5 Simple Ways to Be a Happier Person in 2026

The Stuff Nobody Wants to Hear but Everyone Needs to Remember

6 min read

Just now

It’s mid January 2026. Your New Year’s resolutions? Probably already gathering dust. Mine too.

We have roofs. Food. Wi-Fi. And yet, the rates of depression and anxiety are increasing every single year.

One in five Americans has some sort of mental illness, the CDC says. The World Health Organization states that depression is the major cause of disability worldwide. Over 280–320 million people.

So what gives? Why are we so miserable when, objectively speaking, life is easier than ever?

I believe we’re asking the wrong questions.

Happiness is something to build. Daily. In small, unremarkable ways.

Here are 5 things that really work.

1. Lower the Bar for “A Good Day.”

We set the bar so high on what makes a good day that most days don’t make the cut.

A good day means that we crushed our goals. Got a promotion. Had an amazing conversation. Felt inspired. Made progress. Won something.

Anything less? Just another mediocre day.