The Pursuit of Happiness
Maureen Dowd of the New York Times and Arianna Huffington of the Huffington Post both wrote recently that women are becoming more and more unhappy the older they get. They site numerous studies all over the world. And it seems that over the past 40 years, women have become increasingly unhappy. We start out pretty upbeat as girls, then it all goes downhill. It seems as if we middle-aged broads are doomed to gloom.
Neither Maureen or Arianna offers a definitive explanation for why this occurs. It could have something to do with having kids — that old saying, “A mother is only as happy as her unhappiest child” could have something to do with it. Or maybe it’s because we have more on our plates — trying to do all the stuff our mothers did, plus all the stuff our fathers did could be taking its toll.
Or it could be that women are becoming more and more likely to pause for a moment while taking a survey to ask themselves, “What is happiness, anyway?”
For me, it happens in unplanned moments, especially when I’m not pursuing it. In fact, maybe it’s the constant pursuit of happiness that is making us miserable.
Posted: September 23rd, 2009 under Aging.
Comments & Backsass
Comment from Karen Holt
Time September 24, 2009 at 8:24 am
I think Danny is right — happiness is fleeting and we should focus on contentment. From what I’ve read of Maureen Dowd’s work, she certainly is bitter!! Maybe middle age is like a Wednesday — hump day. 
Comment from Bob
Time September 24, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I’m content just to peacefully seek happiness. Heh.
Comment from Dolores
Time September 30, 2009 at 9:33 am
You got it, it’s that pursuing that has us down, we are tired of constantly searching for it. We need to just stop searching and realize it is already there. The smile of a new grandbaby, the shrieks of the grandkids playing tag with you, your husband reaching for your hand as you walk the dog and seeing those first fall leaves turning brilliant yellow.
Comment from Danny McLemore
Time September 23, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Heavy! I did see a study recently that said people with kids are not as happy as other people. We all sense that they’re worth it somehow, though, don’t we?
I’ve heard other folks that say we focus too much on happiness, that happiness is always fleeting, and that inner peace should be our goal, whether happy or sad.
True or not, it’s kind of a comforting thought. I’ll take whatever I can get.