The more I think about it, it seems that long-term happiness is something many people spend their lives seeking OR they believe it’s something they used to have and lost.
That makes me wonder if we are truly ever happy? Or if it’s something that is always just out of reach (in the future or in the past).
Well. Western culture tends to be goal focused. For starters, that could be something to ditch and focus making the journey more pleasant.
I would say having a goal to look and work towards can give meaning and thereby “content”, not sure wether it can guarantee happiness, but waiting to be happy, or allowing oneself to be happy only once you reach the goal is a problem indeed.
That can be a double edged sword.