Most of us will be familiar with the German word ‘schadenfreude’, meaning to take delight in another’s misfortune. With no direct translation, it’s been adopted by other languages such as our own English as speakers are demonstrably familiar with the emotion with no easy way to express it.
But what if we turn it on its head for a more positive reaction: taking joy in another’s success? Yes, there’s a handy term for that too and it’s ‘freudenfreude’, inspired by the German word for joy, ‘freude’.
Look for the good
There are many reasons why cultivating freudenfreude is beneficial for your health and wellbeing.
Continually looking for the good in every situation is a proven way to stay buoyant and chipper. It also improves your resilience. Failed an exam but your friend passed? Being able to celebrate in their success, despite your own disappointment, makes it more likely that you’ll give it another shot.
Not to mention the advantages a positive spin can have on your capacity for empathy and building strong relationships. Freudenfreude may feel difficult to foster at first – especially if you grew up equating winning with self-worth – but it’s so worth practising.
“Continually looking for the good in every situation is a proven way to stay buoyant and chipper.”
Being more aware and mindful of freudenfreude in your life helps you to be more active about it, rather than experiencing it passively as a fleeting emotion.
Engaging your freudenfreude muscle more regularly means you’re more likely to seek it out, going out of your way to help others and share in their joy. That’s the very spirit that forms the foundation of thriving communities, making life better for everyone.
Manifest joy
Freudenfreude also provides a quick route to fulfillment. If you’re currently striving towards a certain goal with slow progress, looking to others who are succeeding and being spurred on by their wins (rather than being envious of them) is a manifestation tool of sorts.
If you can apply another’s happiness to your own situation and visualise it, it can increase the chances of it happening for you too.
“Freudenfreude may feel difficult to foster at first – especially if you grew up equating winning with self-worth – but it’s so worth practising.”
Embrace outdoor living!
Check out our article on the Scandinavian philosophy of outdoor living, known as 'friluftsliv', and find out how it's the secret to a happier, healthier life.
So what are the most effective steps you can take to welcome freudenfreude into your life?
Experts agree on the following approaches: show an active interest in other people’s successes by asking sincere questions and listening to their responses; start viewing individual wins as communal efforts and, in turn, share credit for your own successes; and finally, don’t wait for an opportunity, generate your own joy-sharing conversations today.
Start celebrating other’s triumphs and notice how it raises all of us up.
Celebrate your friend's triumph in a heartfelt card
Whether you want to congratulate a friend on their new job or a loved one on their graduation day, check out our handy guide to what to write in a card for every occasion.
