Why you should listen

Ingrid Fetell Lee has devoted ten years to answering the question: “How do tangible things create intangible joy?” Drawing on research from the fields of neuroscience and psychology, her book, Joyful, and her blog “The Aesthetics of Joy” explore the powerful connection between our surroundings and our emotions, and empower people to find more joy in daily life through design.

Lee has more than twelve years of experience in design and branding, most recently as design director at global innovation firm IDEO. She has been featured as an expert on design and joy by outlets such as the New York Times, Wired, PRI’s Studio 360, CBC’s Spark and Fast Company.

Lee holds a Master’s in industrial design from Pratt Institute and a Bachelor’s in English and creative writing from Princeton University, and she was a founding faculty member in the Products of Design program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Joyful, her first book, will be published in North America by Little, Brown.

I Wanna be adored
Know anyone who fits this description who’s totally not adorable and causes you agony ? Or do you crave attention to a degree that brings conflict, isolation and frustration. We love ourselves a fair bit here at JoyProvision! After all, on the 6th day, God Created Manchester, remember?
On a serious note, we’re experienced in helping others cope with narcissism and its consequences. Read on to see its growth in society, and its impact on joyful relationships. If you see an opportunity for your selfie development, or someone you care about, please share this article or contact us.

Ian Brow – I Wanna Be Adored

Opinions vary on what narcissism is. But across professionals and society in general, it’s the destructive hunger for satisfaction gained from admiring one’s own appearance, attributes or status. It ranges from limelight hogging, in TV, sports or our own social media, right through to devastating harmful and abusive control in relationships. Some professionals list it as a personality disorder affecting 1% of the population.
In mythology, Narcissus’ self absorption led to his own death as he rejected love, obsessed over his reflection in a pool, and was replaced by a flower. A tragic and bizarre ending. Narcissism puzzles and hurts people.

Salvador Dali’s The Metamorphosis of Narcissus

Healthy self love, or the other kind..?
Deep self indulgence, ruthlessness and entitlement are at the extreme negative end of self love. It harms relationships, people and society. Compassion for yourself(ie), and seeking growth so you can be the best for yourself and others, is seen as a healthy form of self love.

Selfie Consciousness
If you were born mid-80s you’re likely to take 25,000 selfies in your life. Google holds 24 billion selfies. A million a day are taken. There are many views about this – some say it indicates narcissism on the rise. Others explain it as being an increase in self-awareness and body awareness through images of self, coupled with community connection and the maintenance of relationships. What do you think? Drop a comment below.
In music, “I” and “me” feature increasingly in pop lyrics. Studies over the last 30 years conclude that music describes life from an individual standpoint. Songs about togetherness are declining. Artists now tend to state what they desire or are disappointed with. Do you find yourself listening to solo vocalists telling you what they think or have, rather than people who sing about the joy of connection?
Are you interested, or affected by narcissism and have a story to share? Go to our website, and post your story. How did you deal with it either in yourself or with others in your home life, work, or whilst following your passions. How are you handling destructive or creative self-love either in yourself or others? Sharing is an act of loving:
“whoever loves, becomes humble. Those who love have, so to speak, pawned a part of their narcissism”. (Sigmund Freud)

Delve Deeper
Online
BBC iPlayer- The ideas That make Us (Episode 3: Narcissism) 5 Jan 2018
Music
Applause – lady Gaga
I love myself- The Wannadies
Don’t you want me – Human League
And many many more!!
Film
The century of The Self – Adam Curtis
Literature
Ovid, Metamorphoses.
Freud, On Narcissism ( 1914 )
The Narcissism Epidemic, W.K.Campbell and J.Twenge