Let me start by saying I’m not usually one to hop on the bandwagon of trendy challenges, especially those that promise life-changing results in a matter of weeks. But when I came across Yale’s Happiness Challenge, I found myself intrigued. After all, who wouldn’t want a little more happiness, especially when it’s backed by an Ivy League institution? So, with a mix of skepticism and hope, I embarked on a 28-day journey to see if I could really improve my mental health by adopting Yale’s 8 happiness habits. Spoiler alert: it was a rollercoaster.
Week 1: Gratitude — The Good, the Bad, and the Eye Rolls
The real kicker came when I had a particularly rough day. I sat there, staring at my notebook, struggling to find even one thing to write down. “Grateful for surviving the day without a total meltdown,” I scribbled, half-jokingly. But here’s the thing: as forced as it felt at times, practicing gratitude did start to shift my perspective. I became more aware of the little things that I might have otherwise overlooked. Even if some days felt like I was scraping the bottom of the gratitude barrel, it wasn’t a bad habit to cultivate.
Week 2: Acts of Kindness — The Unexpected Perks of Being Nice
Next up was doing random acts of kindness. I’m not going to lie; this one made me feel like a contestant on a game show. “How many good deeds can you cram into one day?”
At first, I started small—holding doors open, letting people merge in traffic, and leaving a few extra coins in the tip jar. But as the week progressed, I found myself enjoying the challenge of making someone else’s day a bit brighter. There was a certain satisfaction in knowing I’d made a difference, even if it was just a tiny one. And yes, it did make me feel happier, albeit in a slightly self-congratulatory way.
Week 3: Savouring — The Art of Actually Enjoying Things
The third habit was all about savouring moments, which, as it turns out, is harder than it sounds. I’m usually someone who rushes through life, ticking off tasks and moving on to the next thing without a second thought. But this week, I was supposed to slow down and really enjoy the little things—like a good meal, a warm bath, or a beautiful sunset.
It felt a bit like being told to “stop and smell the roses,” which, in theory, sounds lovely but in practice, felt more like an obligation. “Here I am, savouring this moment,” I’d think, trying to force myself to feel more content than I actually was. But surprisingly, when I did manage to genuinely savour something, it felt good—like I was finally giving myself permission to enjoy life without rushing through it.
Week 4: Social Connection — The Double-Edged Sword
The final week was all about strengthening social connections. As someone who values my alone time, this was a bit daunting. I was supposed to reach out to friends and family, have meaningful conversations, and spend quality time with loved ones. The challenge felt a bit like forced extroversion.
But as I made an effort to connect more, I started to realize just how much I’d been missing out on. I had some really great conversations with friends I hadn’t spoken to in a while, and I even reconnected with a few people I’d lost touch with. It wasn’t always easy, and there were definitely moments when I longed to retreat into my own space, but overall, it reminded me of the importance of nurturing relationships.
The Verdict: Worth the Hype?
So, did Yale’s Happiness Challenge work? In a word, yes—but maybe not in the way I expected. The challenge didn’t magically transform my life, nor did it turn me into a perpetually happy person. But it did make me more mindful of how I approach my day-to-day life and the small changes I can make to boost my overall well-being.
Practicing gratitude, performing acts of kindness, savouring moments, and strengthening social connections all had their ups and downs. There were days when it felt like I was just going through the motions, and others when I genuinely felt a positive shift in my mood and outlook.
In the end, I’d say the challenge is worth trying if you’re looking for a way to shake up your routine and bring a little more positivity into your life. Just don’t expect miracles—after all, happiness isn’t something you can manufacture overnight, no matter how many Ivy League-backed habits you adopt. But with a little effort and an open mind, you might just find yourself a bit happier at the end of 28 days. And if nothing else, you’ll have a few more tools in your mental health toolkit.