Languishing by Corey Keyes Summary
Overview of Languishing
In "Languishing," sociologist Corey Keyes reveals why we're stuck between depression and flourishing - a condition Adam Grant calls "a must-read revelation." Discover the five vitamins for mental wellness that Arianna Huffington praises as "the roadmap to reignite passion in life."
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Key takeaways
The Invisible Struggle Between Surviving and Thriving
Have you ever felt like you're watching your own life from the outside-present but not really there? Not depressed enough to stay in bed, but not energized enough to feel alive? This emotional flatness has a name: languishing. When Adam Grant's viral article named this condition during the pandemic, the response was staggering. Millions recognized themselves in his words-from celebrities to everyday people running on empty. But here's what most don't know: this isn't just pandemic fatigue. Research shows 50-60% of people languish during key life transitions, and the consequences go far beyond feeling "meh." Languishing increases vulnerability to mental illness, physical disease, and even premature death. It's the silent epidemic hiding in plain sight, affecting our children, our workplaces, and our communities in ways we're only beginning to understand. Em Beihold's hit "Numb Little Bug" captures languishing perfectly: "Like you're not really happy but you don't wanna die." This resonates because languishing shows up as brain fog, feeling defeated by small setbacks, struggling with relationships, and a fluctuating sense of self-worth. Unlike depression's persistent hopelessness, languishing feels like losing control of your future. The data is sobering: a Hungarian study found direct correlation between languishing severity and self-harm behaviors. Middle schoolers who languish already skip school and experiment with substances. Loneliness among adolescents has nearly doubled in the past decade.
The Crisis Across Every Generation
Why Connection Matters More Than We Realize
The Science of Functioning Well
What Actually Improves Wellbeing
Building Purpose, Connection, and Play Into Your Life
Your North Star Toward Flourishing
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"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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