The Habits of Happiness Newsletter

December 2022 Edition

Jonah Paquette, PsyD

Welcome back to those who've been with me for awhile, and welcome if you're here for the first time! I created this newsletter to share interesting resources on the science of happiness, along with updates about my writing, speaking, and other projects. If you missed last month's update and want to catch up, you can find the November Newsletter here. Thanks so much for being with me on this journey!

Update of the month:

Last week, my newest book Happily Even After came out! Click here or on the image below to order your copy today. Like my previous books, Happily Even After focuses on skills related to the science of well-being -- concepts like awe, gratitude, self-compassion, psychological richness, strengths, and more. But unlike most books grounded in positive psychology, Happily Even After aims to show readers how we can apply the skills needed for happiness following life's hardships. Whether related o the pandemic or just that thing called life (and all that goes along with it), we could all use a bit of support to help us get back on track and find more fulfillment, peace, and connection in life. I hope you check out my book, and would love to hear what you think! 

In the meantime, as some of you know, I recently made the difficult but positive decision to leave my job of twelve years at Kaiser Permanente, a place that's been my professional home for as long as I've been a psychologist. I've loved so much of my time there, but have felt more of a calling to devote my energies towards more keynote speaking, workshop facilitation, writing, and developing online content. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in 2023 when it comes to those efforts!

Speaking of, my 2023 workshop schedule is starting to fill up. If you're a mental health professional interested in attending one of my seminars, webinars, or retreats, you can find a listing of these on my website. And if you’re interested in bringing me in to your organization to give a keynote or workshop, click here. 

I'm also happy to share my new speaker reel! After years of doing quite a bit of professional speaking, I've been starting to do more organizational and corporate training in addition to my clinician-focused workshops.

Click the link below to check it out. I hope this reel gives you a sense of my style and personality when presenting!

Quote of the month: 

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it” – Thich Nhat Hanh

In preparing for a recent talk I gave on the power of mindfulness, I was reminded of this beautiful quote reminding us of the importance of staying in the present and appreciating the beauty and good that exists right in the here and now.

Our mind is often wandering to the future or dwelling on the past -- some research even suggests that our mind spends roughly HALF(!) of our waking hours outside of the present moment. That's a lot!

We all need a reminder to spend a little bit more time just...here. What are some activities that help you feel grounded and anchored to the here and now? Breathing? Meditating? Gardening? I'd love to hear!

Picture of the month:

My wife and I recently had the chance to spend time with some dear friends out towards Lake Tahoe. This breathtaking vista greeted us on a hike we did, looking out towards beautiful Emerald Bay. 

I found the natural beauty so awe-inspiring -- the combination of such a scenic lake, granite mountain ranges, evergreen trees. Truly awe-inspiring! What experiences in nature give you a feeling of awe? As I describe in my book Awestruck, these sorts of experiences can hold powerful benefits for our mental health, physical health, and relationships.

Article of the month:

I was very much struck by this recent excellent article by Senator Chris Murphy from Connecticut on loneliness. As I describe in my books and often speak about in my talks, loneliness is nothing short of an epidemic and a public health crisis at this point. Loneliness has been linked to a host of adverse outcomes, including greater risk for depression and anxiety, increased inflammation in our body, weakened immune systems, and much more. 

But while I often think about loneliness (and the importance of connection) from the standpoint of a mental health clinician, I found this piece very interesting in terms of its framing of the potential political options to address this. I hope you check out this nuanced, powerful, and important piece:

Book rec of the month:

This month, I'd like to share an excellent book called "Diversity in Clinical Practice: A Practical and Shame-Free Guide" by Lambers Fisher. Lambers is an outstanding therapist, writer, and speaker, who speaks to issues of diversity in a very compassionate, inclusive, and nonjudgmental manner. I've had the chance to hear Lambers speak several times as well, and highly recommend him to your organizations if you're looking for a diversity-focused training.

Click here or on the link below to get a copy of this great book, and click here to learn more about the great work Lambers is doing.

Skill/Handout of the month:

In Happily Even After, I focus several chapters on the theme of posttraumatic growth and resiliency. One concept I explore is how appreciation and gratitude can actually help us overcome times of hardship. Which doesn't mean we feel grateful for the hard stuff, or endorse a "toxic positivity" mindset in pretending like life isn't challenging. Rather, it means consciously and deliberately seeking out the good even, or especially, when life is challenging.

This month’s handout is a short exercise adapted from my forthcoming book Happily Even After. As always, feel free to use it in your own life, or if you’re a therapist you’re welcome to use it with any client who might find it helpful.  Click the link below to learn more about it!

Interview of the month:

I recently had the chance to be interviewed on the Science of Psychotherapy Podcast talking about awe, happiness, and resilience. Click here to listen on Apple Podcasts. 

Thank You of the Month:

I’d like to give a shout-out to the fabulous Liz Kelly, who was kind enough to write a blurb for my new book Happily Even After. I was so touched by these words, and wanted to share them with you here. Liz has some really amazing things brewing too that I look forward to sharing as soon as she is ready:

“Happily Even After is a breath of fresh air in a world that feels increasingly heavy. Jonah Paquette, PsyD, provides down-to-earth and practical suggestions for cultivating happiness and resilience. I feel inspired and energized by Jonah's engaging words and thoughtful insight.” – Liz Kelly, LICSW

What's on tap:

Stay tuned for some exciting new resources coming out in the next few months, including e-guides, mini-courses, and some fun speaking opportunities I'll share more about soon.

But in the meantime, I'm probably most excited about an upcoming trip to Egypt that my wife and I are going on in just a few short weeks. It's a place we've always dreamed of visiting, and we can't wait to spend some time soaking up the amazing sights. Sure to be an awe-inspiring place!

Stay in touch!

Thanks so much for signing up for my newsletter, and look forward to sharing more fun updates with you in the time to come. I'd also love to connect with you on social media, so feel free to use the links right below to connect with me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. And of course check out my website as I'll be adding some online courses, updates on my podcast, and other fun updates as well.

Until next time,

Jonah