I see what you're saying and I definitely think there's truth in it (both Cognitive Therapy and Stoicism are based on the idea that happiness is controlled by o

I see what you're saying and I definitely think there's truth in it (both Cognitive Therapy and Stoicism are based on the idea that happiness is controlled by our thoughts). However, I do think that there is more to it than that. There are things that the average person has gained in the past decades but there are also things that people have lost. I think it is possible that some of the things that have been lost such as home ownership, connection to community, a high rate a marriage, autonomous work (e.g. working as an artisan, independent farmer, or small business owner) are more important to happiness than the luxuries that we gained. I also think that its possible that some of the luxuries that we've gains (e.g. microwavable food, reality TV, cheap clothing) bring less happiness than the luxuries that are now less common (e.g. engagement with the arts). However, this certainly isn't true of all of the luxuries that we've gained (e.g. antibiotics, the ability to video chat with family on the other side of the world). Finally, I think it is possible that society plays a role in how likely people are to have or develop the thought processes that you correctly point out lead to happiness. For example, it seems to me that American society often does a poor job of encouraging people to express themselves and to be themselves (e.g. by emphasizing art, toxic masculinity, etc.) which could lead to less confidence and satisfaction. Note that when I say "be themselves" I am referring to lifestyle and expression not the idea that people need to "follow their dreams" to be successful.