Turns out that people who try new things, go new places, learn new skills, etc. are happier. This can be tough, because novelty and challenge also bring frustration and irritation - but if you can push through that, novelty and challenge can bring enormous happiness rewards.

Keep in mind that to avoid loneliness, many people need both a social circle and an intimate attachment. Having just one of two may still leave you feeling lonely.

Self-awareness is a key to self-mastery

Volunteering to help others is the right thing to do, and it also boosts personal happiness

There is a preppy wabi-sabi to soft, faded khakis and cotton shirts, but it's not nice to be surrounded by things that are worn out or stained or used up.

The more I examine the issue of clutter, the more effort I put into combating it, because it really does act as a weight.

We tend to overestimate what we can do in a short period, and underestimate what we can do over a long period.