What's on your 2025 happiness list ?

It's that time of year again. Lists about the best and worst 2025 had to offer pop up all over. In weekend papers and magazines, newsletters and tv shows. Have you checked your Spotify favourite tracks of the year yet? Mine is messy, as we have a family account with 5 people between 20 and 60.

You know how this works, right? The algorithm behind it shows you a list of the music you loved best, based on your behaviour. I wish we would have a happiness algorithm that could remind us of the most precious moments in the past year. Based on the massive amount of photos on our phones or the amount of data we share on smart watches or social media. As a reminder of what makes us happy.

Pretty sure that many of us would see a list of moments that tell a story about the people that surround us. Moments of happiness linked to meaningful connections at work, family moments, simple gatherings over a coffee or red wine.

This is not the age of ME, it's the age of WE.

This is not just a feeling.

It's been proven by academic research.

This year, Harvard University published a 85 year long study amongst 2000 people on what made them happy throughout their life.

Guess what? Good relationships are the single most crucial factor for a long, happy and healthy life. More so than wealth, fame or IQ.

According to the study, the key is not the quantity of relationships, but the quality and warmth of relationships, acting as a buffer against physical pain and stress. Good relationships predict less heart disease, diabetes and arthritis and better memory in old age.

Now go out and plan that fun lunch or evening with that dear friend or family member. Or reach out to that interesting person you met earlier this year and get together. Keep it simple. Just hang out together. If not now, when?

As a new year is about to begin, why not make social fitness your number one intention for 2026?

It is as important as physical fitness. And, it' so much more fun. And the best is yet to come. Also according to Harvard, people tend to get happier as they age. More about this in my blog about the happiness curve here.

Enjoy the year end,

Elke & Jo

Marrakech, November 2025, celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary with al the kids