Am I Happy?

I've had this blog for a long time. Its original title was 'Ilona Around The World', a title that I still like but that isn't quite fitting anymore since I've since started a travel blog elsewhere (here, in case you're wondering). But while I'm preparing for my travels, I am struggling with a different subject.

A while ago, I read a book that started with the question 'Am I happy?'. The author then talks about her many experiments that she conducted to feel happiness. Ever since, I've asked myself the question over and over again. I don't think I'm unhappy. I'm certainly not unlucky. I live in a wealthy country, I am healthy and if not, I have access to free healthcare. I always have enough food, when I open my tap, I can run the water so hot I get burned and I live in a beautiful, large flat with huge windows giving me a view of the river.

View from my window when I woke up this morning

I know I am very lucky to have all those things.

There is no reason to be unhappy. And yet, while I'm not unhappy, I don't feel happy either.
I am not sure what's missing in my life. I have a job that I like well enough, even if the working hours are awful. I have friends and family who I love and who love me back. I always find something to keep me occupied.

Maybe it's a lack of real hobbies besides travelling? I feel like I'm only at home so I can wait for the next trip to happen. Or maybe it's the crazy working hours that kill my happiness? Maybe I just need to learn to be happy with less?

I want to use this blog to explore all those possibilities, to find out what happiness is really about and to hopefully find some inner peace.

But before I start, here's my question to you. Are you happy?