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The Other Side of Languishing Is Flourishing. Here’s How to Get There.
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The Other Side of Languishing Is Flourishing. Here’s How to Get There.

Dani Blum
The New York Times, 2021
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There’s been a good deal of talk about how the economy will recover from the pandemic – this industry needs to digitize, that industry will have to move from the virtual to the in-person space or vice-versa – but what about you? How are you going to move from surviving to thriving? New York Times writer Dani Blum outlines steps to help you get through the next several months as you transition from pandemic life to what comes next. While some of the advice may seem obvious (practice gratitude, savor the small things), other tips might pull you from a slump or help kick your life up a gear.

Summary

Take the first step to flourishing by developing an awareness of your current state.

After more than a year spent in upheaval and isolation, how do you feel? Are you flourishing: alight with a sense of happiness, purpose and fulfillment? Or are you languishing: feeling like you’re mired, aimless and low on batteries? Recognizing your current state can help you make changes that will take you in the right direction.

To determine whether you’re languishing or flourishing, think of how you feel when you wake up in the morning. Are you excited to start your day or do you struggle to get out of bed? Are your days imbued with meaning, or are you unsure of your purpose? If you feel unsure of your present state, take the simple 10-question “Are You Flourishing?” quiz that Harvard’s Dr. Tyler VanderWeele designed. Once you know where you stand, the following behaviors can only increase your sense of well-being.

Celebrate the little ...

About the Author

Dani Blum is a news assistant at The New York Times Well desk. Her work has appeared in GQ, The Daily Beast, MTV News, and Cosmopolitan, among other publications.

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