When was the last time you felt genuinely happy—not because of a big achievement, but because of something small? As March brings longer days and a sense of transition, it also includes the International Day of Happiness on March 20th: a day meant to recognize happiness and well-being as universal goals and fundamental human rights. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly on June 28, 2012, the observance encourages a more inclusive, equitable approach to economic growth that promotes happiness. International Day of Happiness can be celebrated in many ways, from community events and social connections to simply taking time to reflect on personal wellness. “Caring and Sharing” is the theme for 2026, highlighting connection, empathy, and supporting one another—closely aligning with Concord Academy’s theme this school year: Building the We.
For students and teachers alike, March often falls in a period of limbo: spring break is arriving, winter fatigue may linger, and anticipation for the final stretch of the school year is burning. Balancing academics, after-school activities, and daily responsibilities can make it easy to overlook moments of joy. In this context, International Day of Happiness serves as a reminder to pause and consider how happiness appears in everyday life, often in ways that are small, personal, and easy to miss. To better understand what this looks like within the CA community, students and teachers were asked a simple question: What has been making you happy recently?
When reflecting on what has been bringing them joy recently, many students pointed to the people around them. Friends, roommates, and shared moments emerged as consistent sources of happiness, emphasizing the role of connection in daily life at CA. Lina Kim ’29 mentioned spending time with her close friends, Bella Jeppsson ’29 and Dana Park ’29, while both Ashley Espinobarros ’29 and Cynthia Wu ’29, who are roommates, shared that living together has brought them joy. Espinobarros also noted the stories her friends tell her as another small but meaningful pleasure.
Beyond relationships, many students described happiness as activities that offer focus, creativity, or a sense of escape. For some, athletics served as fulfillment—Juli Bohorquez ’29 cited ski races with CA’s alpine ski team as something that has brought her joy recently. Others turned to creative outlets, such as Jonathan Aish ’27, who shared that ceramics had been a meaningful source of happiness. Students also sought solace in movement and routine, with Andrew Gahm ’29 mentioning that going on walks with friends has been something he looks forward to.
For others, happiness did not come only from people or activities, but from simple comforts and small, everyday pleasures. May Zheng ’26 shared that the opening of her favorite frozen yogurt place has been a recent source of joy, while Bohorquez mentioned matcha as something that she has been enjoying. Music and entertainment also played a role, with Wu pointing to the Grammys and several other artists as exciting topics. Many other students also found scrolling Instagram reels delightful. In some cases, joy can come from the simplest places; Shin Kuan ’29 summed it up simply: “I like pandas.”
Teachers also reflected on happiness as something rooted in balance and connection beyond the classroom. For math teacher Max Bean, happiness comes from spending time with those closest to him. When asked what has been making him happy recently, Bean replied, “Hanging out with my daughter—when she’s in a good mood,” he shared, noting that listening to music and drawing together have been especially meaningful moments.
As International Day of Happiness approaches on March 20th, these reflections offer a snapshot of how happiness is experienced across the CA community. While joy takes many forms, many students emphasized the importance of noticing and appreciating small, everyday moments. Aanya Desai ’29 has found happiness in learning to value the little things that often seem insignificant, from drinking hot chocolate to spending time with friends. “Happiness doesn’t have to come from big accomplishments,” she said. In a culture that often celebrates achievement, these reflections suggest that happiness at CA is just as often found in the ordinary moments in between.