12. Flourishing: The End Goal of Positive Emotions

Redefining Happiness

In this final episode of our Broaden-and-Build series, we explore the big picture: what all those small moments of joy and positive emotion are really leading to: flourishing.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just going through the motions, you’re not alone. Many people today are stuck in a state of languishing, not depressed, but not thriving either. In this episode, I break down what flourishing actually looks like, how it differs from languishing, and why it’s not something you have to earn or figure out. It’s something you can build, slowly and intentionally, starting with a few small shifts.

We’ll talk about how positive emotions reshape our lives, why they matter more than we think, and how to begin moving toward a life that feels fuller, more alive, and more like you.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why flourishing is about progress, not perfection
• The difference between flourishing and languishing, and why many of us live in between
• How positive emotions can help you build resilience, connection, and lasting well-being
• Small, practical ways to start moving toward a life that feels more fulfilling
• How our culture of disconnection and busyness contributes to languishing, and what to do about it

This Week’s Happiness Challenge: Mindful Photography

This week, your Happiness Challenge is a creative one, and it’s based on research from Dr. Jaime Kurtz and Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky.

They found that taking photos of meaningful or positive moments can actually increase happiness, not just by documenting the moment, but by encouraging you to notice and savor it more deeply.

Here’s how to do it:

Throughout the week I want you to take some photos of what brings you happiness and makes you feel good. This isn’t a vision board of what you want your future to look like, they should represent what brings you positive feelings now in your daily life. Ask yourself, if you wanted someone to understand you and what you care most about, how would you capture it?

Take at least five photos this week. Then create a file on your phone or computer, somewhere that you can access them easily. Add to them when you experience something good and refer to them when you need a boost.

I’ve also created a printable worksheet with journaling prompts around this exercise. It is the last part of the “Positivity Reset Kit” I’ve been putting together throughout this series, and together they’ll help you build the habit of prioritizing positivity in your everyday life. They are available now for free in the Podcast Resources Hub. You can find the link in the episode description or head to karencastillo.org and click on Podcast. Or use THIS LINK to get started!

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Music: "Be Happy" by danamusic