The bigger picture - Part 1

The following is not some inspirational spiritual mumbojumbo. It's an attempt to draw some programmer type patterns to life.
It's meant to be for a guy's life because I am a guy. Many of them won't work the same for women.

Based on my personal observation most simple people living in a peasant village are happier than the majority of men that have a ton of money.
Still, if you are aware of the happiness patterns, money are very useful as they can buy most of that.
It's very concerning that most of the older men I've spoken to were very unhappy with how they lived their life.
Going to outline this in terms of importance:

1. Relationship with women - close connection and freedom to do anything

If you are settling down with one and feel like you are on a leash you will be unhappy.
If you are screwing around with no relationship lasting for more than 1 month and not giving 2 cents about either of them-> surprise! you are also gonna be very unhappy.
I have quite a large sample for saying the above.

The important thing is to have a close connection with one/some of the partner(s). And to also feel free.
If you need to ask for permission to go out with buddies, or schedule a meeting with them like you schedule a dentist appointment 2 weeks in advance -> that is not good!
Ideal case is to have the freedom to go do anything with anyone while also having a close connection with your partner(s) and not needing to lie or explain yourself at any point.
Applying that to just buddies should be easy, if you have a hard time even doing that you clearly have a big problem.
If you get greedy and want to apply it to being free to see other women as well, it is very tricky. Having your cake and eating it too is what they call it and I haven't found a good solution to this yet either.
One partner for 80 years can work. I don't think it will work if you are purely monogamous for that whole time.
Changing your partner with someone new every 1 year can also work.
They have to meet the above important conditions: close connection and freedom to do anything.

Very important here is to also take alone time: go travel somewhere by yourself sometimes. Other times with another group that is not part of your partner's social circle.