I am a happy person. I’m an optimist who sees the glass as half-full. I’m patient. And I don’t really get mad often. That should make me “happy,” right? That’s not what this pie chart would say. ![Blog post image](/images/blog/Screenshot-2024-10-03-at-8.10.55 PM-1024x633.png) Am I wrong about my happiness? ## New to RadReads? Hi, I’m Khe Hy. Nearly a decade ago [I quit my 7-figure job on Wall Street]() to become a writer. I explore topics like [money](), [happiness](), [ambition](), [relationships](), [productivity]() and [more](). I also host [The Examined Life Podcast]() where I explore life’s thorniest questions with a different guest each week. My newsletter is the best way to experience my work. Sign up here: ## “Intellectually happy” versus Experienced Happiness Every day I do a very specific meditation called _Noting Feeling States._ I kneel on my meditation bench and scan my body for different physical sensations. (And as a “thinker,” I can tell you that this doesn’t feel very natural.) As a physical sensation arises — tingling on the surface my forearms or tightness in my chest — I label the corresponding emotion in my mind. The possibilities include: joy, sadness, anger, surprise, fear, disgust and envy. If the emotion is unrecognizable, I label it as “something.” What’s unique about this meditation is that you don’t lead with your “thinking brain” – which also means the results can surprise you. Intellectually I know that I’m a happy person. I have happy thoughts around my family, career, financial situation and general life circumstances. But experientially it’s a slightly different story. It turns out that the body doesn’t always go where the mind goes. When I note “fear” it usually contains traces of [the scarcity mindset]() and [catastrophizing small worries in my life.]() The sadness feeling arises from disappointment that (via traditional metrics) [I’m falling behind my peers.]() Similarly guilt comes from _not-enoughness_. Listening to my body experiences in combination with my thoughts is uncharted terrain for me. But I will tell you that when I _feel_ that 1.6% of joy – it’s truly a special experience. There are also specific ways to cultivate joy and love including practices like [metta]() (or loving-kindness) and [Sustainable Compassion Training.]() I’m early in this journey, but I promise to report back. ## Are you a high-earner going through a career transition? Find purpose, navigate money scarcity and reimagine ambition with our Group Coaching program. [Apply today]()