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Can we just be happy without looking for a reason?

Understanding the quest for happiness

Most of us grow up believing there’s a kind of formula for happiness. Work hard, get somewhere, tick enough boxes and then, finally, you get to feel good. But what if this formula isn’t always effective?

Psychologist Ed Diener found that once basic needs such as food, safety and shelter are met, additional achievements or wealth do not equal happiness. This can be difficult to accept in a culture built on the principles of ‘more, faster, better.’ However, study after study shows that the real difference lies in how we treat the little things and whether we know how to appreciate what we already have.

I once met a person who kept a notebook by her bed where she wrote down at least one small moment from the day that she thought was worth remembering. One entry said, “the bus driver smiled at me when I got on.” Another read, “sun hit the kitchen floor just right.” They weren’t milestones, just moments, but that was the point. She said it helped her remember that good things didn’t have to be big to matter.

We don’t need every hour to be joyful. But we can become better at noticing when joy appears, especially when we stop assuming it needs a reason.

How parenting with ADHD influences the pursuit of happiness

Raising children can be challenging even on your best days. However, when combined with possible symptoms of ADHD in a child, normal ups and downs can become overwhelming. Simple tasks, such as brushing teeth or completing homework, can lead to tantrums or tears. And for parents who are trying to keep everything under control, this can be particularly difficult. Some people want their children to be the best, but the main thing is to make sure that both you and your children are happy. This means learning to take things easier sometimes in order to maintain your sense of inner harmony.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology showed that parents of children with ADHD experience significantly more daily stress than other parents. That stress isn’t just about behavior — it’s about unpredictability, emotional exhaustion, and the sense that even small tasks come with extra weight.

Still, some families find ways to adapt. In a piece from theliven.com, experts encourage building flexible routines, not flawless ones. One mother shared that instead of fighting her son every morning to get dressed “on time,” she started waking him up earlier and letting him pick his clothes in silence. It took longer, but mornings became calmer — and that small shift made room for laughter again.

What many parents learn, often through trial and error, is that happiness in this context isn’t about perfect days. It’s about feeling connected, supported, and able to breathe, even in the middle of the hard stuff.

The role of technology in mental wellbeing

Technology gets a bad rap when it comes to mental health — and not without reason. Endlessly scrolling through polished lives on social media can leave us feeling inadequate, distracted, even lonely. But that’s not the whole story.

There’s a growing body of research suggesting that when used intentionally, tech can support emotional wellbeing. Mood tracking apps, meditation reminders, and daily check-ins help users pause and reflect. One friend told me her anxiety eased when she began using a simple app that asked how she felt each night. “Just having a moment where I had to name it that helped,” she said.

Apps like Liven, highlighted in what is liven , focus on these small practices. Instead of offering grand solutions, they invite users to build gentle habits that reconnect them with how they’re doing emotionally.

Researchers at the University of California found that even short digital routines a few minutes of guided breathing or reflection can measurably reduce anxiety symptoms. It’s not magic. But in a chaotic world, it’s something to hold onto.

Technology isn’t the enemy. The real question is how we use it and whether it pulls us further away from ourselves or helps us come back.

Unconditional happiness: a myth or reality?

The idea of being happy without a reason might sound naive. After all, we’re taught that emotions follow events. You accomplish something, and then you feel proud. You see someone you love, and then you feel joy. But what if joy could show up first not as a reward, but as a companion?

Positive psychology offers a few clues. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s work on the state of being deeply immersed in something shows that fulfillment often happens when we’re simply absorbed in what we’re doing, not necessarily succeeding. The PERMA model, another framework, emphasizes meaning, engagement, and relationships over superficial highs.

A close friend once told me she began writing a short sentence in her planner each morning: “One thing I’m looking forward to today.” At first, it was mechanical. But eventually, she noticed her days felt lighter. “It’s like I reminded myself to expect something good,” she said.

This isn’t toxic positivity. It’s choosing to pay attention to the parts of life that are working, even when not everything is. Neuroscience backs it up, too: regular gratitude practices can strengthen neural pathways linked to emotional regulation. We don’t need perfect lives to feel better. We need space to notice what’s already okay.

Conclusion

Can we be happy without a reason? Maybe not always, but sometimes, yes. Especially when we stop tying happiness to specific outcomes and start finding it in how we move through the day.

For parents navigating ADHD, for anyone feeling overwhelmed, joy won’t always announce itself. But it can live in the way you pause before reacting, in the ritual of checking in with yourself, or in how you notice that one moment that made things a little easier.

Happiness, when it’s not dependent on success or certainty, becomes something quieter and more resilient. It doesn’t mean ignoring the hard parts. It means letting the good ones count, too.

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About Bragging Mommy

At The Bragging Mommy we are always serving up new content that can help you and your family. We discuss parenting, health, fashion, travel, home, beauty, DIY, reviews, entertainment and beyond. We hope you find this site helpful. Thanks for visiting!

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