Disclaimer: I won the happiness lottery from day one—I have a loving family, a natural inclination to laugh, and have been to Disney World multiple times. But I also cultivate my cheerfulness. So let’s break down what goes into being merry and well.

Why I am so happy:

1. I am in perpetual awe of the absurd miracle of existence

2. I am an all-time great sleeper

3. I consistently do hard workouts

4. I touch grass without any screens

5. I recognize negative emotions as inevitable and normal

6. I don’t delude myself into thinking I don’t need other people

7. I am obsessed with reading and learning

8. I do things that scare me

9. I do creative stuff

10. I know it could always be worse

11. I avoid the ride-off-into-the-sunset fallacy

12. I don’t know what you mean by “I”