Further Secrets of Adulthood:

One nice thing about not being a scientist? I can say things that a scientist couldn’t get away with.

For instance: happiness doesn’t always make you feel happy. For instance, sometimes, the things you do to feel right make you feel bad — but they still make you feel happy, because you’re living up to your values.

Can you think of times when something made you unhappy — but also happy? This often comes up with novelty and challenge. Doing something new and challenging often brings feelings of anxiety, anger, and frustration. But there’s also a kind of happiness that comes from knowing that you’ve met the challenge.