What does it mean to live well? A comprehensive review of positive psychology literature from 1999 to 2024 suggests that the answer is deeply personal. Well-being is not a fixed state but a unique journey shaped by individual experiences and contexts.

Kubzansky et al. (2018) underscore the complexity of psychological well-being, noting that its definition varies due to individual experiences and factors such as optimism or social support. For someone with cardiovascular disease, well-being might involve finding joy in small daily achievements, while for an adolescent, it could centre on navigating peer relationships or academic pressures (Tejada-Gallardo et al., 2021).

This subjectivity is further evidenced in studies like Lippke et al. (2021), which examined how internet activity influences well-being. The impact of online behaviours—whether social media engagement or gaming—depends on individual preferences and emotional responses. Similarly, Weiss et al. (2016) found that the success of well-being interventions relies on personal engagement, highlighting that well-being is a tailored experience rather than a universal benchmark.

Even in specific contexts, such as gender role socialisation (Cole et al., 2018) or clinical settings (Macaskill, 2016), well-being remains fluid. For men, societal expectations might shape their sense of purpose, while for patients in clinical settings, character strengths like resilience are pivotal. These examples illustrate that well-being is not a destination but a path, unique to each individual.

By recognising well-being as a personal journey, positive psychology encourages us to celebrate individual differences. Interventions are most effective when they align with a person’s lived experiences, empowering them to craft their own version of a fulfilling life.

References

Cole, B. P., Baglieri, M., Ploharz, S., Brennan, M., Ternes, M. S., Patterson, T. P., … & Kuznia, A. (2018). What’s right with men? Gender role socialization and men’s positive functioning. American Journal of Men’s Health, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988318806074

Kubzansky, L. D., Huffman, J. C., Boehm, J. K., Hernandez, R., Kim, E. S., Koga, H. K., … & Labarthe, D. R. (2018). Positive psychological well-being and cardiovascular disease. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 72(12), 1382–1396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.07.042

Lippke, S., Dahmen, A., Gao, L., Guza, E., & Nigg, C. R. (2021). To what extent is internet activity predictive of psychological well-being? Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 14, 207–219. https://doi.org/10.2147/prbm.s274502

Macaskill, A. (2016). Review of positive psychology applications in clinical medical populations. Healthcare, 4(3), Article 66. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare4030066

Tejada-Gallardo, C., Blasco-Belled, A., & Mora, C. A. (2021). Feeling positive towards time: How time attitude profiles are related to mental health in adolescents. Journal of Adolescence, 89(1), 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2021.04.002

Weiss, L., Westerhof, G. J., & Bohlmeijer, E. T. (2016). Can we increase psychological well-being? The effects of interventions on psychological well-being: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS ONE, 11(6), Article e0158092. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0158092

Additional Resources

• Books:
  • Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2002). Flow: The psychology of optimal experience. Rider.
  • Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). The how of happiness: A practical guide to getting the life you want. Piatkus.
• Articles:
  • Huppert, F. A. (2009). Psychological well-being: Evidence regarding its causes and consequences. Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, 1(2), 137–164. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-0854.2009.01008.x
  • Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2001). On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being. Annual Review of Psychology, 52(1), 141–166. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.52.1.141
• Blogs:
  • Psychology Today: “The pursuit of well-being” (https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/basics/well-being)
  • The Positive Psychology People: “Well-being as a journey” (https://www.thepositivepsychologypeople.com/well-being-as-a-journey/)
• Podcasts:
  • The Science of Happiness by Greater Good Science Center: Episode on “Personal Well-Being” (Available on Spotify/Apple Podcasts).
  • Feel Better, Live More by Dr. Rangan Chatterjee: Episode on “The Power of Positive Psychology” (Available on various platforms).
• YouTube Videos:
  • TED Talks: “The surprising science of happiness | Dan Gilbert” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q1dgn_C0AU)
  • Positive Psychology: “Well-being: A personal journey” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kMh3s3fS8c)