What Makes You Happy as a Kid, Always Makes You Happy

I have this theory that what makes you happy as a kid always makes you happy.

I’m obviously much older now, and as I reflect on what brings me happiness, it really boils down to the littlest things — and some of these have been true since I was a little kid.

A few examples of what still brings me joy:

• I love playing Super Smash Bros and always will.
• Basketball and the Lakers — still an avid fan, and I try to watch every game.
• Chess — I was a nerdy kid in chess camps and still enjoy it.
• I still listen to older songs from when I was a kid. I’m pretty out of the loop with the latest and greatest music now.
• I still love tinkering with computers and letting my curiosity get the best of me.

People often treat finding happiness like a tough existential question, when I’ve actually realized we already know the answer. Sometimes it’s best to start from first principles: think about what brought you happiness as a kid, and start there.