On World Happiness Day, team Bazaar India redefines what happiness means to them

Your co-worker left you a cute card on a Monday morning, you took your parents on a much-needed vacation, You bought yourself a bouquet of flowers and spent the evening by the sea, and that made you happy. The truth is, there shouldn’t be a designated day to celebrate happiness or to be happy. But designated days like these—whether it’s the ever-charming Friendship Day or World Happiness Day—can serve as a reminder of the simple yet important things in life.

In 2013, the United Nations General Assembly declared March 20 as the International Happiness Day, as “A way to recognise the importance of happiness in people’s lives around the world.” We concur. The Oxford dictionary defines happiness as 'a state of being happy'; well, we can do better than that. So, we got team Bazaar India to redefine what happiness means to them, their goals for happiness, or anecdotes that remind them of what makes them happy. We hope you, too, can find many reasons to smile today and every day! 

Sarah Khalko, Features Writer
Food brings me utmost joy. On a not-so-great day, a piece of chocolate cake will make me break into a small dance, and everything will be alright again. I could be sick and feeling down in the dumps, and all I’ll need is a piping hot plate of khichdi (a dish made of rice and lentils) to set things straight!

Adit Ganguly, Assistant Editor- Entertainment
I feel happy when the two people who taught me the meaning of the word—my parents—are happy, more so when I can be a (tiny) reason behind their happiness. You never stop being a child for them, and it makes me wonder if they worry and care too much about me. Maybe I’ll know when I’m a parent. What makes me happy is knowing that they’re happy and they find happiness in the smallest, most basic things. For instance, knowing what time I will be home every day makes them happy. 

Duhin Ganju, Social Media Editor 
My idea of happiness is being surrounded by my nearest and dearest ones. I'm very close to my parents and my best friend. Little moments like conversations at dinner, sitting together and having a good laugh make me happy. 

Stuti Agarwal, Features Editor 
I’m not sure how to explain what happiness means to me…For me, happiness is having a really good writing day, where I feel like I’ve created something impactful, or cooking something good. In a larger sense, happiness means a consistent and enduring belief and faith in the universe to me.  

Sanjana Bhalerao, Digital Video Editor
Happiness for me is the little things; it's being independent, enjoying solitude, travelling alone on the Mumbai local, or just watching a new movie after a hectic week at work.  

Akanksha Narang, Senior Features Writer
My happiness often lies in reaching newer levels of personal growth. For instance, if I used to be blunt when I was angry, and can now manage to take a moment before I respond in a fight, I feel like I’ve grown there. I like to evolve—in my career and as a human being—and that brings me joy. When I feel loved by people I love, I feel very happy. I want affection, care, connection, and healthy boundaries. Everyone needs a strong support system and non-toxic relationships in their lives—and every day, I feel happy and lucky to have a few in mine!

Tanvi Parekh, Copy Editor 
Happiness to me is sitting at my favourite cafe with a book or simply taking in the vibe of the place. It is being welcomed by friendly, familiar faces like its home; there’s something special about the lasting bonds you build with unknown people in unknown places. Happiness to me is to have a spot in this ever-changing city that I can call my own. It’s also endlessly staring into space by the ocean. 

Mitali Shah, Features Writer
I don't think happiness is constant. It's not the goal. There are small moments that make me feel genuine joy. A tight hug, watching my parents smile, and spontaneous travel plans with my girlfriends are just a few examples. Being a free spirit makes me happy; I am happy to go with the flow and not be tied down by schedules and deadlines. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen very often.

Pratishtha Dobhal, Assistant Editor
Happiness for me is happenstance—where I am not consciously looking for it but chance upon it in a great movie, a passage from a book, music that makes me move, long tight hug on a particularly bad day by my parents, bae, or dear friend, meeting a stranger with incredible life experiences, writing something that I still love upon reviewing it for the nth time, breathtaking vistas—living life not in the pursuit of it, but in the belief that tiny moments of pure unadulterated joy all add up to this warm fuzzy feeling that we call happiness.

Maahi Shah, Junior Writer 
For me, happiness is many things. It is hugging my mother every morning and hot chocolate surprises delivered to my doorstep. It is also the freedom to do what I want, the unconditional love, coerced feeding by my mom, and unfiltered conversations with my dad. It’s the tiny pat you give yourself to celebrate the little wins and calling your best friend’s house home. Sometimes, happiness is just being. Happiness is many things and many reasons.