Pieter Hintjens: Ten Steps Towards Happiness

Pieter Hintjens proposes that happiness is not a product of money or magic, but a result of specific actions and a shift in how an individual perceives the world, themselves, and others. His framework focuses on active engagement with life and the intentional removal of negative influences.

Sensory Engagement and Continuous Learning

Prioritizing physical and mental stimulation is fundamental to a sense of well-being. Hintjens suggests investing in the senses by preparing tasty food, capturing beautiful photography, playing exciting music, and wearing comfortable clothing. He encourages experiencing the environment fully, such as walking through a city in the rain.

To maintain a feeling of vitality, Hintjens advocates for doing things one is bad at. This practice of challenging oneself to learn new skills—such as juggling, solving a Rubik's cube, or painting—serves as a constant proof of the ability to learn and grow.

Social Connection and Community

Human connection is a primary driver of happiness. Hintjens emphasizes the importance of interacting with people in daily life through simple acts of kindness, chatting, and smiling. He suggests that if physical distance separates a person from others, they should move closer to people or change their lifestyle to favor walking and cycling over driving to increase opportunities for mingling.

Beyond individual interactions, Hintjens encourages becoming part of "bigger things." This involves finding or starting communities and projects, whether online or in the real world, where even small contributions can make a person feel valued and make a difference to others.

Personal Achievement and Emotional Management

Completing projects provides a sense of achievement that builds hope and confidence. Hintjens recommends keeping a written list of life's accomplishments, including small wins, and updating it annually to track progress.

Managing negative emotions is essential for maintaining happiness. Hintjens advises recognizing emotions like anger, self-pity, jealousy, fear, hate, and loneliness, and intentionally setting them aside. He specifically suggests cutting out alcohol if it is used as a tool for relaxation.

Boundary Setting and Time Management

Removing "bad actors" is a critical step in protecting one's mental health. Hintjens argues that since certain people can be a source of misery, they should be identified and removed from one's life as a formal project to be completed.

Revaluing time is another key pillar of his philosophy. He suggests eliminating time wasted on commuting, boring jobs, meetings, and television. Hintjens argues that individuals should prioritize activities they find worthwhile and spend time with people they like, even if this results in a reduction in income.

Detachment and Acceptance

Hintjens advocates for a minimalist approach to material possessions, suggesting that people sell or give away items that do not bring happiness to avoid letting possessions define them.

The final step is to want nothing and accept everything. By exploring the world without desire or demand and remaining tolerant of whatever happens, an individual avoids disappointment and finds beauty in every moment.

Community Perspectives and Counterpoints

Readers and community members have offered several refinements and counter-arguments to Hintjens' steps:

• On Happiness as a State: Some argue that happiness should be viewed as a measure or a fluctuating state rather than a target to be optimized. One commenter noted that recognizing the "ups and downs" of life is more effective than searching for a constant state of happiness.
• On Acceptance vs. Progress: A tension exists between total acceptance and the drive for progress. One reader questioned whether accepting the world as it is prevents the "unreasonable man" from driving societal progress.
• On Detachment: While Hintjens suggests wanting nothing, some argue that attachment and desire bring "higher highs" and joy that detachment removes.
• On Practical Constraints: Regarding the advice to avoid commuting, one commenter pointed out that public transport can be converted into productive time for reading and learning.
• On Political Spaces: In the context of joining communities, one user suggested that creating spaces that strictly ban political polarization is necessary in the modern social landscape to maintain happiness.