If neoliberalism privatised happiness, then the path forward lies in reclaiming it as a shared human experience. The antidote to hyper-individualism is not more self-optimisation, but a renewed focus on humanism, compassion, and interconnectedness. Humanistic psychology, founded by thinkers like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasised...
While self-help promised empowerment, it also carried a hidden cost. Neoliberalism’s emphasis on personal responsibility shifted attention away from collective realities. When everything — success, happiness, even burnout — becomes your fault or your choice, the psychological burden is immense. Under neoliberal logic, the individual becomes...
The modern self-help industry didn’t just appear out of nowhere, it’s at least in part the product of a particular historical and economic philosophy: neoliberalism. Emerging in the late 20th century, neoliberalism prioritised individual responsibility, market freedom, and personal productivity as the ultimate measures of...
Hope is often spoken of as something we feel: we “hope for the best,” “hold on to hope,” or “lose hope.” But in the science of positive psychology, hope is much more than an emotion or wishful thinking, it’s a dynamic force that shapes our...
Walk into any room and you’ll find a spectrum of human expression. Some people light up the space with stories and laughter. Others prefer quiet observation, connecting deeply one-on-one. Some feel emotions like a symphony, intense and beautifully complex, while others are steady, calm waters. And guess...
In a world that celebrates success and recognition, it’s easy to measure our worth by what we achieve or how others respond. Yet decades of research in psychology and wellbeing reveal that real fulfilment comes not from applause, but from alignment — living according to...
Most of us spend our lives trying to make things easier—more convenient, more comfortable, more predictable. Yet science tells us that the very opposite, discomfort, is often the key to growth, fulfilment, and long-term happiness. Whether in our personal lives or careers, learning to embrace...
If you’ve ever looked forward to a big purchase, a dream holiday, or even a long-awaited promotion, only to find it didn’t feel quite as good as you imagined it would be, you’re not alone. Science tells us that humans are remarkably bad at predicting...
Think about the last time you went for a walk, ate a meal, or even commuted to work. Were you alone—or was someone by your side? A growing body of research suggests that the difference between these two experiences could be much bigger than we...
When most of us think about happiness, we jump straight to the “to-do” list: practice gratitude, exercise more, meditate, spend time with friends, journal, eat well. And yes—those things matter. Research backs them up, and I try to do many of them myself. But there’s another...