Happiness
Actionable insights for a happier life: a curated exploration of what it means to live well. Decoding the mechanics of fulfillment through the lens of neuroscience and behavioral psychology.
Essentials
Gratitude helps break the cycle of always wanting more
Gratitude explains why new gains fade and complaints rise.
videoLove your enemies: a buddhist guide to defeating anger, ego, and self-loathing
In their collaborative work Love Your Enemies: How to Break the Anger Habit & Be a Whole Lot Happier, Robert…
We create a false self in early life to meet external expectations and cope with childhood experiences – James Hollis
James Hollis explores the psychological and spiritual upheaval of midlife as a necessary and meaningful rite of passage. Drawing from…
Having an emergency fund makes people measurably happier
Easily accessible savings, known as precautionary savings, have a profound positive effect on individual well-being. This type of savings provides…
Happiness keeps rising with income for about 80% of people
A 2023 PNAS reanalysis by Killingsworth, Kahneman, and Mellers of 1.7 million phone reports found happiness rising with income for most American workers; only the least happy 15 to 20% stopped gaining above $100,000 a year.
The ideal free time would be 2 to 5 hours/day
As an individual’s free time increases, so does that person’s sense of well-being – but only up to a point.…
Daily Habits
Key signs of personal growth and becoming your best self
Embracing change, setting boundaries, and practicing self-care are key indicators of personal growth. Individuals who seek less external validation, focus…
Spending time on real social connections boosts happiness
Esther Perel suggests that to increase happiness, you should make time for meaningful social connections. Whether through spontaneous gatherings or…
Research shows having children does not necessarily increase happiness
A study published in Journal of Family Issues examines how parenthood affects happiness. It discusses the nuanced relationship between having…
Quality friendships enhance happiness and health more than children and relatives
The research report examines the impact of social networks on the survival of very old Australians over a 10-year period.…
Being open to new things helps creativity and learning, and may keep the brain healthier with age
Openness is a personality trait that means seeking and enjoying new and unfamiliar things. Research in psychology and neuroscience links…
videoAndré Comte-Sponville: philosophy in the service of happiness
Interview with philosopher André Comte-Sponville about happiness and the role of philosophy in pursuing it (en français). What I take…
Deeper Meaning
Mosquitoes use infrared radiation to detect humans from a distance
Recent research has uncovered that mosquitoes, particularly the Aedes aegypti species, can detect infrared radiation (IR) emitted from human skin…
The Marginalian: a blog about finding meaning in life and literature
The Marginalian delves into the intersections of art, science, philosophy, and literature, offering reflections on humanity’s search for beauty, truth,…
Charlie Munger credits happiness to living in the same home for over 70 years
Charlie Munger, the longtime vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, attributes much of his happiness and satisfaction to living in the…
Finding meaning when life seems nonsensical
Life often feels chaotic and devoid of inherent meaning, but embracing uncertainty and accepting that not everything has a clear…
The five stages of long-term relationships and how to navigate them
The article explains the five key phases in romantic relationships, starting from the initial attraction and infatuation to building deeper…
Mosqitter Mini: attracts and kills mosquitoes
The Mosqitter Mini, introduced at CES 2024, is a mosquito control device for home use. It utilizes four elements that…