From Happiness to Wellbeing: Why Some Ideas Stand the Test of Time
I went to my first Action for Happiness talk over 15 years ago. Returning to an in-person event last Wednesday, after six years away, felt like coming home.
For those who haven't come across it, Action for Happiness is a movement built around a simple but quietly radical idea: that we should prioritise kindness, relationships, community, and personal growth over material wealth. In a world that constantly measures success by productivity and possessions, that's more countercultural than it sounds.
Happiness isn't what we think it is
In that inaugural talk, Oliver Burkeman presented An Alternative Path to Happiness — the idea that real happiness comes from engaging with the world as it actually is, not from chasing constant positivity. It's a theme he later explored in his book The Antidote, and one that has stayed with me ever since.
It also connects directly to the work I do. Mindfulness is often misunderstood as a practice designed to make you feel good. But at its core, it's about being present with whatever is happening right now — not pushing away the difficult stuff, but learning to sit with it. That shift in perspective can be quietly transformative.
The value of being in a room with like-minded people
One of the things I've always loved about Action for Happiness events is the people. There's a warmth and openness you don't often find, a shared sense that how we treat each other matters. Wednesday was no different, and it was a good reminder of what research shows: human connection is one of the most powerful contributors to our well-being.
What's changed — and what hasn't
The movement has grown enormously since those early days, but what strikes me is how consistent its values have remained. The Ten Keys to Happier Living, which I also reference in the Mental Health First Aid courses I deliver, are as relevant now as they ever were. Small, daily actions that build resilience. Altruism. A "together, for everyone" mentality.
It was also great to hear Mark Williamson speak about his new book Make Life Happier. Two things he said have stayed with me.
"Self-care is the foundation of being a good person."
Simple, but worth sitting with. It's something I come back to in every Mental Health First Aid course I deliver. We spend a lot of time learning how to support others — and that matters — but we can't do it sustainably if we don’t look after ourselves first. You can't pour from an empty cup.
F.U.C.K — Friendly, Useful, Calm, Kind
Mark's reframe of this word got a laugh from the room, but the message behind it is genuinely useful. When life feels stressful or overwhelming, it's a simple checklist to come back to. Am I being friendly? Am I being useful? Am I approaching this calmly? Am I being kind to others and to myself?
Worth keeping somewhere handy.
A final thought
If you haven't been to an Action for Happiness event, I'd recommend it. There's something valuable about stepping away from the day-to-day and spending an evening thinking about what actually makes life good.
And if mental health, mindfulness, or wellbeing at work is something you're thinking about — whether for yourself or your team — feel free to get in touch. It's exactly what I focus on at wellbeing-inspire.com.