Introduction: Moving Beyond the Myth of “Natural Happiness” Happiness is often treated as a personality trait—something you either have or don’t. Some people are described as “naturally happy,” while others are assumed to be pessimistic, sensitive, or emotionally fragile. This belief is deeply ingrained in popular culture, yet psychological research consistently shows that happiness is not merely a temperament or a stroke of good fortune. Happiness is a skill . Like emotional

Evidence-based perspectives on what truly makes life fulfilling, beyond pleasure and positive emotions.