New Completely satisfied: Getting Happiness Proper in a World That is Received It Unsuitable

New Happy: A Fundamental Shift in Pursuing Happiness
(TL;DR: The book delivers—in a wonderfully engaging way. Pick it up!)All my devices are set to ‘dark mode,’ and I shy away from ‘the big light.’ This is my excuse for the embarrassing admission that the bright, white, and colorfully adorned cover of Stephanie Harrison’s New Happy: Getting Happiness Right in a World That’s Got It Wrong might not have pulled me in on its own. This was about all the negative feedback I could muster. I thought it best to get it out of the way.While the cover may not have been my first choice, the message of hope contained therein echoes what I have witnessed by adopting the philosophy New Happy describes. The wonderful, insightful artwork inside would not work on a dark background anyway. Besides, given the subject at hand, I believe it is justifiably vivid.The book’s structure presents its concepts intuitively through five parts. In the first two, we learn about where our current views of happiness (old happy) come from, where they have fallen us short, and the lies those views lead us to tell ourselves. Part three explains for us a bit more about what happiness really is. From there, parts four and five move on to self-exploration and ways and places we might use the knowledge gained.Stephanie Harrison introduces herself and her story up front, disclosing what led to the development of this new philosophy, demonstrating a level of vulnerability that let’s us know refreshing authenticity promises to follow. There is no burying the lede here, either. Midway through the first chapter she divulges what the secret to happiness is: discover who you are and share yourself in ways that help others.Oh, is that all?Harrison’s work—and thus our own—would be easier if we didn’t have to spend so much time unraveling the illusion of ‘old happy,’ showing how, for many, it’s an endless chase of moving goals. Images of greyhounds perpetually running after a mechanical rabbit, serve as a stark metaphor.That deconstruction is necessarily covered by New Happy. Know your enemy, after all. Our enemy — old happy in this case — is, in part, the set of concepts that, according to societal and cultural expectations, happiness is found in external achievements, material possessions, and constant success. It goes on to explain these expectations lead us to an eternal state of striving for something extrinsic, without an understanding for what true happiness is.A core message from New Happy is the importance of self-awareness and understanding who we are. This resonated with me enormously, especially after my experience with the Values Wheel (available at thenewhappy.com/values-wheel ) and other exercises.Practical tools and reflective questions throughout the book help readers identify their strengths and passions. Thoughtful little dives into self-discovery, they encourage a deeper exploration of what will bring genuine enrichment, rather than the old happy way taught to us by society. This is where Stephanie’s work stands out — though deeply researched, it remains accessible and actionable. There are further exercises available at thenewhappy.com, and for me, they’ve all proven worthy of my time.A favorite idea from the book is we can find joy in our work and daily activities by aligning them with our core values. This insight was revelatory in understanding why my previous positions had felt so empty and why new roles can be so fulfilling: using who we are to help people, in a way — and a job — that fits with many of the values we associate with ourselves.Another concept I am working to add to my daily practice is Stephanie’s take on loving-kindness meditation:”You can practice this meditation formally, but I have a specific twist on it that effortlessly integrates it into your daily life. Whenever you pass someone on the streets, at the shops, or at work, look at them for a moment and mentally say, “I hope you will be happy today,” or “You deserve love and happiness.” Create these pockets of love in every day.”Keeping with the spirit of loving kindness, I have tried to get in the habit of doing it when walking past mirrors, too. That has been a little harder to take on, but I am getting there.Emphasizing the importance of community and connection, New Happy highlights how true well-being comes from our relationships and the positive impact we have on one another. Reflecting on the various communities I have been fortunate to count myself a part of throughout my life further crystallizes this. The deep-seated sense of belonging and purpose found in these groups align directly with tenets the book describes.Of course, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions, particularly when it comes to things so personal as what makes us happy. New Happy may not strike a chord with everyone — or it may depend on where you are in life. A year ago, it would not have had anywhere approaching this impact on me. You may discover, that through happenstance, circumstance, or ingenuity, the lessons Stephanie Harrison is trying to teach us are already known to you. More probable, as with my not-too-distant self, you may not be in a place to receive what she is transmitting right now. Should you find that to be the case, it is OK, I encourage you to set the book aside for a while; it will be there when you are ready.Wrapping it upNot merely a how-to for happiness, nor for transforming your life by understanding and aligning with your true self. It is those things, of course, but more. New Happy is a movement, and a shift in philosophy. Referring to it as a ‘self-help’ book simultaneously over-simplifies and misclassifies a work at least as much about helping the world.Finding happiness by using who we are to help others, is a truth some may grasp instinctively, or through the gift of a nurturing upbringing. For those like me, it’s one we must glean from life on our own, unless we happen to come across someone, like Stephanie Harrison, willing to share the secret with us. Learning it firsthand has been a deeply profound experience. Another eye-opening takeaway from New Happy has been how much joy we can bring to others, when we simply let go of old happy, and ask for help.Recently, I have focused on noticing when the past lenses through which I viewed the world slip in front of my cognition, and once again distort my notion of what brings happiness. New Happy underscores dismantling our old beliefs is as critical as incorporating the ideas within. As someone who has been on the healing thrill ride for a little while, I want to highlight a phrase I consider as overused as it is misunderstood: ‘doing the work.’ Unlearning ingrained patterns, behaviors, and belief systems, is where the heavy lifting lies.The universe, it seems, has a knack for irony.Changing a lifetime of beliefs and behaviors is a big ask. As with anything worth doing, this is not about quick fixes or superficial changes. It is about a fundamental shift in how we approach our outlook on, and pursuit of, a quality unique to humanity: happiness.I am cognizant that this might be oversharing my story, but I do so in the hopes that you will see that such a shift is possible. Stephanie Harrison’s insights and exercises have had a deep impact on me, aiding me in navigating demanding times, to come out stronger, more self-aware, and not only happier, but with the knowledge of how to cultivate more of it for myself and others.I wholeheartedly recommend this book and the philosophy it represents to anyone — not only those feeling lost or dissatisfied with their current path. It offers a guiding light, and a roadmap to finding genuine happiness in a world that often gets it wrong. Whether you are dealing with personal, professional, or emotional struggles — or if you are tired of chasing that mechanical rabbit — through New Happy, Stephanie Harrison offers tools and wisdom to help you find your way.I credit her as much as my therapists and friends (and yes, me too) for finding myself where I now do. Still with a long journey ahead, only now with a map, a compass, and a guide.

A MUST have/read for everyone
What? Why in the world does this book not have ratings in the thousands by now? The information in New Happy is so useful for everyone and the book offers multiple ways to understand the material – the graphics are useful and wonderful! I am of fan of this book, not only because it resonates as true and useful, but because it’s backed by research and science. It has allowed me to interact with my inner critic in a more gentle/productive way. In regard to mistakes from the past – I now think of those times as situations where I did not have all the information and experience that I have now. This line of thinking gets me “unstuck” and moving forward in a positive way and a force for good.

After experiencing a sudden and traumatic loss, Old Happy and how it influences our work and defines success and even healing was no longer resonating with me. Stephanie’s expertise in Positive Psychology, backed by significant, sound research & digestible stories/graphic is the masterpiece we all need in turbulent times. If you’re too busy to read it, you’re probably living Old Happy.

Stephanie’s emphatic, natural writing style had me so gripped that I devoured the book. A wealth of perspectives, tools and logical conclusions that give you a completely new perspective on society and your own role in it. I had so many click moments while reading. Rarely has a book (and the free book club that goes with it) helped me so much and given me so much lasting quality of life! The community is simply a wonderful breeding ground for discovering yourself and growing happily. THANK YOU for writing this creative masterpiece, Stephanie!

What an incredible book. Should be read by each and every one.This book redefines happiness, success and purpose of life. This isn’t something you can afford to miss. It’s not like any of the self help books. It’s a game changer!