1. The Building Blocks of Happiness

The Building Blocks of Happiness

Have you ever felt like happiness is just out of reach? Like it’s hiding behind your next big accomplishment, relationship, or life change? You’re not alone, I used to feel the same way. I spent years chasing happiness, thinking I’d find it once everything fell into place.

But then I had a realization: happiness isn’t something you find, it’s something you create.

Hi, I’m Karen Castillo, a happiness coach, podcaster, and course creator, and I help women redefine happiness on their own terms. In this first post of my Redefining Happiness Blog, I want to introduce you to the core idea that changed everything for me: happiness isn’t just one thing. It’s made up of three powerful building blocks, and understanding them is the first step toward building lasting joy in your life.

1. Feel-Good Happiness (Hedonic Happiness)

This is what most of us think of when we picture being happy, joy, pleasure, excitement. That quick burst of delight when something goes right or you’re doing something fun.

Scientists call this hedonic happiness, and it’s important! It boosts your mood, lowers stress, and increases resilience. But here’s the thing: it’s fleeting. Like a sugar rush, it’s wonderful in the moment but not meant to sustain you long-term.

2. Purpose-Driven Happiness (Eudaimonic Happiness)

This kind of happiness doesn’t always feel good in the moment, but it runs deep. It’s the fulfillment you get from doing meaningful things, like parenting, starting a business, working toward a goal, or standing up for what you believe in.

It’s not always easy or fun, but it is incredibly rewarding.

According to Dr. Martin Seligman, one of the leading researchers in positive psychology, this kind of meaning-centered happiness is key to long-term well-being. It stretches you and leaves you feeling proud, grounded, and purposeful.

3. Life Satisfaction

This is your “big picture” happiness. It’s not about any one moment, it’s about how you feel about your life as a whole. How satisfied are you when you step back and take it all in?

Here’s a little moment of reflection for you:
How satisfied are you with your life right now, just as it is?
Not when you’ve reached your next goal or become a future version of yourself… but right now, as you are.

Often, the answer to that question changes when we shift our perspective. By noticing what’s already good in our lives, practicing gratitude, and appreciating small wins, we can increase life satisfaction without changing a single external thing.

Why All Three Matter

Here’s what neuroscience tells us: different types of happiness light up different parts of the brain. Quick hits of pleasure stimulate your brain’s reward center, while meaningful pursuits activate areas connected to growth and fulfillment. And when you learn to balance all three, joy, purpose, and satisfaction, you build a richer, more resilient kind of happiness.

Think of it like a balanced diet. You need a mix of nutrients to thrive, and the same goes for your well-being.

So… how’s your happiness “diet” looking lately?

This Week’s Practice: The Happiness Mapping Challenge

Let’s put this into action. I created a simple exercise to help you notice and balance the different types of happiness in your life.

Here’s how it works:

Each evening, take just five minutes to note:

1. Your overall happiness for the day (on a scale from 1 to 5).

2. Three happy moments, big or small. A smile, a laugh, a moment of peace, a meaningful conversation.

3. For each moment, ask yourself:

   • Was it hedonic (feel-good)?

   • Was it eudaimonic (meaningful)?

   • Did it increase your life satisfaction?

If you’d like a structured way to track your progress, I’ve created a free printable worksheet you can download in the FREE Resources Hub.

Grab the Happiness Mapping Challenge Worksheet here

Try it for just a few days and see what you learn. You might be surprised at what kinds of happiness are showing up, and which ones need more attention.

Happiness isn’t a destination, it’s something you build, every day, from the inside out. And now that you know what it’s made of, you’re already one step closer to creating more of it in your life.

If this post got you thinking about happiness in a new way, I’d love for you to share it with a friend. And if you haven’t already, check out the Redefining Happiness podcast to dive deeper into this journey with me.

Thanks for being here. I’m cheering you on.

-Karen

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