On Point | Podcast
How to move from languishing to flourishing
Mar 28, 2025
Corey Keyes, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Emory University and author of "Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down," dives into the complex experience of languishing. He shares personal narratives of trauma and societal observations of this phenomenon, especially during the pandemic. Keyes discusses how languishing differs from depression and emphasizes the importance of community. The conversation highlights proactive steps for moving from emptiness to flourishing, including nurturing relationships and embracing vulnerability.
41:41
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Quick takeaways
- Languishing reflects a lack of fulfillment distinct from depression, often stemming from unresolved trauma and emotional disconnection.
- Integrating activities like helping others and forming social connections can transform feelings of languishing into a flourishing life experience.
Deep dives
The Ambiguity of Languishing
Languishing is characterized as a state of emotional emptiness, often described as feeling half alive or experiencing a void in one’s soul. This experience can manifest as a lack of interest in life activities without the pervasive sadness that defines clinical depression. The podcast highlights the notion that many people who feel they are languishing do not recognize it as a mental health issue and instead may think they're simply unengaged or bored with life. This sensation is distinct from depression, as it lacks the depressive symptoms while still indicating a deeper need for fulfillment and purpose.
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