Happiness Shmappiness

I am tired of the word happiness. Also, mindfulness. I’m even tired of gratitude (the practice is pretty great, but the specialty gratitude journals roll my eyes).  Perhaps it’s post-pandemic skepticism. But even before a General Anxiety Disorder with features of Apocalyptic Pessimism took over society, these words were over-used and under-understood. 

For example, what is happiness? Some great researchers suggest fulfillment as a more accurate word. But is it a feeling? A practice? Do we ever get there? Does it even matter, when there’s so much going on in the world that feels outside our control?

I think the answer has no choice but to be yes. Each person’s fulfillment is personal. Some of us really do need more gratitude, positivity, mindfulness, resilience, perspective, or all of the above. Some of us need to regulate our bodies. Some of us need to get to work or keep up the good work on our minds, hearts, relationships, and communities. 

This is all to say, I might have rolled my eyes when my friend recommended the 10% Happier Podcast with Dan Harris. But I did NOT roll my skeptical eyes because this friend is a true warrior. She is as smart and knowledgeable as they come, and she’s been through some stuff.

She reminded me that, because Dan Harris is Dan Harris, he is a great interviewer who also knows everyone, so he gets the best of the best on his show. 

I listen to a lot of podcasts that purposefully have nothing to do with psychology, just to balance things out a bit. But I am keeping this on rotation, for me and my clients alike. Some of my favorite titles include The Good News about Your Inevitable Decline and How to Argue Better. Check it out for yourself, and become just a little happier.

https://www.tenpercent.com/podcast

Ps. Speaking of mindfulness, Dan is a huge proponent of meditation, so you will hear a lot about that too. Don’t freak out about it, and maybe even give it a chance; he’s not wrong.