Not Another Happiness Project

The Filipino Way of Being Alive

In this essay, I step away from Western definitions of fulfillment and explore something softer, quieter, and more resilient: the Filipino way of being alive. It’s not another life hack. It’s a worldview built on faith, family, and radical presence.

Enjoying the Sun

I’ve read countless articles, devoured every book with the word “happy” in the title, and studied happiness research until exhaustion. From psychologists to sociologists, the consensus often points to community, faith, family, and support as key factors in achieving joy. Yet, after all this study, I found myself wondering: What if happiness doesn’t need a reason at all? What if the point of being alive is simply to experience the planet without overthinking or constant striving?

Look at the Filipinos.

Their happiness feels different. It’s not tied to wealth, long-term goals, or the classic markers of success like the “white picket fence.” Instead, it arises from faith deeply woven into everyday life, from family ties that hold fast across distances and hardships, and from a culture that values togetherness and shared moments. Whether it’s gathering over meals, enduring hours stuck in traffic without complaint, or working just enough to avoid burnout, their joy seems unburdened by the endless push for more.

This isn’t happiness that demands justification or careful analysis. It’s happiness lived in simple, raw, and persistent ways. Filipinos embrace the present, often without worrying about tomorrow or even the day after.

More Living, Less Worrying

Interestingly, they do face challenges. Unlike societies that often link despair with suicide or clinical depression, Filipinos rarely die from those. Instead, many succumb to the effects of excessive drinking, partying, or diseases they might not stress over. This doesn’t mean they ignore hardship; it’s a reflection of a cultural attitude that favors resilience and acceptance over anxiety and existential dread.

Trusting What Comes

A central part of this resilience comes from embracing a deep trust in life’s unfolding—an acceptance that not everything is within our control. It’s not about surrendering to passivity but about meeting uncertainty with calm confidence, knowing that things will find their way. This way of thinking helps shield many from crippling anxiety and the exhausting need to micromanage every outcome.

Happiness Without a Project

Maybe the real secret is that happiness doesn’t need a reason at all. Maybe life’s gift is simply the rare chance to be alive and experience this planet in all its imperfect beauty. Instead of chasing goals or reasons to feel happy, perhaps we can learn to accept that being alive right now is reason enough.

So, rather than adding yet another project to our endless list of self-improvement goals, what if we embraced a simpler truth?

To live fully, to connect deeply, to surrender to the flow of life — that might be the truest path to happiness. No explanation needed.