Stephanie Harrison, creator of the New Happy philosophy and author of a transformative happiness guide, discusses redefining happiness through community over individualism. She contrasts joy and happiness, emphasizing the power of connection for personal growth and collective well-being. Stephanie also explores how small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity and the importance of embracing personal gifts to enhance societal happiness. Her insights encourage listeners to rethink their paths to joy and fulfillment.
Stephanie Harrison emphasizes the paradigm shift from 'old happy', driven by individualism, to 'new happy', which intertwines personal fulfillment with community support.
Integrating 'new happy' principles involves recognizing societal conditioning and leveraging unique gifts to foster connections and enhance communal well-being.
Deep dives
The Journey to Happiness
The author shares her transformative journey of discovering happiness through the lens of positive psychology, which she initially encountered due to her own struggles. She recounts how societal pressures and conventional beliefs about happiness led her to feel increasingly dissatisfied despite checking societal boxes. This experience inspired her to delve into positive psychology, a field focused on well-being and fulfillment, prompting her to redefine her understanding of happiness. Ultimately, her personal challenges birthed a quest to uncover empirical truths about joy that could benefit others who feel similarly lost.
Old Happy vs. New Happy
The distinction between 'old happy' and 'new happy' is a central theme in the discussion. 'Old happy' represents traditional societal beliefs shaped by capitalism, individualism, and domination, which often prioritize personal achievement over community and relational well-being. In contrast, 'new happy' emphasizes individual happiness linked with helping others and creating community connections. By promoting the intertwining of personal fulfillment with altruism, she advocates for a more holistic approach to happiness that balances self-care and community support.
Practical Steps for Applying New Happy
'New happy' principles can be integrated into daily life through actionable steps that emphasize community and self-discovery. One essential step is to recognize and challenge the impact of 'old happy' beliefs, allowing individuals to peel back layers of societal conditioning. Following this, individuals should identify their unique gifts—humanity, wisdom, and talent—and leverage these to foster connections and create joy for both themselves and others. Simple acts of kindness can catalyze a ripple effect of compassion, thereby enhancing both personal happiness and communal well-being, which is the essence of 'new happy'.
Stephanie Harrison visits Google to discuss her book “New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That’s Got It Wrong” where she draws upon hundreds of studies to offer a life-changing guide to finding happiness. Through an inspiring blend of art and science, “New Happy” could forever change the way you see yourself and the world.
Stephanie Harrison is the creator of the New Happy philosophy. Her work has been featured in publications such as CNBC, Fast Company, Forbes, and the Harvard Business Review. She is the founder of “The New Happy,” a company helping individuals, companies, and communities apply this philosophy in their lives. The New Happy’s art, newsletter, podcast, and programs reach millions of people around the world every month.