Outline Project 2 by Gabrielle Borusewicz

Thesis Statement

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Happiness lies in the unique day-to-day experiences; we should want less and start living more in the present.

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Kahneman’s explanation of the “experiencing self” and the “remembering self” is central to understanding why college students may be stressed or miserable, even if they are okay in theory.

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“There is an experiencing self, who lives in the present and knows the present… And then there is a remembering self, and the remembering self is the one that keeps score, and maintains the story of our life” (2:44-3:13).

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Brooks talks about a different roadblock to happiness: the hamster wheel of desire that never stops. College students tend to fall into this pattern because they believe that happiness is a point or a GPA away or an internship away

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“Each accomplishment thrilled me for a day or a week– maybe a month, never more– and then I reached for the next rung on the ladder” (Brooks 5).

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Nolan finds peace by discovering the little things in life, such as the Met Museum in New York. Escaping the chaotic streets.

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“The moment I push open the door, I am awash in the tranquility that only a rainbow of glassware can bring” (Nolan).

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Nolan realized that her day-to-day life felt more at peace in the museum, although she went out and found the museum with her conscious intention, she's practicing living in the moment.

Connections

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In all, each of these lenses show a clear way forward for students today. Kahneman uncovers that if we’re to be truly fulfilled, we cannot sacrifice our moments now for memories. Brooks reminds us that we don’t achieve happiness by seeking more, but yearning less. And Nolan demonstrates that small, deliberate acts of just being in the moment can create a sense of calm, even in the most overstimulating and chaotic environments

Conclusion

gmb251 — 2025-07-30 13:05:21 UTC

Ultimately, it becomes clear that happiness is rooted in the unique day-to-day experiences we encounter. Therefore, we must learn to desire less and embrace living more in the present. Real happiness for students is not about doing more and accomplishing more, but it is about wanting less and living more deeply in the present. In a culture that values productivity and achievement, students might find that they can fight the desire to act and prove themselves repeatedly and instead create the less showy work of being present and at peace. If college students can realize these rather simple topics and act accordingly, then they will be free to redefine their inner peace and success. Also, not to build towards higher and higher achievements, but to build towards true happiness. (I'm going to add my connections into this paragraph, they're just separate now to show a clearer image.)