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I thought this article would be about hookers and blow... nevermind. Basically: When imagining about a happy event it is better to imagine what would have been
by ardit33 17y ago
I thought this article would be about hookers and blow... nevermind.
Basically: When imagining about a happy event it is better to imagine what would have been if you didn't have something you have right now (eg. gf/bf, school education, good job, food on the table, nice pad),
rather then thinking about "what if x" happened, where x is something that you wish it happens to you; like winning the lottery, getting a gf., a job, whatever.
So, I guess this study plays on two things:
1. You have to have something nice in your life that you cherish about.
2. The "loss aversion" feelings in humans, makes you think it would really suck if you lost it, and you are happy to have that thing (as it puts a larger value to something you already have).
Works for some people I guess. If your life really sucks, then you could say "well, it could get worse, look at those kids in haiti. I should be happy for what I have, and hey, my life doesn't suck that much in comparison. "
- _delirium 17y agoIf I'm reading it correctly, it looks like it also makes a difference how you approach the things you do have. They found that thinking about what it'd be like if you'd never met your significant other, for example, made you more happy than reminiscing about how you did meet him/her.
- bad_user 17y ago> If your life really sucks, then you could say "well, it could get worse, look at those kids in haiti. I should be happy for what I have, and hey, my life doesn't suck that much in comparison. " You're saying it like that's a bad thing ... I know people that have everything they ever wanted, and are still unhappy (including my parents).