So, what comes first: the creativity, or the happiness? Trick question! The relationship is reciprocal; those who report a higher state of happiness are more likely to engage in creative endeavors, and those who create report higher levels of happiness after they innovate3. We wouldn’t be hard-pressed to find reasons why this is so. One of the most influential factors in one’s level of happiness is a sense of meaning. Perhaps those who create are quick to find personal meaning and fulfillment in what they produce, whether the product adds to collective knowledge, sparks a positive change, or brings joy or convenience to others. On the flip side, the minds of happy people are freer to imagine new possibilities or dream up novel solutions to our everyday problems because they aren’t bogged down by overwhelming stress or laser-focused on a point of negativity.