What if I’m just not a "bubbly" person? Can I still be happy?
Dr. Acacia Parks-Sheiner answers a common question from users:
Question: What if I’m just not a “bubbly” person? Can I still be happy?
Happiness isn’t just about being bubbly – according to Seligman, there are three distinct routes to happiness, and the research tells us that any of these three paths can get you there. They are:
- Positive emotion
- Flow
- Meaning
Take your pick! You can follow any one of these paths, or all three, and end up happier than you were before. You don’t need to be bubbly, or even in a good mood – some people just aren’t built for the positive emotion route! If you think this might be you, try focusing on getting lost in your work or hobbies, or feeling like you are doing something meaningful. You’ll get more bang for your buck.
Dr. Acacia Parks-Sheiner is an instructor in positive psychology, a researcher and a member of the Positive Psychology Practitioner Directory. Dr. Parks-Sheiner has taught a variety of classes on how to use positive psychology interventions, and she often gets questions from students and clients about what will work best for them.
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Acacia – is calmness and contentment a positive emotion? you seem to imply that it isn’t
Hi Wayne – yes, calmness and contentment are positive emotions. My argument is that some people don’t “feel” a lot in the way of emotions – Marty Seligman talks about a friend of his who is “low in positive affect,” for example – but that does not mean they cannot be happy. Positive emotions are just one path to happiness.
Acacia – but the PANAS etc only measures high energy emotions – it overlooks the low energy ones which are good predictors of life satisfaction etc
That is not true! There is a revised version of the PANAS that takes the low energy emotions into account.
Where is this revised PANAS? I haven’t seen it yet… Can you provide a link or reference?
Thanks,
Lisa
http://www.lvsconsulting.com