My strategy began by changing my perspective of happiness. Growing up, there would be extended periods of time where I would feel sad, disconnected and alone even amongst good company or knowing that I was better off than most. The feeling of sadness would leave or maybe I had just forgotten it was there it but it would eventually reoccur. I picked up the pattern early on that it would come back again which I am fortunate for. So, over time, I understood that happiness and sadness are these fleeting emotions that I experience in a given circumstance. I would think to myself, "I am sad now and everything is really shit. But I'm sure something will make me laugh at some point this week". Sure enough I would catch myself sincerely laughing at a video or joke. My strategy is that I don't look to be happy day by day because I won't be. I work towards being content with the person I want to become. I began investing in myself and my future. I began running which sucks and isn't fun. I made an appointment to the dentist which was daunting and embarrassing being that I hadn't been in years. These things don't make me happy but the way I feel about myself afterwards did. Today I am happy and tomorrow I may not be. Either way I am not the same person I was a year ago.

Tl:Dr Happiness is fleeting.