Like most of us, I enjoy daydreaming about how I would spend my imaginary riches.
I’d turn the disused church behind my house into a centre for well-being, art and fun, I’d hire a PA to answer my emails and organise my diary, and I’d pay Kate Bush to re-perform the concert that I couldn’t get tickets for last year.
I’d do all sorts of things. But would I be any happier? Probably not. In fact, many scientific studies have shown that in the long term, my emotional well-being would most likely not change at all.
It’s been shown that within six months of winning the lottery, people are just as miserable – or happy – as they were before the win.
As long as we have enough money to meet basic needs and get the odd treat, we tend to hover at our own baseline level of happiness, regardless of the ups and downs of our life.
This is a phenomenon known as the ‘hedonic treadmill’.
It is this treadmill that keeps a consumer society going because once we’ve got what we think we want, we soon want something else.
It keeps us wanting more – perhaps an iPhone 6 plus, a better car, the latest Louis Vuitton handbag or a brand new pair of Nikes.
Do we really imagine the things we’re buying will make us happier?
Sometimes. Sometimes we simply feel pressure to buy, because the object acts more like a symbol of our success, and we buy it to ‘to keep up with the Joneses’.
We keep buying, getting more and more stuff but without getting any happier.
Our focus on money as an indicator of success can be seen in the popularity of rich lists.
These are found regularly in newspapers, magazines and on the internet.
We read, fascinated, imagining what it must be like to have wealth, and maybe deep down we aspire to get on those lists one day.
Fame and status are also celebrated in our society as indicators of success.
It’s easy to find lists keeping track of the world’s most famous person (Kim Kardashian has the most Instagram followers on the planet, for example) and the most powerful (Vladimir Putin, according to Forbes).
Again, even though we may aspire to fame and power, there is little evidence that getting more of either would make us any happier.
This is why happy lists are important. They are an alternative way of celebrating success.
They recognise people for their kindness, their zest for life and their dedication to helping others.
Admittedly, these may be harder variables to measure, but they are certainly worth shining a light on as qualities to aspire to.
And unlike fame, riches and power, doing good deeds is scientifically proven to raise our own happiness levels as well as benefitting society.
As a local organiser for Action for Happiness, a global movement dedicated to creating a happier and more caring society, it is a privilege to be organising the first ever Brighton and Hove Happy List.
We have partnered with the Happy City Initiative, who ran the first Happy City list in Bristol in 2013, and Independent on Sunday, who ran the first national Happy List in 2008.
Who do you think deserves recognition for making Brighton and Hove a happier place to live?
Anyone can be nominated as long as they are motivated by human happiness rather than their own gain.
Here are some examples:
- A teacher who goes the extra mile to make her classroom an uplifting environment.
- A volunteer who devotes time to protecting the local environment.
- An artist who uplifts and inspires others with his creations.
- A foster carer who has given a home to many children who need one.
- A manager who works hard to make sure everyone on his team is happy and supported.
You can nominate by visiting the Happy City website happycity.org.uk/project/happylist-brighton.
The deadline for nominations is May 31 and the final list will be published in The Argus on June 21.
While there are limited places for the final published list, everyone nominated will receive recognition on the Action for Happiness Brighton website on June 21.
Please also visit this site to find out more information about Action for Happiness and our local events actionforhappiness-inbrighton.org.uk
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