Feb 06 2026
What if your pursuit of happiness is the very thing making you miserable? It sounds counterintuitive, right?
We live in a world obsessed with happiness. But chasing happiness is a trap.
On today’s episode, I’m breaking down why the pursuit of happiness often backfires and what you can do instead to build a life that feels truly fulfilling.
Some of the things I talk about are:
Why treating happiness like a goal sets you up for disappointment
The science behind the "happiness trap" and how it makes you lonelier
How hedonic adaptation keeps you chasing the next thing
Why embracing all your emotions—even the uncomfortable ones—leads to a richer life
Four things you can do to stop chasing happiness and start living meaningfully
Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me.
Related Episodes
164 — 7 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Your Happiness
138 — 7 Things to Spend Money On if You Want to Be a Happier Person
Connect with the Show
Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do
Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor
Visit my website — AmyMorinLCSW.com
Sponsors
Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns!
AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today!
Function Health — Visit functionhealth.com/stronger or use gift code STRONGER25 for a $25 credit toward your membership.
One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More
What if your pursuit of happiness is the very thing making you miserable? It sounds counterintuitive, right? We live in a world obsessed with happiness. But chasing happiness is a trap. On today’s episode, I’m breaking down why the pursuit of happiness often backfires and what you can do instead to build a life that feels truly fulfilling. Some of the things I talk about are: Why treating happiness like a goal sets you up for disappointment The science behind the "happiness trap" and how it makes you lonelier How hedonic adaptation keeps you chasing the next thing Why embracing all your emotions—even the uncomfortable ones—leads to a richer life Four things you can do to stop chasing happiness and start living meaningfully Subscribe to Mentally Stronger Premium for exclusive content like weekly bonus episodes, mental strength challenges, and office hours with me. Related Episodes 164 — 7 Science-Backed Ways to Boost Your Happiness 138 — 7 Things to Spend Money On if You Want to Be a Happier Person Connect with the Show Buy a copy of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do Connect with Amy on Instagram — @AmyMorinAuthor Visit my website — AmyMorinLCSW.com Sponsors Quince — Go to Quince.com/stronger for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns! AirDoctor — Head to AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code STRONGER to get UP TO $300 off today! Function Health — Visit functionhealth.com/stronger or use gift code STRONGER25 for a $25 credit toward your membership. One Skin — Go to oneskin.co/STRONGER and use code stronger to get up to 30% off your first 3 subscription orders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices