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    Languishing by Corey Keyes Summary

    Languishing
    Corey Keyes
    3.62 (1086 Reviews)
    PsychologySelf-growthHealth
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    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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    Best quote from Languishing

    “

    Happiness is like a butterfly. If you chase it directly, it will elude you.

    ”
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    Languishing isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Psychology. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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    "Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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    "Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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    1.5K Ratings4.7
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    Celebrities' reading list
    Elon MuskCharlie KirkBill GatesSteve JobsAndrew HubermanJoe RoganJordan Peterson
    Award winning collection
    Pulitzer PrizeNational Book AwardGoodreads Choice AwardsNobel Prize in LiteratureNew York TimesCaldecott MedalNebula Award
    Featured Topics
    ManagementAmerican HistoryWarTradingStoicismAnxietySex
    Best books by Year
    2025 Best Non Fiction Books2024 Best Non Fiction Books2023 Best Non Fiction Books
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    Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieGeorge OrwellO. J. SimpsonBarbara O'NeillWinston ChurchillCharlie Kirk
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    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.

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