Our Best Life Project began after I was laid off from my job as psychology faculty—you know, the job I thought I’d have forever. At first, it felt like a monstrous loss, but then it felt like an unexpected gift: a chance to pause and ask the big questions. What really matters? How do I want to spend my time? What kind of life do I want to build for my family and myself?
For me, the answers pointed back to what I know best—neuroscience and psychology—and to the people who matter most to me: my family. The real question became how I could use my expertise to make our everyday lives better. For years, I’ve been encouraging my students to try evidence-based practices that boost well-being. Suddenly, it was time to practice what I preached at home. So we began asking: How can we weave gratitude practices, nature, strengths-spotting, healthier habits, and all the other things into the reality of our busy suburban lives?
That’s when another realization hit: maybe I was aiming too high. Our BEST life? What does that even mean? Why does figuring out how to live our best life feel so complicated? It seems like we should just know what makes us happy and do that—but real life is messier. We still need to earn a living, juggle relationships, and yes, do the dishes.
Living our best life, I realized, isn’t about perfection—it’s about intentional pursuit. And the good news is, science gives us a map. Research shows us practical ways to find meaning, contentment, and joy. Until now, I hadn’t had enough time or space to fully integrate these methods in my own life. But suddenly, I did. And I took a great big grateful breath.
So we’re starting here: a yearlong experiment in making small, science-backed changes that will hopefully make our already good life even better—and in the process help my kids learn how to shape their own best future lives. Our Best Life Project, indeed! I’m documenting the project here to see what works for us and what doesn’t. I hope you’ll join us for the journey!