Welcome back!!! Great first-of-the-year post. I think you nailed it and saved an important aspect for last: “In other words, our emotional wellbeing is influenced by whether we feel supported and safe in our relationships, and whether we have a sense of belonging in the places we spend our time.” This is a huge one!! It means everything. A goal can be to improve our relationships. Peace not war in our personal relationships and in the world!!
I’m really glad that last point landed, relationships and belonging set the tone for everything else. I love your “peace not war” line too, it’s a good intention for the year ahead <3
I’m reminded daily in the hospital where I meet many patients who have no social support because they’re at war with everyone. It’s very sad. The patients who get well and move on and stay out of the hospital have people who care about them.
It’s heartbreaking how quickly isolation becomes part of the illness, not just the background to it. And you’re right Ann, support does not fix everything, but it can be the difference between getting through a crisis and getting stuck in it.
Great article Dom. I’m new to Substack and recently discovered your content.
The piece about being specific with the language we use resonates with me. It is the difference between a wish (generic statements) and actionable actions (specific words). Time for me to reword some of my 2026 intentions… thank you!
Thanks, Martin, and welcome. Your point about the difference between a wish and something you can act on is exactly the kind of precision I was getting at, language does shape what we end up doing. I’m glad the piece helped, and I hope the rewording gives your 2026 intentions a clearer direction :)
When I consider what truly makes the difference in my life, it always comes down to two things: social connections and intellectual connections. For me, these cover both of the areas mentioned in the article perfectly. Socially, that’s my "daily experience" layer; having people to laugh with or vent to is what keeps my mood from remaining "stuck" when things go wrong it’s the ultimate safety net. Intellectually, that’s my "reflection" layer, because if I’m not being challenged or engaging with deep ideas, life begins to feel somewhat aimless. Intellectual connection gives me that sense of coherence and direction the paper discusses.
It turns out that when I’m socially connected and intellectually engaged, the "wellbeing" aspect usually takes care of itself, even on challenging days.
Thanks, Mike, and happy 2026 to you and your family!
I like how you’ve separated it into social connection for the day to day layer and intellectual connection for the reflective layer, it’s a clean fit with the framework.
What you say about laughter, venting, and being challenged captures something important: when those needs are met, wellbeing tends to feel more like a by-product than a target.
Happy new year! This is a great article, and something I got a sense of a month or so ago when doing an exercise my therapist called "the miracle question." Basically, the point was to reflect on what would be different if suddenly, overnight, a "miracle" made life perfect. In doing this, I realized that the big picture stuff (the reflective layer) is great--I wouldn't change much at all. It's the day-to-day (experiential) where I struggle. It was really eye-opening, and as usual your explanation of it has greatly deepened my understanding of both the concept and myself! ✨
Happy new year, Joshua, and thank you for engaging so meaningfully with the post :)
Your example with the miracle question is such a good way of connecting theory with practice, it takes the idea off the page and into real life. The distinction you noticed, that the big picture feels stable while the day to day is where you struggle, is exactly the kind of insight that helps you see what actually needs attention!
Welcome back!!! Great first-of-the-year post. I think you nailed it and saved an important aspect for last: “In other words, our emotional wellbeing is influenced by whether we feel supported and safe in our relationships, and whether we have a sense of belonging in the places we spend our time.” This is a huge one!! It means everything. A goal can be to improve our relationships. Peace not war in our personal relationships and in the world!!
Thanks so much, Ann :)
I’m really glad that last point landed, relationships and belonging set the tone for everything else. I love your “peace not war” line too, it’s a good intention for the year ahead <3
I’m reminded daily in the hospital where I meet many patients who have no social support because they’re at war with everyone. It’s very sad. The patients who get well and move on and stay out of the hospital have people who care about them.
It’s heartbreaking how quickly isolation becomes part of the illness, not just the background to it. And you’re right Ann, support does not fix everything, but it can be the difference between getting through a crisis and getting stuck in it.
Great article Dom. I’m new to Substack and recently discovered your content.
The piece about being specific with the language we use resonates with me. It is the difference between a wish (generic statements) and actionable actions (specific words). Time for me to reword some of my 2026 intentions… thank you!
Thanks, Martin, and welcome. Your point about the difference between a wish and something you can act on is exactly the kind of precision I was getting at, language does shape what we end up doing. I’m glad the piece helped, and I hope the rewording gives your 2026 intentions a clearer direction :)
Best Widbes for 2026 Dom.
When I consider what truly makes the difference in my life, it always comes down to two things: social connections and intellectual connections. For me, these cover both of the areas mentioned in the article perfectly. Socially, that’s my "daily experience" layer; having people to laugh with or vent to is what keeps my mood from remaining "stuck" when things go wrong it’s the ultimate safety net. Intellectually, that’s my "reflection" layer, because if I’m not being challenged or engaging with deep ideas, life begins to feel somewhat aimless. Intellectual connection gives me that sense of coherence and direction the paper discusses.
It turns out that when I’m socially connected and intellectually engaged, the "wellbeing" aspect usually takes care of itself, even on challenging days.
Thanks, Mike, and happy 2026 to you and your family!
I like how you’ve separated it into social connection for the day to day layer and intellectual connection for the reflective layer, it’s a clean fit with the framework.
What you say about laughter, venting, and being challenged captures something important: when those needs are met, wellbeing tends to feel more like a by-product than a target.
All the best!
Happy new year! This is a great article, and something I got a sense of a month or so ago when doing an exercise my therapist called "the miracle question." Basically, the point was to reflect on what would be different if suddenly, overnight, a "miracle" made life perfect. In doing this, I realized that the big picture stuff (the reflective layer) is great--I wouldn't change much at all. It's the day-to-day (experiential) where I struggle. It was really eye-opening, and as usual your explanation of it has greatly deepened my understanding of both the concept and myself! ✨
Happy new year, Joshua, and thank you for engaging so meaningfully with the post :)
Your example with the miracle question is such a good way of connecting theory with practice, it takes the idea off the page and into real life. The distinction you noticed, that the big picture feels stable while the day to day is where you struggle, is exactly the kind of insight that helps you see what actually needs attention!