Why pursuing happiness makes you ... less happy | Emily Esfahani Smith
TED Talks Daily

Why pursuing happiness makes you ... less happy | Emily Esfahani Smith

2026-02-21

Drawing on clinical research and psychological studies, writer and psychologist Emily Esfahani Smith shows why pursuing meaning — the experience of connecting to something beyond yourself — creates a deeper sense of well-being than comes from chasing happiness. Learn about the steps you can take to move from feeling stuck to living with intention.

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