Author Stephanie Harrison, in 'New Happy,' challenges societal norms on happiness like Scrooge's story. Emphasizes finding joy through community connections and authentic help, not people-pleasing. Discusses side hustles, manicure rituals, and the 'outcome lie' detouring happiness. Encourages enjoying the journey towards happiness and making a positive impact in society.
Reevaluating happiness involves discovering personal joy through community and altruism, diverging from societal expectations.
Shifting focus from external achievements to intrinsic pursuits cultivates sustainable happiness from everyday experiences and connections.
Deep dives
Reimagining Happiness for a Better Life
Reimagining happiness involves questioning the traditional notions of what makes us happy. It explores the concept of old happiness, which emphasizes perfection and independence, contrasting it with new happiness that focuses on community, connection, and altruism. The podcast delves into how societal values and individual beliefs influence our pursuit of happiness and highlights the importance of rediscovering the interconnectedness between personal growth and contributing to the greater good.
Finding Happiness Through Intrinsic Goals and Joyful Pursuits
The episode emphasizes the significance of shifting our focus from achieving external milestones to pursuing intrinsic goals that bring joy along the way. It discusses how small moments of joy derived from meaningful activities, such as learning new skills or engaging in hobbies, contribute to a sustainable sense of happiness. By recognizing the beauty in everyday experiences, individuals can cultivate a deeper appreciation for life and the inherent goodness within themselves.
Building Connections and Community for Lasting Happiness
The podcast underscores the role of community in fostering happiness by encouraging individuals to actively engage with their surroundings and build meaningful connections. It suggests reclaiming ownership over one's local communities and initiating simple acts of kindness as a gateway to forming authentic relationships. By embracing shared interests and initiating interactions with others, people can establish a sense of belonging and contribute to the collective well-being.
Embracing Rejection and Authenticity in Pursuit of Happiness
The conversation delves into the fear of rejection and the importance of embracing authenticity in personal interactions. It highlights the courage required to be vulnerable and genuine in relationships, emphasizing that true happiness stems from staying true to oneself and offering support to others without seeking validation or approval. By distinguishing between people-pleasing and genuine efforts to help others, individuals can navigate social interactions with confidence and integrity.
Sharon is joined today by author Stephanie Harrison to discuss her international best selling book, New Happy. In this book, Stephanie explores why we often get happiness wrong and how we can get it right. She reminds us not to get trapped into what she calls the Old Happy, which is what society tells you you need in order to be happy. From the story of Scrooge and his lack of empathy to how Shaquille O’Neal lives his life, Stephanie compares what happiness means to different people.
Special thanks to our guest, Stephanie Harrison, for joining us today.