Germany has a 'ministry' with a resounding name: the Ministry for Happiness and Wellbeing. The independent initiative focuses on "awareness of the good life". We met the founder and Minister of Happiness, Gina Schöler, for an interview.
What does happiness mean to you in concrete terms?
It certainly doesn't mean that we all have to be honey horses all the time. In terms of social policy, there is sometimes talk of 'toxic positivity'. So when I talk about happiness, it doesn't mean that everything always works like clockwork and that everyone is forcibly happy.
I am interested in building a solid foundation of individual and social values that make it easier for us to lead a successful life. Happiness means creating a framework that allows us to experience as many positive emotions as possible. Be it in the family, in education or in business and politics. It is also about a reflective and healthy approach to how we and the world are doing.
How did the Ministry of Happiness come about?
I came to it like the virgin to the child 10 years ago. During our Master's degree in Communication Design at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, we were given the task of finding ways to use communication design methods to initiate a positive change in values in society.
Back then, Bhutan was flourishing in the media with its Gross National Happiness. We realized that our "higher, faster, further, more" is neither ecologically nor socially sustainable. That was a game changer for me. Especially at the highest political level, you have to ask yourself the question: what are we doing all this for? And I hope the answer is: to ensure the best possible life for people and nature.
This gave rise to the provocative political metaphor of the 'Ministry of Happiness'. Not much had happened in the western world in this respect. From a brand perspective, it was also interesting to fill this gap. It then became a sure-fire success and has stayed with me ever since.
Looking around the world, one might think that these are difficult times for you as Minister of Happiness?
The need for happiness is enormous at the moment. There's a fire in every corner. I'm a very empathetic person. I have to be careful not to take too much home with me in the evening. Because the personal issue has opened up all the boundaries.
But I also realize that, of course, it can't all be my responsibility. I encourage people to take responsibility for themselves. I am not in the position of waving a magic wand and solving the nation's problems, I am a source of inspiration and point out ways and possibilities, I ask questions, listen and encourage people to take their first steps towards happiness.
At the beginning of the pandemic, we asked ourselves as a team: can we even talk about happiness now? Isn't that succinct? But we understood very quickly and also received feedback from the community that we are needed right now so that everyone doesn't bury their heads in the sand. Optimism is a high-performance sport. It's exhausting to keep the flags flying high, but I'm happy to do it.
What are the basic ingredients of your happiness work?
Appreciation and gratitude are my biggest hobbyhorse. I also like to pull this out of my hat when I'm not feeling well. It's important to pass on appreciation, e.g. to a neighbor, team colleague or life partner. To tell them how important their existence is and what they contribute to a successful life. And this all too often gets lost in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. From the point of view of happiness research, this is a very important building block.
You work with very creative methods. Does creativity also work with less creative minds?
According to Joseph Beuys, everyone is an artist, and therefore also a life artist. Creativity does not mean being able to paint beautifully or play an instrument. Creativity is reflected in the way we think and act: trying out new things, making new connections, thinking outside the box, doing things differently... My aim is not to reach everyone. I open my vendor's tray and offer this repertoire of workshops, events, books and creative methods. My aim is for people to help themselves from it if they need to. But I don't impose it on anyone. For it to be sustainable, it needs a portion of intrinsic motivation. Where the door is already slightly open, I like to knock. But where everything is locked and barred, I tell myself: everyone has their time.
But in principle, creative approaches also work in conservative event settings. I work a lot with tactile objects, I don't have a PowerPoint presentation and I like to challenge my inner child. This works better than you might think - even in rigid structures.
Can you tell us about some moments of professional happiness?
The craziest things have happened in the last 10 years. Once, a delegation of 50 people from Thailand came especially to get to know the work of our Ministry of Happiness. I told them that we are not a real political institution, but they wanted to get to know us. I had rented a hall in Mannheim Palace especially for the event so that the whole thing would be representative. It was a great event. Other highlights were the collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the invitation to the OECD conference in Paris.
But what really touched me were the 'mini-moments' where I was able to topple a small domino. Where a tear flows, a realization suddenly occurs, a career change happens or people travel halfway around the world to see a family member again.
You have developed a 'rule of thumb' for the daily pinch of happiness. What is it?
- The thumb stands for gratitude. This means becoming aware of what is there and not taking anything for granted.
- The index finger stands for time and the reminder to take good breaks, make fewer appointments and allow yourself plenty of peace and quiet.
- The middle finger stands for togetherness: entering into a relationship and exchange, helping someone, giving a compliment or even a declaration of love, etc.
- The ring finger means reflection and invites you to look within: to observe your own feelings and needs, your own whirlwind of thoughts, to find your own personal common thread. This helps you to get to know yourself better and connect with yourself.
- The little finger stands for comedy. For humor and optimism, even in difficult times. And for the attempt to integrate lightness and joie de vivre into one's own life.
How can you spoil yourself?
There is a folder on my PC called "Digital praise shower". I save all the screenshots with nice feedback, comments, feedback or emails there and pull them out when the little critic in me gets loud. I also have an analog version of it, with all the little notes that I receive or get sent to me.
Next to me is a bouquet of flowers that a dear friend gave me. I also regularly buy them for myself. Something like that makes a big difference in everyday life.
How utopian is a Ministry of Happiness?
Iceland, Scotland and New Zealand have formed an alliance to bring "wellbeing" more strongly into politics. And in Germany, too, we like to ask the question: "[1] What if?"
So far, we have largely met with an open ear, even in politics. Of course, there have also been one or two critical voices and accusations of "forced gratification" when our approach has not been understood.
There are many people around the world who have realized that political decisions are also about holistic approaches. And maybe our idea isn't so crazy after all, maybe we're just ahead of our time (laughs).
So happiness will soon become a political issue?
It is not yet a broad movement, but delicate roots are sprouting. Not only in politics. It is also very strong in the education system and in companies. It is an absolute basic building block everywhere that people are allowed to be human, that they feel seen, valued and part of a system. Happiness, well-being, healthy coexistence and satisfaction form the basis, and more and more people are realizing this. It is beginning. And I am very optimistic.
What final piece of luck advice do you have for our readers?
Try something supposedly crazy! It takes a few tests of courage and small challenges to find out what really does you good and makes you happy.
And for me, it is precisely about encouraging people to embark on this search, this process that lies behind a successful life. Such processes can also be grueling and exhausting. I always say that happiness also has side effects. But it is worth it. And if you take your fellow human beings with you on this journey, it creates an incredible bond.
