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From the Principal

Diana Patchett —

Audrey Hepburn said, "The most important thing is to enjoy your life, to be happy; it’s all that matters."

Over the recent term break, I enjoyed the latest book by Paul Dolan, a professor of Behavioural Science at the London School of Economics, ‘Happy Ever After’ (2019). In it, Dolan draws on a range of studies to debunk common myths about what makes us happy. His scientific style may not suit everyone, but he presents compelling counter-evidence to the traditional ‘required’ elements for the perfect life that are passed down by historic social narratives. His research affirms that there are many unexpected and diverse paths to lasting happiness.

Dolan’s first book, ‘Happiness by Design’ (2014) is perhaps more easily accessible as it combines insights from economics and psychology to illustrate that to be happy we must behave happy. Dolan asserts that our happiness is experiences of both pleasure and purpose over time, and this depends on what we pay attention to. The key, therefore, is to nudge our attention to the things in our lives that give us pleasure and purpose. Do that, and we experience happiness. Five key messages of the book can be summarised as:

  1. Being happy means experiencing pleasure and purpose, so get the right balance

  2. You are what you attend to, so pay attention to good stimuli (music, nature) and reduce your attention from bad stimuli (too much social media, news coverage)

  3. Lost happiness is lost forever, so don’t waste precious time

  4. Small changes can have big effects, so spend five minutes more each day outside, or 10 minutes talking to a friend

  5. You are a creature of habit, so shake up your routine to change your behaviour and mindset

This week, St Margaret’s College celebrates Wellbeing Week and shines a spotlight on just some of the many activities that can maintain and improve our physical, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Wellbeing Prefects, Harriet Kennelly and Olivia Willems, and their Wellbeing Committee members, dotted affirmations around the College to ensure everyone on campus was treated to a positive message as part of their day. This was followed by yoga and smoothie bowl-making workshops, a Teddy Bear’s Picnic, special Chapel and Assembly messages, and the ever-popular visit of food trucks to cap off the week. There has been something for everyone to add to their personal suite of strategies to enhance their own wellbeing.

We will continue to make the wellbeing of our girls an imperative at St Margaret’s College, and educate them to the power and responsibility they have to look after their own happiness. If we are successful, we will have indeed empowered them to live and lead.