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The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Study on Happiness by Robert Waldinger, Marc Schulz
kendragaylelee's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot stop talking about The Good Life. Or thinking about it.
I don't typically gravitate toward non-fiction. But from the minute I opened The Good Life, I was intrigued--because anecdotes! Thoughtful stories about people's lives. Suggestions for reflection so the reader can assess his or her own life.
The book is practical, applicable and hopeful. All while leaning on scientific research. But never once is the data from the Harvard longitudinal study on happiness (the basis for the book) presented in dry academese. It's treated as a living thing, one that can make our lives better & happier, if we'll just heed some of the hard-won lessons from its participants.
The authors are clear: connection is key. And loneliness will be our demise. But then they thoughtfully, chapter by chapter, suggest ways to foster greater connection. To reframe the way we think about our lives, our time, and our success. They treat each of the participant's stories with care and empathy--but they do not hesitate to point to the decisions that caused participants the greatest isolation and unhappiness. And they actively encourage the reader to capitalize on these revelations, to utilize the diligent reporting that the study's subjects committed to year after year.
This book has changed the way I handle challenging conversations, my willingness to interact with strangers, the way I organize my time. It has opened me up to controlling what I can in my life: the way I appreciate and lean into the connections I have with the people in my world.
I cannot recommend this one enough. Everyone should read it.
Get it on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4334/9781982166694
Get it on Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781797149318-the-good-life?bookstore=bookishatl
I don't typically gravitate toward non-fiction. But from the minute I opened The Good Life, I was intrigued--because anecdotes! Thoughtful stories about people's lives. Suggestions for reflection so the reader can assess his or her own life.
The book is practical, applicable and hopeful. All while leaning on scientific research. But never once is the data from the Harvard longitudinal study on happiness (the basis for the book) presented in dry academese. It's treated as a living thing, one that can make our lives better & happier, if we'll just heed some of the hard-won lessons from its participants.
The authors are clear: connection is key. And loneliness will be our demise. But then they thoughtfully, chapter by chapter, suggest ways to foster greater connection. To reframe the way we think about our lives, our time, and our success. They treat each of the participant's stories with care and empathy--but they do not hesitate to point to the decisions that caused participants the greatest isolation and unhappiness. And they actively encourage the reader to capitalize on these revelations, to utilize the diligent reporting that the study's subjects committed to year after year.
This book has changed the way I handle challenging conversations, my willingness to interact with strangers, the way I organize my time. It has opened me up to controlling what I can in my life: the way I appreciate and lean into the connections I have with the people in my world.
I cannot recommend this one enough. Everyone should read it.
Get it on Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4334/9781982166694
Get it on Libro.fm: https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781797149318-the-good-life?bookstore=bookishatl
chanelchapters's review against another edition
The answer to a good life according to this study is: your relationships.
Your romantic, familial and platonic relationships affect your life - this was ok but I felt like it went on too long and I just didn’t get into hearing about the participants of this studies lives.
Your romantic, familial and platonic relationships affect your life - this was ok but I felt like it went on too long and I just didn’t get into hearing about the participants of this studies lives.
mpaz's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I really enjoy this book, the short chapters helped to make it easier to read.
The book covers the investigation of 'happiness' from a Harvard study, as they teach you how to live a better life. The stories of the participants, are seamlessly embeded in the narrative teaching how despite your background or time in life you can change for the better, improving the quality or quantity of your relationships
I like how they acknoledge the uniquness of the human experience, and dont intend to became the golden rule of relationship.
When you finish this book you will value your relationships more, and will be more train to take care of your social fitness
The book covers the investigation of 'happiness' from a Harvard study, as they teach you how to live a better life. The stories of the participants, are seamlessly embeded in the narrative teaching how despite your background or time in life you can change for the better, improving the quality or quantity of your relationships
I like how they acknoledge the uniquness of the human experience, and dont intend to became the golden rule of relationship.
When you finish this book you will value your relationships more, and will be more train to take care of your social fitness