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Психологически насыщенная жизнь. Почему трудности делают жизнь по-настоящему богатой
Книга о том, как чувствовать удовлетворение от жизни, не зацикливаясь на поиске счастья.
Стремясь к счастью, мы добиваемся успехов — продвижения на работе, повышения статуса и роста дохода. Но вдруг обнаруживаем, что радости нет, жизнь вроде удалась, но не вполне. Почему? Психолог Сигехиро Оиси провел масштабное исследование, изучив сотни историй обычных и известных людей, и выяснил: внешний успех не дает настоящего удовлетворения. Только насыщая жизнь опытом, впечатлениями, глубиной их проживания, можно почувствовать себя по-настоящему состоявшимся.
Его книга, вошедшая в список Next Big Idea Club, переворачивает привычные представления о благополучии и предлагает алn
Стремясь к счастью, мы добиваемся успехов — продвижения на работе, повышения статуса и роста дохода. Но вдруг обнаруживаем, что радости нет, жизнь вроде удалась, но не вполне. Почему? Психолог Сигехиро Оиси провел масштабное исследование, изучив сотни историй обычных и известных людей, и выяснил: внешний успех не дает настоящего удовлетворения. Только насыщая жизнь опытом, впечатлениями, глубиной их проживания, можно почувствовать себя по-настоящему состоявшимся.
Его книга, вошедшая в список Next Big Idea Club, переворачивает привычные представления о благополучии и предлагает алn
297 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
February 10, 2025
Definitely one to re-read and refer back to for more inspiration!
I was able to finish this in 6 days at a leisurely pace and never felt like I was being lectured despite acquiring so much new information within this little time.
The dots are all connected for you, making this an easy-to-digest book. By "dots," I mean cultural references, research, and the author's anecdotes, which all flow into each other well. There is enough warmth and personal touch in this to not feel overwhelmed by the number of approaches to a better, fuller life that are presented throughout.
I would imagine a reader of any age could benefit from reading Life in Three Dimensions, as it is well-researched and non-judgemental. It doesn't feel as if you're being told what not to do, but instead, you are given several options for adding more to the path you're already on in life.
To get the full benefit of this book, I will refer to the notes for future books to read, movies to watch, and people to be familiar with.
Thank you, Doubleday Books, for the gifted copy.
I was able to finish this in 6 days at a leisurely pace and never felt like I was being lectured despite acquiring so much new information within this little time.
The dots are all connected for you, making this an easy-to-digest book. By "dots," I mean cultural references, research, and the author's anecdotes, which all flow into each other well. There is enough warmth and personal touch in this to not feel overwhelmed by the number of approaches to a better, fuller life that are presented throughout.
I would imagine a reader of any age could benefit from reading Life in Three Dimensions, as it is well-researched and non-judgemental. It doesn't feel as if you're being told what not to do, but instead, you are given several options for adding more to the path you're already on in life.
To get the full benefit of this book, I will refer to the notes for future books to read, movies to watch, and people to be familiar with.
Thank you, Doubleday Books, for the gifted copy.
August 12, 2025
Shigehiro Oishi is a Japanese-born psychologist and professor of psychology at the University of Chicago whose research focuses on happiness, meaning, and culture. His 2025 book Life in Three Dimensions takes findings from his own research with pairs them with the broader psychology literature to examine how taking less conventional paths and seeking out varied experiences can create psychological richness, which he feels is a key element of meaningful lives.
Oishi begins by contrasting his life path with those of his father, grandfather, and ancestors further back -- he took the metaphorical and less safe "road less traveled" when he left Japan for the US to pursue an academic career while they all stayed put in Japan. But did this path make his life happier or give it more meaning than theirs? (As a semi-aside, apparently this famous Robert Frost poem isn't necessarily glamorizing taking the road less traveled, but more subtly mocking people who assign undue significance to arbitrary decisions...which ties back to the conclusions of this book, in that it's less about which metaphorical/actual road you take, but the inner self-growth that you pursue regardless of your outward path.)
Oishis' book pairs research-backed insights with personal anecdotes, such as Oishi and his wife’s ill-fated attempt to save money by building their own deck, which (unsurprisingly) turned out to be a physically punishing and more expensive endeavor than hiring contractors, but ultimately one he valued for the memories and story it produced. That theme - embracing even imperfect or failed ventures for their experiential value - runs throughout.
Using the OCEAN model of personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism), Oishi's research found that people who score highly in openness and extraversion seem most primed for having meaningful and rich life experiences (I was reminded of Rick Steves' recent book On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer, as he seems to have both of those traits in spades). I consider myself high in openness but low in extraversion (and high in conscientiousness, low/medium in agreeableness, and medium in neuroticism), and anecdotally I can confirm that many of my most meaningful experiential memories tend to be ones where I leaned into both my naturally high openness and forced myself out of my comfort zone to be extraverted.
This was an interesting read -- nothing too groundbreaking if you've read other studies on happiness and meaningful lives, but still a nice addition to a series of books by academic researchers aimed at popular psychology audiences.
Further reading:
Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study by George Vaillant and The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (books that've come out of the long-running and still-ongoing Harvard Study of Adult Development)
The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50 by Jonathan Rauch
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur Brooks (as well as his other books)
(and at the risk of being clichéd, memoirs like The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger and Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl)
Book 251 for 2025
Book 2177 cumulatively
Oishi begins by contrasting his life path with those of his father, grandfather, and ancestors further back -- he took the metaphorical and less safe "road less traveled" when he left Japan for the US to pursue an academic career while they all stayed put in Japan. But did this path make his life happier or give it more meaning than theirs? (As a semi-aside, apparently this famous Robert Frost poem isn't necessarily glamorizing taking the road less traveled, but more subtly mocking people who assign undue significance to arbitrary decisions...which ties back to the conclusions of this book, in that it's less about which metaphorical/actual road you take, but the inner self-growth that you pursue regardless of your outward path.)
Oishis' book pairs research-backed insights with personal anecdotes, such as Oishi and his wife’s ill-fated attempt to save money by building their own deck, which (unsurprisingly) turned out to be a physically punishing and more expensive endeavor than hiring contractors, but ultimately one he valued for the memories and story it produced. That theme - embracing even imperfect or failed ventures for their experiential value - runs throughout.
Using the OCEAN model of personality traits (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism), Oishi's research found that people who score highly in openness and extraversion seem most primed for having meaningful and rich life experiences (I was reminded of Rick Steves' recent book On the Hippie Trail: Istanbul to Kathmandu and the Making of a Travel Writer, as he seems to have both of those traits in spades). I consider myself high in openness but low in extraversion (and high in conscientiousness, low/medium in agreeableness, and medium in neuroticism), and anecdotally I can confirm that many of my most meaningful experiential memories tend to be ones where I leaned into both my naturally high openness and forced myself out of my comfort zone to be extraverted.
This was an interesting read -- nothing too groundbreaking if you've read other studies on happiness and meaningful lives, but still a nice addition to a series of books by academic researchers aimed at popular psychology audiences.
Further reading:
Triumphs of Experience: The Men of the Harvard Grant Study by George Vaillant and The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness by Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz (books that've come out of the long-running and still-ongoing Harvard Study of Adult Development)
The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50 by Jonathan Rauch
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur Brooks (as well as his other books)
(and at the risk of being clichéd, memoirs like The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Edith Eger and Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl)
Book 251 for 2025
Book 2177 cumulatively
August 3, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life
by Shigehiro Oishi
A trailblazing, mind-expanding take on what it truly means to live well.
In Life in Three Dimensions, Shigehiro Oishi challenges the conventional wisdom that a good life must be either happy or meaningful. Instead, he introduces a bold third dimension—psychological richness—defined by curiosity, exploration, and varied experiences. And it’s a revelation.
Drawing on decades of psychological research, personal stories, and vivid examples from literature and pop culture, Oishi builds a compelling case for why embracing uncertainty, novelty, and even discomfort can lead to deeper fulfillment and fewer regrets. Rather than prescribing a single path, he invites readers to reflect on what kind of richness their own lives might be missing—and how to find it.
This book is intellectually rigorous but never dry, philosophical but always accessible. Oishi writes with warmth, clarity, and infectious enthusiasm, offering readers a new lens through which to view their past, present, and future.
If you've ever questioned the pursuit of constant happiness or felt boxed in by the pressure to live a life of singular purpose, Life in Three Dimensions will resonate deeply. It’s a liberating, perspective-shifting read—and one of the most insightful books I’ve picked up in years.
Highly recommended for fans of psychology, personal growth, and anyone ready to live a little more boldly.
Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life
by Shigehiro Oishi
A trailblazing, mind-expanding take on what it truly means to live well.
In Life in Three Dimensions, Shigehiro Oishi challenges the conventional wisdom that a good life must be either happy or meaningful. Instead, he introduces a bold third dimension—psychological richness—defined by curiosity, exploration, and varied experiences. And it’s a revelation.
Drawing on decades of psychological research, personal stories, and vivid examples from literature and pop culture, Oishi builds a compelling case for why embracing uncertainty, novelty, and even discomfort can lead to deeper fulfillment and fewer regrets. Rather than prescribing a single path, he invites readers to reflect on what kind of richness their own lives might be missing—and how to find it.
This book is intellectually rigorous but never dry, philosophical but always accessible. Oishi writes with warmth, clarity, and infectious enthusiasm, offering readers a new lens through which to view their past, present, and future.
If you've ever questioned the pursuit of constant happiness or felt boxed in by the pressure to live a life of singular purpose, Life in Three Dimensions will resonate deeply. It’s a liberating, perspective-shifting read—and one of the most insightful books I’ve picked up in years.
Highly recommended for fans of psychology, personal growth, and anyone ready to live a little more boldly.
February 3, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. The concepts of happiness and psychological richness were great to read about. I hadn’t thought about these concepts in this way before. By the end of the book I came to understand that a psychologically rich life will be different for everyone, but it’s all in the way we look at our lives and figuring out a rich and happy life doesn’t have to be perfect. One of the most fascinating things to think about was the concept of What is a good vacation? Everyone would think about this differently. This is a question that has come up in my life recently and helped me think about what this means for me.
Thank you to Shige Oishi, NetGalley and Double Day Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
Thank you to Shige Oishi, NetGalley and Double Day Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date: February 4, 2025
February 26, 2026
2026 reads, #11. I’ve struggled my entire life with trying to explain my priorities and interests to other people -- how what I love more than anything else is learning something new; how I have very little interest in the domestic details that make up most other people’s lives (the marriage, the house, the kids, the office job, etc.); how as an existentialist, I don’t believe that human life inherently has a sense of meaning or purpose, but how this is something our overly big, overly clever brains invent because of most people’s sheer terror about thinking of their upcoming death. So thank God, then, that the world now has Life in Three Dimensions, the brand-new book by Shigehiro Oishi, a professor at the University of Chicago in the Hyde Park neighborhood where I live as well.
A wellness expert for decades now, he explains in the introduction that he and his colleagues have been debating for decades over whether a “good life” is best defined as one devoted to happiness, or one devoted to meaningfulness and purpose; but that the more work he does on this subject, the more he’s been coming to realize that the true answer is neither, but rather the best kind of life is the one devoted to “psychological richness.” It’s worth quoting his entire long definition of the term, because it so eerily and exactly describes the kind of life I’ve been living for an entire half a century now:
"A psychologically rich life is a life filled with diverse, unusual, interesting experiences that change your perspective; a life with twists and turns; a dramatic, eventful life instead of a simple and straightforward one; a life with multiplicity and complexity; a life with lots of stops, detours, and turning points; a life that feels like a long, winding hike rather than many laps of the same racing circuit."
In other words -- and I feel this is one of the most important things to understand about this subject, which is why I emphasize it -- a psychologically rich life is not necessarily one always filled with happiness, but rather that the unpleasant and painful experiences in life (which can be quite intense for a psychologically rich person) always teach a lesson that makes you a better person afterwards. As Oishi meticulously details here, both the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of meaning contain all kinds of hidden traps that can backfire and actually make your life a lot worse; it’s when you devote your life to curiosity, exploration, and a diversity of experiences (both good and bad) that you build a solid, unshakeable foundation for mental, emotional, and social health. That’s welcome news to people like me, who have been pursuing this on their own but have never had a term before to call it, and who spend their lives fending off all the normals who are constantly trying to bring us down to their level of boring, complacent pleasantness with their well-meaning but exhausting exhortations of, “When are you going to get married, get a real job, and settle down already?”
In fact, there’s really only one problem with this book, but unfortunately it’s a major one, a big enough problem to knock an entire star off my score; that just like 95% of all other contemporary nonfiction books, Oishi really only has about one magazine article’s worth of actual interesting information here, and so pads out the rest of this 250-page book with endless anecdotes and case studies about people in the real world who embody each of the points he’s trying to make. The book is still absolutely worth your time -- out of approximately 6,000 books I’ve now read over the course of my life, this is literally the only one of them all I’ve ever come across that discusses this issue, and does it with a lot of intelligence and humor at that -- but let me also admit that you really only need to read the first five chapters (including the introduction to this subject, a chapter on the perils of a life devoted to happiness, a chapter on the perils of a life devoted to meaning and purpose, and two chapters explaining in detail what a psychologically rich life actually looks like), while everything else in the book is merely a more detailed look at each of the topics he brings up in these beginning chapters (plus an academic notes section that’s literally one-half of the entire page count, meaning that this 250-page book only contains 125 pages of content to begin with, and only 40 pages of which I actively recommend you read). Those 40 pages are amazing, and I strongly recommend that each and every one of you read them; but consider this review my official permission for you to skip everything else.
A wellness expert for decades now, he explains in the introduction that he and his colleagues have been debating for decades over whether a “good life” is best defined as one devoted to happiness, or one devoted to meaningfulness and purpose; but that the more work he does on this subject, the more he’s been coming to realize that the true answer is neither, but rather the best kind of life is the one devoted to “psychological richness.” It’s worth quoting his entire long definition of the term, because it so eerily and exactly describes the kind of life I’ve been living for an entire half a century now:
"A psychologically rich life is a life filled with diverse, unusual, interesting experiences that change your perspective; a life with twists and turns; a dramatic, eventful life instead of a simple and straightforward one; a life with multiplicity and complexity; a life with lots of stops, detours, and turning points; a life that feels like a long, winding hike rather than many laps of the same racing circuit."
In other words -- and I feel this is one of the most important things to understand about this subject, which is why I emphasize it -- a psychologically rich life is not necessarily one always filled with happiness, but rather that the unpleasant and painful experiences in life (which can be quite intense for a psychologically rich person) always teach a lesson that makes you a better person afterwards. As Oishi meticulously details here, both the pursuit of happiness and the pursuit of meaning contain all kinds of hidden traps that can backfire and actually make your life a lot worse; it’s when you devote your life to curiosity, exploration, and a diversity of experiences (both good and bad) that you build a solid, unshakeable foundation for mental, emotional, and social health. That’s welcome news to people like me, who have been pursuing this on their own but have never had a term before to call it, and who spend their lives fending off all the normals who are constantly trying to bring us down to their level of boring, complacent pleasantness with their well-meaning but exhausting exhortations of, “When are you going to get married, get a real job, and settle down already?”
In fact, there’s really only one problem with this book, but unfortunately it’s a major one, a big enough problem to knock an entire star off my score; that just like 95% of all other contemporary nonfiction books, Oishi really only has about one magazine article’s worth of actual interesting information here, and so pads out the rest of this 250-page book with endless anecdotes and case studies about people in the real world who embody each of the points he’s trying to make. The book is still absolutely worth your time -- out of approximately 6,000 books I’ve now read over the course of my life, this is literally the only one of them all I’ve ever come across that discusses this issue, and does it with a lot of intelligence and humor at that -- but let me also admit that you really only need to read the first five chapters (including the introduction to this subject, a chapter on the perils of a life devoted to happiness, a chapter on the perils of a life devoted to meaning and purpose, and two chapters explaining in detail what a psychologically rich life actually looks like), while everything else in the book is merely a more detailed look at each of the topics he brings up in these beginning chapters (plus an academic notes section that’s literally one-half of the entire page count, meaning that this 250-page book only contains 125 pages of content to begin with, and only 40 pages of which I actively recommend you read). Those 40 pages are amazing, and I strongly recommend that each and every one of you read them; but consider this review my official permission for you to skip everything else.
May 2, 2025
3/5
I'm not quite sure how to capture my feelings about this book. I think the information that Oishi shares could have a profound impact on people and I appreciate his blend of philosophy, research, and personal experience. Despite all of this, I found this book a little boring. It may have been more engaging to read physically but I found my interest sliding away when I was trying to listen to it. There were a few times that Oishi made claims that I just don't agree with, particularly around introversion, which did not help my reading experience. I think my real positive takeaway from the book is the difference between happiness, psychological richness, and a meaningful life. I also appreciated that he touches on the fact that sad and frustrating situations are key to leading a psychologically rich life. What I feel like the book was missing were more concrete ways that the reader can pivot their life to find what would create psychological richness for them. He does a good job of making it clear that this will depend on the reader but I left the book feeling like I wasn't sure what to do if I was interested in introspection and figuring out what steps I could take to discover what psychologically rich means for me as an individual. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in psychology and delving into what a psychologically rich life entails. I would be interested to know if there is a more step-by-step book that could be paired with this one to provide the concrete steps that I felt this book was lacking. I do think it is an important and interesting book but I don't think that I am the right audience for it.
I'm not quite sure how to capture my feelings about this book. I think the information that Oishi shares could have a profound impact on people and I appreciate his blend of philosophy, research, and personal experience. Despite all of this, I found this book a little boring. It may have been more engaging to read physically but I found my interest sliding away when I was trying to listen to it. There were a few times that Oishi made claims that I just don't agree with, particularly around introversion, which did not help my reading experience. I think my real positive takeaway from the book is the difference between happiness, psychological richness, and a meaningful life. I also appreciated that he touches on the fact that sad and frustrating situations are key to leading a psychologically rich life. What I feel like the book was missing were more concrete ways that the reader can pivot their life to find what would create psychological richness for them. He does a good job of making it clear that this will depend on the reader but I left the book feeling like I wasn't sure what to do if I was interested in introspection and figuring out what steps I could take to discover what psychologically rich means for me as an individual. I would recommend this book to people who are interested in psychology and delving into what a psychologically rich life entails. I would be interested to know if there is a more step-by-step book that could be paired with this one to provide the concrete steps that I felt this book was lacking. I do think it is an important and interesting book but I don't think that I am the right audience for it.
March 29, 2025
I borrowed this from the library and took so many photos of passages that resonated with me that I’m going to buy myself a copy!
The title describes the concept: that a “better” life has happiness, meaning, and is psychologically rich. The book focuses on the last part, explaining what psychological richness is (essentially, new experiences) and why it’s important.
He writes about why some people are driven to seek these experiences and why some aren’t. He shares a lot of research as well as anecdotal stories about famous people to illustrate his points. It’s not just about “fun” experiences either (like traveling) but how new, different, sometimes challenging experiences are those that enrich our lives.
I have always been a seeker of new experiences and really enjoyed reading about the science behind that inkling. I am looking forward to keeping this on my shelf and sharing with anyone feeling stuck, or lost, or wondering what they really want to do with their life.
The title describes the concept: that a “better” life has happiness, meaning, and is psychologically rich. The book focuses on the last part, explaining what psychological richness is (essentially, new experiences) and why it’s important.
He writes about why some people are driven to seek these experiences and why some aren’t. He shares a lot of research as well as anecdotal stories about famous people to illustrate his points. It’s not just about “fun” experiences either (like traveling) but how new, different, sometimes challenging experiences are those that enrich our lives.
I have always been a seeker of new experiences and really enjoyed reading about the science behind that inkling. I am looking forward to keeping this on my shelf and sharing with anyone feeling stuck, or lost, or wondering what they really want to do with their life.
April 10, 2025
I would love to sit through this professors course.
How to live a physiologically rich life.
Don’t specialize be a generalist. Don’t be afraid of negative events. Stay uncomfortable. Be playful.
Enjoyed
How to live a physiologically rich life.
Don’t specialize be a generalist. Don’t be afraid of negative events. Stay uncomfortable. Be playful.
Enjoyed
July 28, 2026
This book was incredibly thought provoking and inspiring! The concepts were easy to grasp and apply. Looking forward to using them in my life!
Read
March 24, 2026great read for the true #livers and #experiencehavers out there
July 25, 2026
Interesting premise for this book, proposing a third measure (in addition to happiness and life of meaning) for defining a successful life. The author proposes a psychologically rich life created through diverse experiences and exploration.
January 31, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
The author Shigehiro Oishi has done a wonderful job of breaking down the enigma of 'a good life' into simple and easily understandable concepts with clear examples for each. The hypothesis laid out at the outset of this book is that a good life could be one that is (a) a happy life, (b) a meaningful life, (c) one with rich psychological experiences or a combination of all three of the above. Oishi has referenced a few of the all time classics like Herman Hesse's novels and 'A Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley to elicit the fact that an exploratory life is the one worth living, even at the cost of uncertainties and highs & lows in life. At certain portions, I felt this book was more like an academic paper with all the arbitrariness included, instead of it being a book purporting a clearly postulated concept. Also, the concepts got repeated quite a bit, but this may have been intentional. Overall, an interesting book that along with the insights also helps the reader appreciate other works of literature better.
The author Shigehiro Oishi has done a wonderful job of breaking down the enigma of 'a good life' into simple and easily understandable concepts with clear examples for each. The hypothesis laid out at the outset of this book is that a good life could be one that is (a) a happy life, (b) a meaningful life, (c) one with rich psychological experiences or a combination of all three of the above. Oishi has referenced a few of the all time classics like Herman Hesse's novels and 'A Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley to elicit the fact that an exploratory life is the one worth living, even at the cost of uncertainties and highs & lows in life. At certain portions, I felt this book was more like an academic paper with all the arbitrariness included, instead of it being a book purporting a clearly postulated concept. Also, the concepts got repeated quite a bit, but this may have been intentional. Overall, an interesting book that along with the insights also helps the reader appreciate other works of literature better.
February 8, 2025
The author blends psychological knowledge, philosophical discussion and his personal experience in the book and is genuine with the readers. The book contains interesting and relatable stories and it feels very easy to follow the flow and finish the book quickly. Recommend for everyone who wants to learn more about psychology in an engaging way!
June 3, 2026
i learned nothing
June 10, 2026
Thought provoking!
June 7, 2025
I really love the concept behind this book. The idea of living a psychologically rich life is fascinating, and you can clearly tell the author is passionate about the topic. It’s well researched and filled with plenty of thought provoking insights. I definitely came away with a few ideas that made me pause and reflect and as a non fiction reader who likes to take notes, there was a lot here to engage with.
That said, I found the book hard to get through at times. It leans heavily on multiple stories and case studies, which began to feel repetitive and somewhat long winded. The pacing dragged for me and it took me a while to finish, partly because I needed breaks between sections to absorb everything.
The book explores three different ways to live a good life which are through happiness, meaning or psychological richness. I appreciated that the author presents them as equally valid, but it did feel like the majority of the book was trying to advocate psychological richness as the superior path. That made the overall message feel slightly contradictory and uneven.
Still, there are definitely good ideas in here, and if you're someone interested in life philosophy or self reflection, this book offers a refreshing take. I just wish it had been more concise and clearer in its direction.
That said, I found the book hard to get through at times. It leans heavily on multiple stories and case studies, which began to feel repetitive and somewhat long winded. The pacing dragged for me and it took me a while to finish, partly because I needed breaks between sections to absorb everything.
The book explores three different ways to live a good life which are through happiness, meaning or psychological richness. I appreciated that the author presents them as equally valid, but it did feel like the majority of the book was trying to advocate psychological richness as the superior path. That made the overall message feel slightly contradictory and uneven.
Still, there are definitely good ideas in here, and if you're someone interested in life philosophy or self reflection, this book offers a refreshing take. I just wish it had been more concise and clearer in its direction.
December 11, 2025
There are two common approaches to living: a happy life and a meaningful life. The author introduces a third concept called a psychologically rich life and examines all three. However, the explanation lacks clarity and relevance in many sections, and there is little cohesion. It felt more like a collection of facts and copied research studies rather than a coherent argument.
Read
April 26, 2025What truly makes a life worth living? For years, psychologists believed the secret was balancing two major components: happiness and meaning. The common wisdom suggested that if you could feel good and find purpose, you would have everything you needed. However, recent research suggests there is a third, often overlooked element: psychological richness. This dimension moves beyond the comfort of happiness and the dedication of meaning. It involves the curiosity-driven exploration and unexpected experiences that add complexity, color, and depth to our lives. In "Life in Three Dimensions", Shigehiro Oishi invites readers to look beyond traditional ideas of fulfillment, suggesting that embracing psychological richness could lead to a life not just of joy or purpose, but of profound fullness.
To illustrate the different paths a life can take, Oishi shares the story of a father and son. The father, deeply rooted in a small mountain town in Japan, lived a life of stability, working the same land as his ancestors, marrying young, and raising a family in the place he was born. In contrast, his son left home at eighteen, studied in Tokyo and abroad, moved across cities in America, and built a life full of change, challenge, and novelty. Their different choices raise the question: who among them is happier? Before answering, Oishi asks readers to consider the broader factors that contribute to a fulfilling life.
For decades, the fields of psychology and cognitive science have explored the nature of happiness. They typically identify two main routes. The first is the hedonic approach, which focuses on pursuing pleasure and personal joy. This path emphasizes doing what brings immediate satisfaction—whether that’s finding a rewarding job, nurturing enjoyable relationships, or chasing dreams like travel or creative pursuits. The second is the eudaimonic approach, rooted in meaning. It prioritizes actions that serve a higher purpose, whether through professional dedication, community service, or commitment to family and values. People following this path may sacrifice personal pleasures for the sake of contributing to something larger than themselves.
Yet, focusing solely on either happiness or meaning has its pitfalls. The pursuit of happiness can become a trap when individuals pressure themselves to constantly feel good. Life naturally involves frustration, sadness, and setbacks. Ironically, chasing happiness too directly can backfire, leading to anxiety when negative emotions inevitably appear. In response, people often seek immediate mood fixes, sometimes through unhealthy coping strategies, rather than letting their innate emotional resilience work. Furthermore, Western cultures promote the idea that success and achievement bring happiness. But in reality, the emotional high of accomplishments fades quickly, often leaving people feeling empty or disconnected. True and lasting happiness, research finds, is rooted not in achievements but in strong, supportive relationships.
Similarly, the pursuit of meaning alone carries risks. Philosophers and cultural icons have often emphasized the nobility of living for a greater cause. However, measuring one's worth solely by grand contributions can create unrealistic expectations. Legendary figures like Steve Jobs and Gustave Flaubert left lasting legacies, but trying to match their monumental impact can set most people up for feelings of inadequacy. Meaning is deeply subjective, and often it’s the seemingly small, everyday roles—like the NASA janitor who saw himself as helping put a man on the moon—that bring profound satisfaction. The danger lies in overlooking the small joys and connections in favor of chasing extraordinary purpose, which may ultimately lead to burnout or isolation.
Reflecting on the lives of the father and son, Oishi shows that while both found elements of happiness and meaning, each emphasized one more than the other. The father’s life was primarily built around stability, family, and tradition—deeply meaningful pillars. The son’s life leaned toward seeking personal happiness through exploration, career, and varied relationships. But labeling one path as better misses an important point: there is more to life than just happiness or meaning. A growing body of research suggests that psychological richness is the third, vital dimension often overlooked.
Psychological richness refers to lives filled with interesting, novel, and perspective-changing experiences. These experiences might include studying abroad, learning a difficult new skill, or undergoing life-changing challenges like illness or recovery. People who naturally gravitate toward a psychologically rich life tend to have certain personality traits. The Big Five personality framework, developed in the 1930s, highlights five core traits: Extraversion, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness to Experience. Among these, Openness and Extraversion are especially important for psychological richness. Those high in Openness are naturally curious and eager for new experiences, while those high in Extraversion are more inclined to seek out diverse social connections. Together, these traits create a cycle where exposure to new ideas and people leads to even greater openness and curiosity.
Still, even people who aren't naturally open or extroverted can cultivate psychological richness. The key is to make small changes that invite novelty into everyday life. Embracing spontaneity—such as taking an unplanned detour, saying yes to an unexpected invitation, or breaking from a rigid schedule—creates opportunities for unexpected discoveries. Engaging in playful activities without a specific goal, whether that's creative hobbies or unstructured leisure time, encourages mental flexibility. Lastly, taking small risks, like trying new foods or exploring unfamiliar places, adds texture to life without requiring major upheaval.
Interestingly, even adversity can contribute to psychological richness. Challenging events often bring fresh perspectives, deeper relationships, and new priorities. Stories from disaster survivors, like those of Hurricane Sandy or the Kobe earthquake, demonstrate that hardship, while painful, can ultimately enrich people's lives by strengthening bonds and shifting worldviews. However, whether adversity transforms or simply harms depends largely on the narratives people construct around their experiences. Those who are able to find meaning, growth, or renewed purpose in difficult times tend to emerge with a greater sense of psychological richness.
Ultimately, returning to the story of the father and son, Oishi reveals that he himself is the son in the story. His life's exploration of happiness, meaning, and psychological richness was inspired by comparing his own path to that of his father. Through his research, he realized that the better question isn’t which life is better or happier, but how we can blend happiness, meaning, and richness together.
In conclusion, "Life in Three Dimensions" offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to live well. It challenges the traditional two-dimensional model of happiness and meaning, arguing that psychological richness adds an essential third layer. A life filled with interesting, challenging, and perspective-expanding experiences—whether born from intention or hardship—can lead to deeper fulfillment. By embracing small adventures, cultivating curiosity, and weaving diverse experiences into our everyday lives, we can craft a life that isn’t merely good but truly vibrant and multidimensional. In doing so, we don’t have to choose between happiness, meaning, or richness; we can experience the beauty of living in all three dimensions at once.
To illustrate the different paths a life can take, Oishi shares the story of a father and son. The father, deeply rooted in a small mountain town in Japan, lived a life of stability, working the same land as his ancestors, marrying young, and raising a family in the place he was born. In contrast, his son left home at eighteen, studied in Tokyo and abroad, moved across cities in America, and built a life full of change, challenge, and novelty. Their different choices raise the question: who among them is happier? Before answering, Oishi asks readers to consider the broader factors that contribute to a fulfilling life.
For decades, the fields of psychology and cognitive science have explored the nature of happiness. They typically identify two main routes. The first is the hedonic approach, which focuses on pursuing pleasure and personal joy. This path emphasizes doing what brings immediate satisfaction—whether that’s finding a rewarding job, nurturing enjoyable relationships, or chasing dreams like travel or creative pursuits. The second is the eudaimonic approach, rooted in meaning. It prioritizes actions that serve a higher purpose, whether through professional dedication, community service, or commitment to family and values. People following this path may sacrifice personal pleasures for the sake of contributing to something larger than themselves.
Yet, focusing solely on either happiness or meaning has its pitfalls. The pursuit of happiness can become a trap when individuals pressure themselves to constantly feel good. Life naturally involves frustration, sadness, and setbacks. Ironically, chasing happiness too directly can backfire, leading to anxiety when negative emotions inevitably appear. In response, people often seek immediate mood fixes, sometimes through unhealthy coping strategies, rather than letting their innate emotional resilience work. Furthermore, Western cultures promote the idea that success and achievement bring happiness. But in reality, the emotional high of accomplishments fades quickly, often leaving people feeling empty or disconnected. True and lasting happiness, research finds, is rooted not in achievements but in strong, supportive relationships.
Similarly, the pursuit of meaning alone carries risks. Philosophers and cultural icons have often emphasized the nobility of living for a greater cause. However, measuring one's worth solely by grand contributions can create unrealistic expectations. Legendary figures like Steve Jobs and Gustave Flaubert left lasting legacies, but trying to match their monumental impact can set most people up for feelings of inadequacy. Meaning is deeply subjective, and often it’s the seemingly small, everyday roles—like the NASA janitor who saw himself as helping put a man on the moon—that bring profound satisfaction. The danger lies in overlooking the small joys and connections in favor of chasing extraordinary purpose, which may ultimately lead to burnout or isolation.
Reflecting on the lives of the father and son, Oishi shows that while both found elements of happiness and meaning, each emphasized one more than the other. The father’s life was primarily built around stability, family, and tradition—deeply meaningful pillars. The son’s life leaned toward seeking personal happiness through exploration, career, and varied relationships. But labeling one path as better misses an important point: there is more to life than just happiness or meaning. A growing body of research suggests that psychological richness is the third, vital dimension often overlooked.
Psychological richness refers to lives filled with interesting, novel, and perspective-changing experiences. These experiences might include studying abroad, learning a difficult new skill, or undergoing life-changing challenges like illness or recovery. People who naturally gravitate toward a psychologically rich life tend to have certain personality traits. The Big Five personality framework, developed in the 1930s, highlights five core traits: Extraversion, Neuroticism, Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Openness to Experience. Among these, Openness and Extraversion are especially important for psychological richness. Those high in Openness are naturally curious and eager for new experiences, while those high in Extraversion are more inclined to seek out diverse social connections. Together, these traits create a cycle where exposure to new ideas and people leads to even greater openness and curiosity.
Still, even people who aren't naturally open or extroverted can cultivate psychological richness. The key is to make small changes that invite novelty into everyday life. Embracing spontaneity—such as taking an unplanned detour, saying yes to an unexpected invitation, or breaking from a rigid schedule—creates opportunities for unexpected discoveries. Engaging in playful activities without a specific goal, whether that's creative hobbies or unstructured leisure time, encourages mental flexibility. Lastly, taking small risks, like trying new foods or exploring unfamiliar places, adds texture to life without requiring major upheaval.
Interestingly, even adversity can contribute to psychological richness. Challenging events often bring fresh perspectives, deeper relationships, and new priorities. Stories from disaster survivors, like those of Hurricane Sandy or the Kobe earthquake, demonstrate that hardship, while painful, can ultimately enrich people's lives by strengthening bonds and shifting worldviews. However, whether adversity transforms or simply harms depends largely on the narratives people construct around their experiences. Those who are able to find meaning, growth, or renewed purpose in difficult times tend to emerge with a greater sense of psychological richness.
Ultimately, returning to the story of the father and son, Oishi reveals that he himself is the son in the story. His life's exploration of happiness, meaning, and psychological richness was inspired by comparing his own path to that of his father. Through his research, he realized that the better question isn’t which life is better or happier, but how we can blend happiness, meaning, and richness together.
In conclusion, "Life in Three Dimensions" offers a refreshing perspective on what it means to live well. It challenges the traditional two-dimensional model of happiness and meaning, arguing that psychological richness adds an essential third layer. A life filled with interesting, challenging, and perspective-expanding experiences—whether born from intention or hardship—can lead to deeper fulfillment. By embracing small adventures, cultivating curiosity, and weaving diverse experiences into our everyday lives, we can craft a life that isn’t merely good but truly vibrant and multidimensional. In doing so, we don’t have to choose between happiness, meaning, or richness; we can experience the beauty of living in all three dimensions at once.
January 14, 2026
James recommended this book to me because I always talk about how I feel like I have a void that I need to fill with creativity or art or something novel. And he said maybe this book would help to put a name to what I’m feeling.
The book talks about how one might live a “good life”. And though often a good life is characterized as a happy and/or meaningful life, there is a third dimension that rounds out a good life and that is psychological richness. It involves novel experiences, opportunities for perspective changes. Not necessarily happy or good experiences but things that you would include in your life story that help explain why you see the world the way you do.
I liked a lot of points the book made. Besides the obvious (go out and do more stuff that makes you uncomfortable) they offer research backed ways to make you feel more psychologically rich. Movies, books, literature all help. Even just “rewriting” your already written past helps your perception of richness in your life. I liked that point quite a lot. Richness means nothing if you can’t remember your experiences, so rewrite or simply just write your experiences so they are memorable. Maybe that’s physically writing them in a journal, or maybe it’s reframing old experiences into a new light. This makes sense because the experiences I write down and journal feel like they give my life more “richness”. I assumed its cause I feel compelled to write the “enriching” experience, but there are many other memorable experiences that I didn’t write that are less salient in my memory when I think about what might make my life rich. Simply the act of writing or journaling it allows me to perceive it as rich later down the line.
The experiments discussed in the book really take me back to psych and SONA days. But some of it was too much and hard to get through. Overall, a good read and I do feel like I have more of the vocabulary to define why I might not be feeling ~life~ even though I feel happy and content in most day to day things.
The book talks about how one might live a “good life”. And though often a good life is characterized as a happy and/or meaningful life, there is a third dimension that rounds out a good life and that is psychological richness. It involves novel experiences, opportunities for perspective changes. Not necessarily happy or good experiences but things that you would include in your life story that help explain why you see the world the way you do.
I liked a lot of points the book made. Besides the obvious (go out and do more stuff that makes you uncomfortable) they offer research backed ways to make you feel more psychologically rich. Movies, books, literature all help. Even just “rewriting” your already written past helps your perception of richness in your life. I liked that point quite a lot. Richness means nothing if you can’t remember your experiences, so rewrite or simply just write your experiences so they are memorable. Maybe that’s physically writing them in a journal, or maybe it’s reframing old experiences into a new light. This makes sense because the experiences I write down and journal feel like they give my life more “richness”. I assumed its cause I feel compelled to write the “enriching” experience, but there are many other memorable experiences that I didn’t write that are less salient in my memory when I think about what might make my life rich. Simply the act of writing or journaling it allows me to perceive it as rich later down the line.
The experiments discussed in the book really take me back to psych and SONA days. But some of it was too much and hard to get through. Overall, a good read and I do feel like I have more of the vocabulary to define why I might not be feeling ~life~ even though I feel happy and content in most day to day things.
May 1, 2025
8.5/10. Good and interesting idea. Probably could’ve been presented with greater brevity, but read like it was probably a pleasure for him to write; which makes it pleasant for me.
My summary is: the self can be understood as a dynamic collection of processes and relationships we maintain with people, identity, thoughts, and environment. When examining one’s relationship to things - such as relationship to work, friends, or identity - the nature of these relationship can be examined through the framework of what makes a good life: happiness, meaning, or psychological richness. Happiness equals steady contentment or achievement; meaning arises from purpose, contribution to a larger entity, and a sense of fulfillment; and psychological richness as variety, particularly the novel, surprising, and perspective changing, even when uncomfortable. Each dimension offers distinct relational ideals and outcomes, so the question becomes: in each relationship, what’s the dimensional ideal?
My summary is: the self can be understood as a dynamic collection of processes and relationships we maintain with people, identity, thoughts, and environment. When examining one’s relationship to things - such as relationship to work, friends, or identity - the nature of these relationship can be examined through the framework of what makes a good life: happiness, meaning, or psychological richness. Happiness equals steady contentment or achievement; meaning arises from purpose, contribution to a larger entity, and a sense of fulfillment; and psychological richness as variety, particularly the novel, surprising, and perspective changing, even when uncomfortable. Each dimension offers distinct relational ideals and outcomes, so the question becomes: in each relationship, what’s the dimensional ideal?
November 24, 2025
I discovered “Life in Three Dimensions” by Shigehiro Oishi through Adam Grant’s “10 New Books to Feed Your Mind in 2025” reading list (https://adamgrant.substack.com/p/the-...).
A “good life” is often measured by happiness or meaning, and Oishi introduces a third dimension: psychological richness. Oishi asserts that in addition to living a joyful and purpose-driven life, a good life includes accumulating new experiences and perspectives. He cites studying abroad as one of the best examples of psychological richness.
I especially enjoyed passages on playfulness, DIY, exploring at least 12 options, storytelling, and the closing fictitious exchange of letters between father and son to summarize the book.
Oishi expertly sprinkles research and anecdotes throughout the story. Still, the book lost a star for me because some of the book was repetitive.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys philosophy or wants to live their best life.
A “good life” is often measured by happiness or meaning, and Oishi introduces a third dimension: psychological richness. Oishi asserts that in addition to living a joyful and purpose-driven life, a good life includes accumulating new experiences and perspectives. He cites studying abroad as one of the best examples of psychological richness.
I especially enjoyed passages on playfulness, DIY, exploring at least 12 options, storytelling, and the closing fictitious exchange of letters between father and son to summarize the book.
Oishi expertly sprinkles research and anecdotes throughout the story. Still, the book lost a star for me because some of the book was repetitive.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys philosophy or wants to live their best life.
February 4, 2025
A lovely and thought-provoking exploration of what makes a good life. Is the quest for happiness and meaning enough to satisfy a person? Can living a life full of psychological richness—trying new experiences, challenging yourself, gaining perspective from others and your experiences—provide satisfaction (instead)?
The writing is clear, and the anecdotes are varied and interesting. I appreciated the focus on how getting out of our comfort zones and committing to learning and exploring new things can be incredibly fulfilling.
Recommended to anyone curious about self-improvement, learning, the “secret” of finding happiness, etc.
Thank you very much to Doubleday and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
The writing is clear, and the anecdotes are varied and interesting. I appreciated the focus on how getting out of our comfort zones and committing to learning and exploring new things can be incredibly fulfilling.
Recommended to anyone curious about self-improvement, learning, the “secret” of finding happiness, etc.
Thank you very much to Doubleday and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.
February 12, 2025
Wow - this book was a perspective changer. Traditionally, we have been presented with two paths to a good life: a happy life or a meaningful life. But Professor Oishi proposes a third way: the psychologically rich life. In a very clear and concise way, he reveals some of the "traps" of our pursuit of happiness and search for meaning. With a good balance of scientific evidence, cultural references, personal stories, and literary anecdotes, I found myself reflecting deeply on my own way of life. It provides a nice guide with tips and tricks for becoming rich - psychologically rich!
April 17, 2025
There was definitely a lot of valuable and interesting information and anecdotes about different ways to live a good life. I took lots of notes and got a decent amount of inspiration. However I will say the book just felt like a string of stories that never really made a point. It didn’t feel like there was a message or theme and the author contradicted himself a lot. He would say that none of the 3 ways of having a good life are better than others but then spend the majority of the book telling you to live a psychologically rich life. Maybe I’m being too harsh because I did like a lot of the information it just didn’t feel like a very well directed story.
April 30, 2025
The author adds a fresh take on what makes a good life. Instead of just focusing on happiness or meaning, he highlights something called psychological richness—living with curiosity, trying new things, and learning through all kinds of experiences. It’s an inspiring reminder that a full life isn’t always easy, but it can yield rich stories. His top ten list of ways to live a psychologically rich life resonated with me.
February 11, 2025
I don't like self-help books, except of course when I do.
February 18, 2025
This book explains what I knew in my gut, but didn't have the words to explain. I highly recommend it
December 6, 2025
Very creative and interesting.
January 30, 2026
I wanted to like it. It just didn’t hit. Too many words that could have been charts. Kinda smattered. A few good thoughts and interesting ideas.
May 22, 2026
I really liked this new perspective on living a good life. However, I didn't like all the anecdotes and analogies - just not for me. But a good book and good perspective.
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