We’ve all spent more time than necessary thinking about everything that’s wrong with the world. From global catastrophes to personal insecurities, it’s easy to fall into the pit of despair and self-criticism. And sure, existentialism told us that life might be absurd and we’re all just a blip in the cosmic timeline, but it didn’t leave us entirely hopeless. In fact, existentialism laid the groundwork for the positive psychology movement.
Wait, what? Yep, it really did. Let’s dive into how pondering the absurdity of life actually paved the way for focusing on what makes life worth living.
Existentialism and Positive Psychology: The Unlikely Friendship
Before positive psychology hit the scene, existentialism was already whispering in our ear, asking, “What’s the meaning of all this?” Existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre and Viktor Frankl weren’t exactly sunshine and rainbows, but they did offer something valuable: the idea that meaning is something we create, not something handed to us on a silver platter. Frankl, in particular, laid down the foundation in his seminal work Man’s Search for Meaning, where he argued that even in the harshest circumstances, humans can find meaning and purpose.
This idea of creating one’s own meaning overlaps beautifully with positive psychology, which emphasizes that well-being isn’t just about avoiding suffering—it’s about actively seeking out what brings fulfillment. Positive psychology builds on existentialism’s acknowledgment that life is hard, but instead of stopping there, it asks: “Now, what can you do to make your life better?” It’s not about ignoring the struggle but integrating it into a fuller, richer life.
In a way, existentialism gave us the “why,” and positive psychology gave us the “how.” You feel the weight of existence? Cool. Now, let’s figure out how to thrive in it. Meaning and purpose—key existentialist ideas—are front and center in today’s positive psychology movement.
How It All Began: A Revolution in Smiling (And Yes, I Smile at Everyone)
The birth of positive psychology came in the late 1990s when Martin Seligman, psychologist and then-president of the American Psychological Association, famously asked, “Why do we spend so much time studying what’s wrong with people? Why not focus on what’s right?” As someone who likes to smile at everyone I see (it’s just a habit at this point), this approach really speaks to me. It’s not about pretending that life isn’t hard—it’s about acknowledging that while challenges exist, there’s a lot of good out there, too. And you can BE THE GOOD!
Seligman’s work was inspired by his research on learned helplessness, where individuals feel powerless to change their circumstances. Instead of just focusing on what drags us down, he flipped the script and asked: “What lifts us up?”
The Dream Team: Who’s Who in Positive Psychology?
Seligman didn’t do it alone. He had a team of intellectual all-stars alongside him:
- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (flow theory guy) studied those moments where time seems to disappear, and you’re completely absorbed in what you’re doing. Have you ever been so immersed in a project or activity that you forgot to check your phone? That’s flow in action, and it’s a major contributor to well-being.
- Barbara Fredrickson introduced the “broaden-and-build” theory, focusing on how positive emotions help us expand our worldview and build lasting resources like resilience and relationships. She’s basically the reason why that random smile you gave to a stranger matters.
- Christopher Peterson coined the snappy mantra of positive psychology: “Other people matter.” This is the science behind why social connections are crucial. It’s also a subtle hint that being kind and friendly isn’t just good manners; it’s vital for happiness.
Positive Psychology in Everyday Life: A Modern Example
Today, positive psychology is not just a concept tucked away in academic journals—it’s everywhere, from schools to workplaces to wellness apps.
Take, for example, the workplace wellness movement. What started as a few companies offering yoga classes and free fruit has blossomed into a full-on cultural shift toward well-being at work.
Many companies now also use strengths-based coaching, a key positive psychology concept that encourages employees to focus on what they’re good at, rather than trying to fix weaknesses. Gone are the days when annual reviews were all about what you need to “improve on.” Now, companies like Google and Adobe are weaving positive psychology principles into their cultures, encouraging employees to find meaning in their work and fostering environments where people can thrive, not just survive.
Emerging Trends in Positive Psychology: Mindfulness and Beyond
One of the biggest trends in positive psychology today is the integration of mindfulness. It may seem like everyone and their grandma is talking about mindfulness, but it wasn’t always this way. The concept, borrowed from ancient Buddhist practices, found its way into positive psychology as researchers started to notice that being present in the moment can significantly improve well-being.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), brought the practice into the medical world back in the 1970s. Fast forward to today, and mindfulness is everywhere—from classrooms teaching children to breathe through frustration to apps like Headspace and Calm reminding us to take a minute to, you know, actually breathe.
The connection between mindfulness and positive psychology is a natural fit. Both focus on enhancing well-being by helping individuals become more aware of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It’s not about turning off your brain (as if that were possible); it’s about observing it and learning how to steer it toward more positive outcomes.
What’s Next: The Future of Positive Psychology
While positive psychology has already made significant strides, the future holds even more potential for growth. We’re seeing new areas of research into resilience training, the use of gratitude interventions, and even the study of post-traumatic growth (how people flourish after significant adversity). And with the increasing focus on well-being in the workplace, education, and healthcare, it’s clear that this movement is just getting started.
Perhaps most importantly, positive psychology is shifting away from being just about “feeling good” and moving toward a more holistic view of well-being—one that acknowledges that struggle and challenge are part of a fulfilling life. In other words, it’s not about smiling through the pain; it’s about finding meaning because of it.