A Long Year of Languishing
Hello positive well-being! – you’ve been missed.
25 May 2021
By Beth Rochester
Photo by Tim De Pauw on Unsplash
To say the past year has been difficult would be an understatement. Simply the thought of 2020 makes me shudder; not being able to see loved ones, limits on being outside, migrating between the same few rooms each day – no thank you.
Recently I caught up with a friend and noticed that they sat there with slumped shoulders and this kind of bleak expression. Then I realised… I was exactly the same. Both of us were sitting there in this ‘meh’ state. Not thriving, but not just surviving either. Oh no, we were languishing.
Languishing
The state of being stagnated and unproductive.
According to Keyes1, languishing is an absence of positive well-being, but also an absence of mental illness. It’s this midpoint on a continuum from depression to flourishing. You aren’t clinically depressed, but you equally aren’t the pinnacle of positive well-being. If this sounds familiar, it’s time to think – could you be languishing?
‘A Personal Checklist for Languishing’
Maybe you resonate with the idea of languishing, maybe you don’t. If you’re not sure, consider these questions regarding the 6 aspects of positive functioning2.1. Self-acceptance – When was the last time you acknowledged your own strengths and achievements? 2. Positive relations with others – Have you made the effort to keep in contact with the people you care about? 3. Purpose in life – Do you know what gives you a sense of purpose and fulfilment?4. Personal growth – What new experiences have you tried recently? What skills have you developed?5. Environmental mastery – Are you able to change what you don’t like in your surroundings?6. Autonomy – Can you confidently act by your own values and opinions?
If you’re struggling to have a positive answer to these questions, there’s a good chance you’re languishing. But don’t panic! We’ve got your back with our remedies for languishing.
‘Remedies for Languishing’
1. Let Yourself Flow
Flow. A quick and effective fix for languishing. Flow is all about immersing yourselfin a meaningful project. According to Adam Grant3, it was the best predictor of well-being at the beginning of the pandemic. I tried this method personally by directing my attention to creating a painted rock collection. My motivation went through the roof! Who would’ve thought that painting rocks would be my get up and go? Think about what you could direct your focus to – it can be absolutely anything! Maybe this will kickstart your motivation the same way painting rocks has for me. And if you’re interested, here is my growing painted rock collection!
Photo by Beth Rochester
2. Take that Small Win
When we have a goal, we usually tunnel vision to the end point. But it’s always disheartening when an end-goal feels far away. This is where small wins come in. The minor achievements you make can have a major impact on your positive well-being. So, take that small win! Give yourself a pat on the back! Scream ‘I did that’! Just acknowledge and smile about what you have managed to accomplish. By doing this, you can remind yourself of all the amazing things you have achieved so far. 3. Start a Success Tree
Our final remedy is all about success trees. ‘What are success trees?’, you may ask. Well, success trees are templates for figuring out how goals can be achieved. You draw a tree (it doesn’t have to be as good as Monet) and on each branch you write down a different way of how you can achieve a goal. Physically having this tree works wonders for improving motivation. You hit a snag – no problem, just move
Photo by William Farlow on Unsplash
onto the next branch!
With lockdown easing we want to promptly kick languishing to the curb. No more slumped shoulders or bleak expressions. No. What we want is positive well-beingand one way or another, we are going to achieve it. Only you have the power to overcome your own languishing, but we’re here with our languishing remedies to help. So, think – what are you going to do today to conquer your languishing?
References to include:
1- Keyes (2002): languishing https://www.jstor.org/stable/3090197?casa_token=fwJEdvn1aN4AAAAA%3AQIvfChbhq0PmOEUmSz3pUM08BNHQOAbs7ilN1YqzXa_i2joLxGWZCks58kooaiUFsgJqn1lbf2Kug19ZJt9XEM–jPs7KwySUXY2okfEROrv-B6opTkN&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
2- Ryff & Keyes (1995): structure of positive well-being https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.69.4.719
3- Adam Grant: Languishing articlehttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html
4- Amabile & Kramer (2011): small wins
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