Yesterday (16 March 2022) marked my last and final lesson for one of my master’s modules. The module was titled “Current Debates and Developments in Positive Psychology and Well-Being”.

As I reflected on the whole process of learning this module, it made me understand more about myself, culture, and society as a whole.

For myself

Since I was young, I had always been interested in and reading self-help types of books. Mostly non-fiction books about the “how-to” pertaining to life. After attending this module, I kind of figured out that all those self-help books that I read are under the umbrella of Positive Psychology. It focuses on the positive events and influences in life, such as how can one learn how to flourish and live their best lives. Reading all those self-help books teaches me the power of shifting my perspective – which gives me a radically more positive outlook on life. There are a few habitual everyday behaviours that I have cultivated. After attending this course, I realised that those simple exercises I did really lead me to feel a bit more optimism and grateful for my life. For instance, every night before I go to bed, I will do some reflection in my mind. This habit occurred unconsciously. I will ask myself what some of the things I am thankful for and what are some of things I can do better. With my research background and understanding, there are really many theories, studies, and findings that can give us concrete ideas for improving our own quality of life. Internally for me, it seems like I’ve found one of my connecting dots.

The key takeaway after going through this course was life is always full of ups and downs and we will always experience either a positive affect or negative affect in a particular situation. When we are in a negative situation and affect, how can we re-think the “positive” in the negative experience and embrace what we are feelings internally. There are many things we can do to boost happiness but what else can we do to prevent hedonic adaptation. There once a Master that told me to think with my heart and not use my head. I think now I understand what she meant. The “heart” matters more than the “head” as in we need to show empathy and compassion, and these are just as important as critical thinking.

I believe what I learn and apply can teach me how to live a good life path.

For Culture

The self does not hold the same meaning across cultures. In Western societies, the self is seen as independent and autonomous while the self in collectivistic cultures is seen as interdependent and dutiful. Although Singapore is known as a collectivist culture, I think that we are a country with some characteristics of individualistic and collectivistic traits due to globalisation.

The takeaway is that although every country is being categorized into either individualistic or collectivistic culture, the end goal of what the self seeks to live a better life outcome can be seen as a pathway to our fundamental goal of happiness.

For modern society

The topic of the well-being of humans and society has always spark an interest in me. The question of “who we are?” or “who am I?”. Being in this modern society, there are many connections established between the self and life outcomes such as health, employment, education, environmental behaviours, and social outcomes. The attention and interest of our well-being tie hand in hand with what the policymakers made. For instance, Singapore has a top-notch education system. Citizens must attend compulsory education mandatory till the age of 16 years old unless exemptions are given. As Singapore believes that education is the only pathway to prepare children for a knowledge-based economy and nurture a sense of national identity. Whatever policy that was being implemented in society; it was really evidence research-based. They will provide a rationale behind the “what” and “why” it was done.

On a personal note, I believe many of us are chasing happiness. In the process of chasing happiness, we tend to lose ourselves and we will come to a point where we realised why it always isn’t enough and we always want to seek more. This is chasing one aspect of life and there are many other “balls” that require us to balance that equilibrium. I’ve come to realize that we do not need to force in this way. There will always be a source running through you that is wiser than the head. And only we know HOW.

Absolutely we will. No experience is useless.