Beyond the Self: How Collective Struggle Can Redefine Happiness

As we move beyond individualistic and commercialized notions of happiness, a new vision emerges—one rooted in collective care, vulnerability, and social justice. Carl Cederström’s The Happiness Fantasy points toward this hopeful horizon, where happiness is not a solitary achievement but a shared, social process.

The Me Too movement exemplifies this shift, revealing the deep structural violence that underpins many personal struggles and sparking widespread demands for change. These collective actions remind us that healing and happiness require both personal courage and communal solidarity.

Research increasingly supports the importance of social connection and community engagement for well-being. Happiness flourishes in environments where empathy, truth, and mutual support are prioritized over competition and individualism.

This new happiness fantasy challenges us to embrace complexity, acknowledge pain, and commit to justice. It calls for new cultural narratives that honor diversity and foster collective flourishing.

For those seeking meaning beyond consumerism and self-optimization, this vision offers a path toward a more inclusive and transformative happiness.

References: Blinkist summary, Vox.