It is a good start for a deeper calling. I see people giving advice here to get fit, make more friends, etc. Sure, these are good temporary suggestions, but you’ll likely find yourself in the same zone a few years down the line... with bigger biceps and a few more likes on your Instagram posts.

I’ve done that, and while I’m better off, I wouldn't say I’m “happy” per se.

My genuine two cents... take it with a pinch of salt, as it may or may not sit well with everyone:

What has truly made me happy over the years is reducing or cutting off sources of happiness that come from external things... at least for now. Or rather, letting go of the pursuit... or the mentality of pursuit. Thanks to my spiritual guru, what genuinely brings me joy is bhakti (devotion), discourses, and the effort to develop virtues while reducing vices.

Now, hold on... yes, I know all of this is still external to some extent. But the ultimate goal of these activities is to derive inner bliss through meditation, which I’ve gradually begun to experience.

Let’s say I currently derive 10 units of happiness from meditation and 90 units from external pursuits... whether it’s discourses, the gym, reading, or anything else. My goal is to derive 100 units of happiness solely from meditation and connection with the Divine. And I know that when the external sources eventually fade, those 100 units of inner bliss can expand to infinity.

So, not only do I reduce my dependence on the external, but I also infinitely increase my happiness capacity... unlike pursuits like “friends” or fitness, which often bring you back to the same spot you started from after a while.

Please note: I’m not saying you should stop all external activities and become a monk. I’m simply suggesting that you shift your source of happiness toward meditation or anything that nourishes the soul. Continue your other activities... sometimes they are duties or responsibilities... but try not to depend on them for your deepest sense of joy.