The happiness curve: why life gets better after 50
(Book)
The author argues for a “happiness curve” to life—a common, U-shaped path from youthful idealism, through middle-aged disappointment, to eventual happiness—in this inspired take on midlife crises. In researching the topic, Rauch gave interviewees a questionnaire about their satisfaction level at the present and at earlier ages, finding that those in their 40s often describe feeling profoundly dissatisfied, even when there seemed no compelling reason to be so. Older subjects reported feeling the same demoralization during their 40s, but also increased satisfaction at their present age and even a “rebirth of gratitude.” What’s the reason for that return to contentment? It can be multilayered, Rauch says; it may surface as “a sense of mastery.” Or it may be that “settling increases our contentment.” While Rauch provides a few suggestions for getting through the low times—a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, for instance—it’s the many interviews with survey participants that will provide the most reassurance to readers. They will also take comfort from Rauch’s personal investment in the subject—he has moved through the bottom of his own happiness curve and concludes his heartening self-help book by writing that it was “worth the wait.”
Notes
Rauch, J. (2018). The happiness curve: why life gets better after 50. First edition. New York, A Thomas Dunne Book, St. Martin's Press.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)Rauch, Jonathan, 1960-. 2018. The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50. New York, A Thomas Dunne Book, St. Martin's Press.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)Rauch, Jonathan, 1960-, The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50. New York, A Thomas Dunne Book, St. Martin's Press, 2018.
MLA Citation (style guide)Rauch, Jonathan. The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50. First edition. New York, A Thomas Dunne Book, St. Martin's Press, 2018.
Record Information
Last Sierra Extract Time | May 01, 2024 11:26:30 AM |
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Last File Modification Time | May 01, 2024 11:26:43 AM |
Last Grouped Work Modification Time | May 03, 2024 01:37:11 AM |
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100 | 1 | |a Rauch, Jonathan,|d 1960-|e author. | |
245 | 1 | 4 | |a The happiness curve :|b why life gets better after 50 /|c Jonathan Rauch. |
250 | |a First edition. | ||
264 | 1 | |a New York :|b A Thomas Dunne Book, St. Martin's Press,|c 2018. | |
300 | |a viii, 244 pages :|b charts ;|c 25 cm | ||
336 | |a text|b txt|2 rdacontent | ||
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504 | |a Includes bibliographical references and index. | ||
505 | 0 | |a The voyage of life: Thomas Cole's journey—and mine -- What makes us happy (and doesn't): the strange illogic of life satisfaction -- A timely discovery: how unsuspecting economists (and apes) found the happiness curve -- The shape of the river: time, happiness, and the curve of the U -- The expectations trap: midlife malaise is often about nothing -- The paradox of aging: why getting old makes you happier -- Crossing toward wisdom: the happiness curve has a purpose, and it's social -- Helping ourselves: how to get through the U -- Helping each other: bringing midlife out of the closet -- Epilogue: Gratitude. | |
520 | |a The author argues for a “happiness curve” to life—a common, U-shaped path from youthful idealism, through middle-aged disappointment, to eventual happiness—in this inspired take on midlife crises. In researching the topic, Rauch gave interviewees a questionnaire about their satisfaction level at the present and at earlier ages, finding that those in their 40s often describe feeling profoundly dissatisfied, even when there seemed no compelling reason to be so. Older subjects reported feeling the same demoralization during their 40s, but also increased satisfaction at their present age and even a “rebirth of gratitude.” What’s the reason for that return to contentment? It can be multilayered, Rauch says; it may surface as “a sense of mastery.” Or it may be that “settling increases our contentment.” While Rauch provides a few suggestions for getting through the low times—a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables, for instance—it’s the many interviews with survey participants that will provide the most reassurance to readers. They will also take comfort from Rauch’s personal investment in the subject—he has moved through the bottom of his own happiness curve and concludes his heartening self-help book by writing that it was “worth the wait.” | ||
650 | 0 | |a Middle age|x Psychological aspects. | |
650 | 0 | |a Happiness. | |
650 | 0 | |a Interpersonal relations. | |
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