Happiness might seem like an easy concept at first glance—until you really start to examine it. Ask yourself honestly, “Am I happy?” You might be surprised by the complexity of the answer. Life pulls us in different directions, and often without realizing it, we find ourselves emotionally off-center.

For many, the pursuit of happiness is ongoing and deeply personal. According to findings from the 2016 Harris Poll Survey of American Happiness, only about one-third of Americans reported being genuinely happy. Meanwhile, a General Social Survey pointed out “happiness inequality,” meaning levels of joy in the U.S. vary greatly depending on gender, income, and ethnicity.