Happiness and Writing

We’re all interested in the secret of happiness. I’ve read quite a few articles on the subject over the years. Most agree that wealth is no guarantee of satisfaction and contentment. (Although severe financial struggle certainly doesn’t increase your chances of being happy.)

Career success is not necessarily a predictor of happiness either, particularly in the creative professions. There have been many successful musicians, writers and artists whose profound unhappiness caused them to take their lives, while others committed slow suicide with alcohol and drugs.

From what I’ve read, two things stand out as predictors of that elusive, coveted state of happiness: fulfilling relationships and a sense of purpose. People are happier, and significantly healthier, the more meaningful relationships they have in their lives. This can be family or friends. I would argue that pets count as well. Although I haven’t read a lot of studies on how it affects happiness, sharing your life with a furry friend or several (or even a non-furry creature) is definitely good for your health.

The key thing is that these relationships must be meaningful. Casual chats with people you aren’t really close to don’t count, although they are still positive. Nor do family relationships if they are fraught or lacking in real intimacy.

A sense of purpose is also a good predictor of overall contentment and well-being. It helps to have a connection to something larger than yourself, and to work towards a goal that makes a difference in the world or improves the lives of those around you. When we focus on a purpose beyond out own struggles, it helps us stop thinking about the things we might lack in our own lives. It gets us out of our heads and distracts us from negative thoughts.

So, how does this all tie into writing? Since I’ve made some of my closest friends through writing, I would argue that writing, while usually a solitary pursuit, is a wonderful way to build meaningful relationships. It seems like I never run out of things to talk about with other writers. My natural introversion is much less of an issue when I’m around people who instantly understand when I discuss characters, story arcs and research.

Writing also gives me a sense of purpose. It is something I do that takes me away from the stresses affecting the rest of my life. And even if my writing may not directly benefit other people or make the world a better place in an obvious way, I feel I’m doing something positive in writing my stories. I am entertaining my readers and providing them with an escape from their own lives.

Writing has contributed a great deal to my personal happiness. But it has also caused me a lot of frustration. I think most writers, no matter how successful, struggle to find contentment. It is difficult not to compare your prose, your productivity, your sales and income, the awards and recognition you receive, and a dozen other factors, to those of other writers. Perhaps this is a big part of the reason writers, and creative people in general, are prone to depression.

But that’s another blog post. This one focuses on what makes us happy about writing, not on what drags us down. For some of us at least, writing provides an opportunity to build meaningful relationships. Groups like RMFW facilitate this. It also can give our lives meaning and purpose. No matter what we write, we are giving of ourselves. That’s something we can feel good about.