I was feeling lazy and restless last weekend. A friend had recommended couple of TV series. I spent the weekend binge watching.
On Sunday evening, instead of feeling relaxed, I felt worse, totally washed out!
Let’s rewind a bit, ask yourself: When was the last time I felt genuinely happy?
Aristotle identified happiness as the ultimate goal of human life. Everything we chase — health, wealth, good looks, relationships, comfort — isn’t for its own sake. We pursue them because we think it will bring us happiness.
If that’s true, why do we still feel restless, even when surrounded by ‘good things’?
It happens because we think HAPPINESS = PLEASURE. 💡
Nice dinner. Glass of aged wine. Movie night. Insta-worthy vacation. Designer clothes and accessories… 😒 😒
Feels good, right? Sure it does. That’s pleasure—and there’s nothing wrong with it.
But here’s the truth: PLEASURE is passive. Once it’s over, we are back to square one.
What matters is ENJOYMENT.
Unlike pleasure, we are actively involved in enjoyment:
✅ Engrossed in a game of tennis or chess?
✅ Lost track of time while reading, writing, painting, or playing music?
✅ A conversation that makes your brain light up?
✅ Pushed through the last mile of a 15K run?
✅ Nailed a tough skill you thought was out of reach?
That’s enjoyment. It’s when you do something challenging—but not impossible.
✅ You focus hard.
✅ You stretch your limits.
✅ And when it’s over, you feel not just good—but changed.
It might not even feel great in the moment, but afterward, you feel a rush of pride. Of progress.
This is what psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi called FLOW — the sweet spot where challenge meets skill, and you are so absorbed you forget to check your phone.
Perspectives 