
Books & Writers · The Creative Process: Novelists, Screenwriters, Playwrights, Poets, Non-fiction Writers & Journalists Talk Writing, Life & Creativity ROBERT WALDINGER - Co-Author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness
Dec 22, 2023
Dr. Robert Waldinger, a Harvard psychiatrist and director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, explores the keys to a fulfilling life. He contrasts individualistic American culture with the communal values of places like Bhutan, discussing their impact on happiness. Waldinger highlights loneliness as a significant barrier to well-being and emphasizes the importance of relationships over status. He also shares insights on creativity as a means of connection, advocating for mindfulness and meaningful interactions with loved ones.
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Henry And Rosa's 50‑Year Conversation
- Henry and Rosa sat at their kitchen table after 50 years of marriage to answer, "What is your greatest fear?".
- Henry's fear was being left behind if Rosa died, illustrating long‑term relational dependency.
Collective Versus Individual Well‑Being
- American culture emphasizes individual happiness while some cultures prioritize communal well-being.
- Bhutan requires laws to describe effects on community wellbeing, showing a collective approach to policy.
Lifespan Development Is Ongoing
- The Harvard Study began in 1938 to study normal adult development, a radical idea then.
- It showed development continues through adulthood rather than stopping in the twenties.







