Weekly: Seeing clearly
It's our last newsletter of the year!
I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for being a part of the New Happy community this year.
It's been such a difficult year for so many people. I know that, at times, your faith in humanity and your hopes for the future may have been tested. In those moments, I draw strength from the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of people like you in our community.
Good people. Generous people. Loving people. People who care about other people. You are devoted to creating a happier world, and you show up every day to make the unique contribution that only you can make. It never fails to return me to a deep sense of confidence that we will be able to make our world into the place we dream of.
I want you to know just how grateful I am for you. Thank you. Thank you for letting me, and The New Happy, be a part of your lives. It's the privilege of a lifetime, and one that I feel grateful for each and every day.
To close out the year, I have two questions for you:
What did you learn this year?
What is your intention for next year?
Hit reply and let me know. I'd love to hear from you (and we'll be compiling all of your answers into a special surprise — stay tuned!)
That's all for 2023. We'll be back in your inbox on January 1, 2024!
With love,
Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy
This Week
Old Happy: "I'm separate from others."
New Happy: "I'm connected to others."
Old Happy's individualistic culture teaches us that we are separate from one another. In reality, we are deeply, inextricably connected to one another, in so many ways; studies have found that even our emotions are contagious. Everything that you do has a ripple effect, reaching out to touch other people's lives in ways you will never be able to see or understand.
This connection manifests in so many ways, but one of them is likely very familiar to you: in the way that your state of being influences the way you perceive other people. For example, if you are feeling angry, will you be able to see another person's greatest qualities, forgive them for their mistakes, or learn from their experiences? Probably not! It's really hard to notice these things when you're in that state of being. That, in turn, influences how you respond to them and the relationships that you build with them.
In your next important conversation, I want you to pause and take a pulse check on your own emotions. How are you feeling right now, and how might those feelings be affecting the way you're seeing the other person?
If you discover that your emotions might be fogging your vision, try this: call up your truest self to the interaction instead. Pause, breathe and, in your head, state: "I want to show up for this conversation as my true self." The beauty of this choice is profound — for it is what allows you to see their true self, too.
Tips and Tools
1. Talk about your feelings — This week's animation.
2. Every emotion matters — None are “bad".
3. Suffering can’t be compared — We can heal each other.
4. Acknowledge, then act anyway — Don’t let others’ opinions hold you back.
5. Is your guard up? — Open your heart, just a bit.
More from TNH
Podcast — Get a daily morning pep talk — in five minutes or less
Speaking — Book us to speak to your team about well-being, resilience, and productivity.
Community
What do you do to reset?
"I've been challenged by anxiety my whole life, but the last 12 months I dedicated a lot of time and money to investigating what could help me. Aside from finding a good therapist, learning the power of breathwork has been instrumental in reminding me the power we have in us to transform anxious energy when it arises."
"Music, friends and family help me recenter. ALWAYS."
"I meditate every morning for about 10mins. I noticed that when I don’t do it, life’s heaviness starts taking a toll. If I’m still feeling, I try to do inspirational things like art, singing, or writing." "Sleep!"
Inspiration
1. The ultimate best books of 2023 list (LitHub) — I hope you have time this holiday season to curl up with a few good books.
2. The best TV and movies of 2023 (NPR) — And I hope you have time to immerse yourself in other worlds.
3. The best albums of 2023 (Pitchfork) — And that you’ll put on an album or two that brings you joy.
Before You Go
No spam, just joy.
