How a Happiness Chart Can Show Your Progress

You can use a happiness chart to show yourself progress in your mental health journey. I used to believe that intangible items like emotions could not be empirically measured. However, after using a depression tracking application (or "app") for several months, I learned that nearly anything can be measured and graphed. 

Why Use a Happiness Chart?

A happiness chart or graph can help provide perspective. When in the thick of a negative state of mind, it’s easy to believe that your entire life is objectively terrible. Not only that, life seems like it has always been terrible. Taking a look at the empirical evidence of more pleasant times can help interrupt that negative thought pattern. 

I started tracking my happiness level daily on a scale of zero to 10. As time progressed, an overall pattern began to emerge: while the numbers certainly fluctuated over time, they generally trended toward the higher end of the scale. Thus, I could draw the conclusion that I’m overall fairly happy. When I felt depression starting to kick in, I looked at the chart. There was no arguing with the data that I’d faithfully put in each day. I couldn’t rationally make the case that I’d been fudging the numbers for weeks or months in some elaborate plot to make myself seem happier than I was. 

If it’s helpful, you can expand the idea of the happiness chart to other emotions or situations. Consider, for instance, tracking your level of satisfaction with your job, positive interaction with your family, emotional sensitivity, or confidence. Taking multiple measurements each day can give you a better overall picture of your happiness. 

Use the data from these happiness charts to determine patterns, too. Perhaps you go through some cycles of depression based on weather, or maybe weekends when you visit family prove more stressful than other weekends. This information can help you decide which situations you might want to prepare more fully for or perhaps even avoid. 

Happiness chart data, in conjunction with other considerations, can also help you make decisions. If you notice that you’re consistently miserable at work for months at a time with no relief, perhaps looking at a more fitting position within your company or a new job entirely could be a good idea. If all your numbers seem consistently low, maybe some medical intervention could improve your life. 

Graphing Happiness Charts

To take the subjectivity out of your emotional state, give happiness charts a try by simply graphing your feelings on a scale of zero to 10 every day for a few months. Watch the video below for more about graphing happiness charts.