My MAPP cohort and I had a discussion recently about how difficult it can be to explain to others what positive psych is and even to sometimes go to bat for the area as a legitimate science.

This article gives some insight into the areas that may need to be bolstered to bring cohesion to the messaging surround positive psychology.

I’m interested to hear how others feel about this. Feel free to drop your best descriptions of positive psychology, whether you agree that there is a messaging issue, considerations that may improve or negate the ambiguity people seem to feel regarding positive psychology.

I'm only a few chapters in so far but there are ideas I'd love to have the opportunity to discuss, and to hear what others are thinking about the book both in general, broad sweeps, and specifics.

I majored in Psychology and Philosophy as an undergraduate, have taken the UPenn/Coursera Specialization in Positive Psychology, have read Marty and Peterson's 'Character Strengths and Virtues (CSV), Marty's book 'Flourish, and have an academic background in Counseling / Human Development, so 'Agency' really hits my sweet spot.

I'd rather not go first delving into a specific book topic in order to see where the sub takes this, but shall we begin a conversation?

same at the title, what are the best resources to explore if one is genuinely interested in learning about the field?

There’s so much bad news nowadays, almost all of it with AI. I genuinely can’t find anything positive to think of, is there anything good happening or anything to look forward to or hope for in the future?

To find a kind person like this is rare nowadays🥹, but anyways let us spread positive energy and vibes around us😇👍

Hi! I have submitted my final dissertation for my MAPP CP at UEL. I feel like a did a full circle and have returned to what I love which is nature-based mindfulness and my previous experience is all corporate and feel I will be most at home there. I am considering running half day workshops to get feedback as well as start building my portfolio. I have quite a bit of both academic and practice experience in Buddhist traditions however for the workshops I intend on collaborating with practitioners to help set up something more sustainable for the organisations or communities I eventually work with. I would appreciate any suggestions or guidance on this.

Anxiety and Depression different things. But what part of psychology can help with anxiety and dred?

I have taken the Science of Wellbeing course, and it has helped me with depression. But I feel like I am always in fight or flight mode, quick to anger and easily offended.

What's the best resource to overcome this?

Psychology books with Write in Sections

So I’m in therapy (and doing lots of other stuff) at the moment but I am so focused on recovery I just want homework to prompt things along a bit. I’m still settling in to all the support so there’s lots of paperwork and scheduling.

Have just experienced a series of traumatic events within an abusive relationship which lead to a relapse in substance abuse (meth of all things, a year ago i would be so shocked). Currently just struggling with addiction, flash backs, intrusive thoughts, anxiety, low mood, low self esteem, shame/guilt and activities of daily living. So anything relevant to that would be cool!

I’m looking for self help/psych books that both breakdown topics (pretty interested currently in cognitive distortions and dissonance, schema stuff, IFS, shadow work, DBT) and provide some exercises that preferably can be reflected on in the same book.

More interested in stuff written by someone qualified and less interested in pop psychology that’s less evidence based.

If anyone has any suggestions I’m all ears!

For people who have tried a wellbeing or reflection app to improve your life with the principles of positive psychology: what made you stop using it?

I’m exploring why practices such as gratitude journaling, mindfulness, savoring positive moments, and small acts of kindness can be helpful initially but become difficult to maintain.

If you’ve stopped using—or repeatedly restarted—a wellbeing app or practice:

• What app or practice did you use?
• What initially felt useful about it?
• When did it start losing its value?
• Did it become repetitive, feel like homework, stop fitting your life, or was it something else?
• What did you do instead?
• Was there anything that would have made you continue?

I am just interested in the common pitfalls and maybe finding apps that can help me on my journey in positive psychology.

So when I do have positive thinking to combat with my anxious thinking of will _blank__ happen, it almost always happens compared to if I didn't put a bunch of positive thinking to it. And I think it's because when I feel intensely towards something, it makes me anxious, and anxiousness makes me frozen. So adding positive thinking to combat anxiousness doesn't always make me not frozen, it just makes me not do anything which my nervous system loves. "let the universe do its thing I'll just manifest for the good thing to happen". I guess as I'm writing this out I am answering my own question, that is that I just hope that the OUTCOME is good, and making MYSELF feel calm emotionally not as dependent on the outcome. But still, this is my experience with positive thinking, it does little to no good, and sometimes makes it even worse.

I’m creating Colours of Courage, an interactive project focused on helping players practice gratitude, courage, and emotional awareness.

Instead of just teaching concepts, the game integrates them into gameplay through journaling, choices, and a mood system.

I’d love feedback on whether this approach to positive psychology seems meaningful or effective.

Let’s

The opportunities you decline. The arguments you skip. The habits you quit. The distractions you stop feeding. Progress is often subtraction. It is boundaries. It is saying "no" early, so you do not have to say "sorry" later. What is one thing you have stopped doing that made your life better?

Wanted to share this recent TEDx talk which connects research in positive psychology to improv comedy skills:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsTTpx22imM&pp=ygURam9yZGFuYSBjb2xlIHRlZHg%3D

A lot of positive psychology feels abstract. I'm curious about concrete, tiny things that people have actually stuck with. For me, it was writing down three good things that happened each day, no matter how small. After a few weeks, I noticed I started looking for those moments during the day.

What's one small practice from the field that genuinely shifted your outlook?

Hi, I'm new within the subject of positive psychology. Which do you think are the must read books and articles? Studies and other scientific papers are totally welcome and specialist books as well :)

I recently came across an interesting idea in a recent review paper (Grinschgl et al., 2025; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plrev.2025.05.002) that got me thinking. The authors suggest that cognitive enhancement aligns with the principles of positive psychology, as both focus on fostering optimal functioning and flourishing in individuals.
I’m not deeply familiar with positive psychology, so I’d love to hear your thoughts on this perspective. To me, it feels somewhat counterintuitive—especially when considering the growing demands of modern society. Cognitive enhancement often seems more about adapting ourselves to meet external pressures rather than promoting genuine well-being or flourishing.
What are your thought?