Planting Where You Want to Bloom
– By Howard Sierer –
I moved to Utah over 20 years ago after living on both coasts and places in between. I was never unhappy with my five previous states: I believe in “blooming where you’re planted.” When my wife and I (married in state #2) had a chance to retire early, we finally could choose where we wanted to bloom. We knew what we wanted: lots of sunshine in a modest-sized city in an attractive setting with adequate services and shopping.
We looked at Flagstaff, Santa Fe, and several cities in Colorado but chose Southern Utah. We’ve never regretted it: there’s nowhere else we’d rather live. We’re happy here, and it turns out so are lots of Utahns all over the state. How do we know? Utah is on top of WalletHub’s 2023 ranking of the happiest states in America.
To create a broad-brush measure of happiness, WalletHub assembled a panel of distinguished university psychology and sociology professors who identified 30 measurable factors that show overall satisfaction with life. WalletHub then applied these factors on a state-by-state basis. They grouped them into three broad categories: emotional and physical well-being, supportive work environments, and engaged communities.
WalletHub says, “Utah, known for its vibrant work environment and sense of community, stole the show. Utah’s citizens find ways to balance work with a supportive community that boasts the highest volunteer rate in the country.”
Utah has been ranked first in the nation time and again in the last handful of years for its economy, its job market, its pandemic response, and its population growth rate. It’s comforting to know that our economic accomplishments have come without sacrificing our work-life balance.
As home to five national parks, eight national monuments, a national recreation area, a national historical park, and the self-proclaimed “greatest snow on earth,” Utah’s natural environment is world-class. Those who love the outdoors find a lot of reasons to be happy here.
Happiness is, in large measure, determined from within. Some individuals can be happy in difficult situations, while others are unhappy in what appears to most of us to be ideal circumstances. Reflecting this, Utah’s overall emotional well-being is a mixed bag, only 16th in the country in contrast to its first in the nation in both the work environment and community category groupings.
On the plus side of emotional well-being, WalletHub’s data shows that Utah has the lowest divorce rate in the country and is fourth in safety. Yet there are disappointments sure to be pointed out by naysayers: Utah has the 14th highest suicide rate in the country and high rates of depression.
In summing up WalletHub’s findings, Asim Khan wrote, “The air in Utah is a little brighter, the smiles a little wider, and the community spirit a little stronger. It’s no wonder, as the Beehive State has earned the title of the happiest state in America, according to WalletHub’s recent annual rankings. This serene western state, renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and thriving economy, scored an impressive 69.79 out of 100, outshining all others in the pursuit of happiness.”
As one among Utah’s many happy citizens, the first two lines of our state song say it all: “Utah! People working together. Utah! What a great place to be.”
