#Personalfulfillment

A new study reframes well-being beyond happiness and meaning by introducing psychological richness as a third path. This concept centers on curiosity, variety, and challenging experiences that shift how we see the world, even if they aren’t overtly joyful or purposeful. The idea is drawing global attention and offers fresh angles for Thais seeking personal growth in a fast-changing society.

Traditionally, well-being has been described as hedonic happiness (pleasure) and eudaimonic meaning (purpose). Researchers from a leading Bangkok-area university and a major U.S. institution argue that psychological richness fills an important gap. A Bangkok-area psychologist involved in the work notes that experiences which push our thinking—without necessarily being pleasant—can be transformative. The work, published in Trends in Cognitive Sciences, defines psychological richness as a life filled with diverse experiences that shift perspective. Even everyday moments, such as reading a powerful book, listening to emotionally moving music, or engaging with a new culture, can contribute to richness.

A groundbreaking new study challenges the centuries-old understanding of what it means to live well, suggesting that happiness and meaning are not the only pillars of the “good life.” Instead, researchers have introduced a third dimension—psychological richness—centering on curiosity, variety, and the kind of challenging experiences that transform one’s perspective, even if they are neither pleasurable nor overtly meaningful. This innovative “third path” is now receiving international attention, and its implications resonate deeply with Thai readers seeking new ways to define personal fulfillment in a rapidly changing world.