In 'The Happiness Curve,' Jonathan Rauch explores a fascinating phenomenon: happiness follows a U-shaped trajectory throughout our lives. Early adulthood is often marked by optimism and joy, but this is frequently followed by a dip in satisfaction during midlife. However, as we age, many people find that their contentment gradually increases again, leading to greater happiness in later years. Through compelling research and personal anecdotes, Rauch delves into the reasons behind this emotional curve, challenging our perceptions of aging and fulfillment. Prepare to rethink your views on happiness and learn why the best might still be ahead.
By Jonathan Rauch
Published: 2018
""Happiness is not a constant; it ebbs and flows, revealing itself more clearly in the valleys of our lives than in the peaks.""
"In this warm, wise, and witty overview, Jonathan Rauch combines evidence and experience to show his fellow adults that the best is yet to come.” —Steven Pinker, bestselling author of Enlightenment Now This book will change your life by showing you how life changes. Why does happiness get harder in your 40s? Why do you feel in a slump when you’re successful? Where does this malaise come from? And, most importantly, will it ever end? Drawing on cutting-edge research, award-winning journalist Jonathan Rauch answers all these questions. He shows that from our 20s into our 40s, happiness follows a U-shaped trajectory, a “happiness curve,” declining from the optimism of youth into what’s often a long, low slump in middle age, before starting to rise again in our 50s. This isn’t a midlife crisis, though. Rauch reveals that this slump is instead a natural stage of life—and an essential one. By shifting priorities away from competition and toward compassion, it equips you with new tools for wisdom and gratitude to win the third period of life. And Rauch can testify to this personally because it was his own slump, despite acclaim as a journalist and commentator that compelled him to investigate the happiness curve. His own story and the stories of many others from all walks of life—from a steelworker and a limo driver to a telecoms executive and a philanthropist—show how the ordeal of midlife malaise reboots our values and even our brains for a rebirth of gratitude. Full of insights and data and featuring many ways to endure the slump and avoid its perils and traps, The Happiness Curve doesn’t just show you the dark forest of midlife, it helps you find a path through the trees. It also demonstrates how we can—and why we must—do more to help each other through the woods. Midlife is a journey we mustn’t walk alone.
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“"Happiness is not a constant; it ebbs and flows, revealing itself more clearly in the valleys of our lives than in the peaks."”
The Happiness Curve
By Jonathan Rauch
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Jonathan Rauch is an American author, journalist, and public policy expert, renowned for his insightful analyses of contemporary issues. He is a senior writer at The Atlantic and has contributed to various esteemed publications, including The New Yorker and National Journal. Rauch is the author of several notable works, including "Gay Marriage: Why It Is Good for Gays, Good for Straights, and Good for America," which played a significant role in advocating for same-sex marriage rights, and "The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth," where he explores the importance of a shared framework for knowledge in a diverse society. Known for his clear, persuasive writing style, Rauch combines rigorous research with accessible prose, making complex topics accessible to a broad audience.
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