What makes a person happy and what makes them feel satisfied? Can someone be satisfied in life even if they don’t feel happy? Or will someone find happiness when their life is not satisfied?
There is a difference between being satisfied and being happy. Most people want to find happiness in their life, but they also want to be satisfied. There is a difference, but you can have both.
Happiness
This is an emotion that is strong and an emotion that helps us to know joy and thankfulness. Being happy means that you are experiencing joy and you are able to have a meaningful life.
Satisfaction
When someone is satisfied, it means that their desires have been achieved. They find joy in the things that they have and want.
This can mean that your needs are met or that your hearts desires are satisfied. No matter what happens, you will not want anything once you find satisfaction in your life.
People are often satisfied for a season and then they become unsatisfied. This can happen in their job, relationships or even in their personal belongings.
The idea of happiness is easier to reach than satisfaction because you don’t have to have material things in order to be happy.
What is the Difference?
The best way to compare being happy and being satisfied is to look at the different traits of each:
- Happiness is when you have joy and satisfaction is when you are content in your life.
- You lose happiness when you do not reach your goals, but satisfaction will decrease when you cannot achieve something in life.
- Happiness is something you can measure but you cannot measure satisfaction.
How to Be Happy and Satisfied in Life
There is a difference between happiness and satisfaction, but you can get both of these things by:
Simplicity
Learn to be simple in your life. Do not have everything that you see and keep things simple. Say no when you are too busy and do not buy things that clutter your home. Do things that are simple like going for a walk or making a phone call.
Thankfulness
Learn to be thankful for everything in your life. Be happy for the food that you have and for your home. Be thankful that you have friends or a partner and be thankful for the people that make your life better.
Live in the Now
Don’t try to live in the past or the present. Live in the moment and enjoy your life now.
Self-Satisfaction
Do not keep wanting more and more. Enjoy what life has given you.
Relationships
Talk to people that you love, and you want to spend time with. Invest your time and compliment others. Hang out with people that are happy and fun.
Love You
Love yourself for who you are and stop comparing yourself to others. Do not try to be someone else.
Making Decisions
Life is going to be hard sometimes and instead of being indecisive about something and missing out, make decisions that help you to move forward.
Don’t Be Negative
Do not be negative and stop being angry about things that you cannot control. Find people that you love to talk to that are positive.
Laugh
Learn to have fun and to laugh. Don’t take life so seriously.
Help other people out because this gives you a purpose. You can volunteer your time and show people respect and love.
Mistakes and Flaws
Everyone makes mistakes and has flaws. Embrace these things and love yourself anyways.
Spending Money
Don’t try to be happy or satisfied over material things because these things break and go away. Learn to spend your money on things that are fun and making memories.
Health
Exercise, eat healthy and take care of your life. Get plenty of sleep and do what you can to be strong.
Be satisfied and happy with your life. You can make the choice to be any of these things. Take a chance and enjoy yourself.
The distinction between happiness and satisfaction is quite well-delineated here. It’s important to note that happiness can be fleeting whereas satisfaction tends to suggest a more enduring state.
The recommendation to avoid materialism resonates strongly. Experiences and relationships often bring more lasting joy and fulfillment than possessions.
The article brings up an interesting point about how some aspects of satisfaction can be more challenging to measure than happiness, which is more straightforward. This complexity is often overlooked.
I agree. Measuring satisfaction involves a lot of subjective judgment and is influenced by various internal and external factors, making it a complex endeavor.
The advice on living in the moment and self-satisfaction is practical. Concentrating on the present can alleviate anxiety and foster a more contented state of mind.
The emphasis on simplicity and thankfulness as paths to both happiness and satisfaction is a wise approach. Reducing clutter, both physical and emotional, can indeed help lead to a more fulfilling life.