How to Be Real in a Fake World
Om avsnittet
When I was a kid, I loved Halloween—I mean who doesn’t love candy and dressing up for a night? It turns out, October 31 is not the only day we wear a disguise. Today, I’m talking about the masks we wear the other 364 days of the year.
In this episode of Office Hours, I explore the psychology behind why we wear masks in our daily lives and the emotional cost of hiding our feelings. More importantly, I share three ways we can take off the mask and live more honestly, so that we can give and receive the love we need most.
***
Are you interested in helping others through the science of happiness? I have a new three-day program—learn more here.
—
Brought to you by:
• LMNT—A science-backed electrolyte drink mix that helps you feel and perform your best, without sugar, artificial ingredients, or gimmicks. Get a free sample pack at DrinkLMNT.com/Arthur
—
Where to find Arthur Brooks:
• In-person Retreats: https://retreats.arthurbrooks.com/
• Newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
—
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(12:17) Activation vs. inhibition
(14:22) When masking becomes a problem
(25:10) Why honesty matters more than avoiding conflict
(27:48) #1. Take a break from yourself
(31:19) #2. Take your mask off around loved ones
(34:07) #3. Make sure you like what’s behind the mask
(37:29) Q&A: The difference between satisfaction and happiness
(38:59) Q&A: Coping with disappointment
(41:07) Q&A: Reconciling belief in God with suffering
—
Referenced:
• The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness:themeaningofyourlife.com
• Arthur’s newsletter: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/newsletter
• The Happiness Scale: https://learn.arthurbrooks.com/the-happiness-scale
• The Pursuit of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: https://www.thefp.com/s/the-pursuit-of-happiness-with-arthur
• Maskenfreiheit: https://www.dwds.de/wb/Maskenfreiheit
• Develop Authenticity: 20 Ways to Be a More Authentic Person: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-for-happiness/201904/develop-authenticity-20-ways-to-be-a-more-authentic-person
• George F. Will: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/george-f-will/
• Pan Am Smile: https://www.talkspace.com/blog/the-7-types-of-smiles-and-how-people-perceive-them/
• Not all smiles are created equal: the differences between enjoyment and nonenjoyment smiles: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/humr.1993.6.1.9/html
• Smiling with Your Eyes: What Exactly Is a Duchenne Smile?: https://www.healthline.com/health/duchenne-smile
• Cultural differences in the production of emotional facial expressions: a review: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1699374/full
• ...References continued at: https://www.arthurbrooks.com/office-hours
Office Hours with Arthur Brooks med Arthur Brooks finns tillgänglig på flera plattformar. Informationen på denna sida kommer från offentliga podd-flöden.