Nudge A year-long happiness experiment: Try one new thing a week (did it work?)
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May 26, 2025 Patrick Fagan, a behavioral scientist and psychologist who has collaborated with major companies like Google, shares his year-long experiment of trying something new each week. He explores a wide array of activities, from acupuncture to cuddle workshops, revealing the surprising happiness they brought him. The conversation highlights the science behind experiential joy versus material possessions, the value of shared experiences, and the power of empathy gained from diverse interactions. Patrick's intriguing journey offers fresh insights into personal growth and happiness.
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Year-Long New Experiences
- Patrick Fagan committed to doing one new thing every week for a year, from watching his first sunrise to attending a My Little Pony convention.
- These varied experiences illustrated his adventurous approach to exploring happiness.
Experiences Beat Material Goods
- Studies show experiential purchases make people significantly happier than material ones.
- Experiential happiness gains measured around 6-13%, suggesting quality memories trump owning goods.
TikTok Causes Time Distortion
- TikTok users overestimate time spent on activities, leading to distorted perceptions of duration.
- This upward time distortion makes tedious tasks feel longer after heavy social media use.
