After watching the TED talk by Robert Waldinger “What Makes A Good Life? Lessons From The Longest Study On Happiness,” I felt uneasy. Mr. Waldinger’s main point is that in order to live long happy lives with little decline in memory we have to create strong, lasting relationships with the people in our lives. And if we don’t have many close relationships, it is important we go out and seek new relationships no matter where or with whom that may be.

The only reason I found discomfort in this conclusion was that I have always been an introverted spirit. I have always needed way more alone time than most and don’t find creating new relationships as something I would like. But after finding out that Robert is the fourth researcher to continue the longest adult study that; has spanned 75 years with over 700 men to understand what truly helps us live longer and healthier lives I had to listen.

This Harvard study had proved that those with no social connections were often less happy and less healthy than those who did have strong social relationships.  Mr. Waldinger also specifies that the number of friends you have doesn’t matter rather the quality of your relationships is what matters.

I want what Robert describes as a quick fix, something I can get that will make my life happy and keep it that way. I think I see getting my degree as my quick fix but now I know that my introverted ways are just going to have to end.