Nudge: A Year-Long Happiness Experiment

Host: Phil Agnew
Guest: Patrick Fagan
Episode Title: A year-long happiness experiment: Try one new thing a week (did it work?)
Release Date: May 26, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Nudge, host Phil Agnew welcomes Patrick Fagan, a renowned expert in behavioral science, psychology, and marketing. Patrick shares his transformative year-long experiment aimed at enhancing happiness by committing to one new experience each week. This experiment not only sought personal happiness but also delved into the broader applications of behavioral science in daily life and work.

The Year-Long Happiness Experiment

Patrick Fagan embarked on a challenging journey titled "Just Do Stuff", where he dedicated himself to trying one new thing every week for a year. From simple activities like watching his first sunrise and eating his first doner kebab to more unconventional experiences such as attending a My Little Pony convention and infiltrating a Just Stop Oil meetup, Patrick's list was both diverse and daring.

Patrick Fagan [00:05]: "I committed myself to doing one new thing for every week of the year. Some of them quite small things like I watched my first sunrise, I wrote to a serial killer, he didn't write me back. Whereas some of them were larger. I went to the Middle East for the first time. I went to a My Little Pony convention. I did all sorts of things."

Challenges and Commitment

While the concept seemed straightforward, Patrick faced significant logistical and financial challenges. Curating a varied list of activities required substantial effort, and the project cost him approximately £12,000 over the year, though most activities were free.

Patrick Fagan [04:10]: "It sounds quite simple, one new thing for every week of the year. But actually, it was quite difficult to make the list to find things... I spent about £12,000 across the year, although I will say the mode was 0 pounds, so most of them were free."

Experiences vs. Material Purchases: The Psychological Edge

A central theme of Patrick's experiment was the exploration of how experiences contribute more significantly to happiness than material possessions. Referencing studies, Patrick highlighted that experiential purchases lead to a measurable increase in happiness compared to material ones.

Patrick Fagan [05:03]: "There was a diary study where they had people measure their happiness after purchases and they found that after an experiential purchase rather than a material one, people were happier. I think about 6% happier. Statistically significant difference."

Further reinforcing this, Patrick cited a 2003 study, To Do or To Have, which found that participants rated experiential purchases, like concerts and travel, as 13.4% happier compared to material purchases.

The Impact of Screen Time on Wellbeing

Patrick delved into the detrimental effects of excessive screen time on happiness and mental health. He referenced Gene Twenge's research linking increased screen usage to heightened unhappiness and discussed a study on time distortion caused by short-form video platforms like TikTok.

Phil Agnew [06:51]: "The TikTok group significantly overestimated the time spent on both TikTok and the academic task... the reading group had no time distortion at all."

Patrick emphasized that screen usage not only reduces immediate enjoyment but also warps our perception of time, making mundane tasks feel longer and more tedious.

Behavioral Principles from New Experiences

Patrick's experiment illuminated several key behavioral science principles:

1. Socializing and Bonding:

   • Cuddle Workshop Experience: Initially dreaded, this experience underscored the importance of social connections in enhancing enjoyment and creating memorable moments.

     Patrick Fagan [09:55]: "I can tell you haven't lived until you've held a strange man's grizzled face between your hands and had to stare into his eyes for a full minute."

   • Chocolate Sharing Study: Referencing a Yale University study, Patrick explained how sharing food enhances its perceived taste by 28%.

2. Effort and Meaning:

   • Effort Justification Effect: Citing Elliot Aronson's 1959 study, Patrick illustrated how exerting effort in joining a group increases the perceived value of the experience.

     Patrick Fagan [14:29]: "There's a principle called the effort justification effect... participants who were made to go through a harder, more effortful ritual to join a discussion rated the quality of it higher."

   • IKEA Effect: Assembling something oneself enhances its value, a principle Patrick related to the importance of effort in deriving happiness.

   • Dance Class Experience: Despite initial awkwardness, the shared struggle in a dance class with his wife strengthened their bond and created a cherished memory.

     Patrick Fagan [15:29]: "The awkwardness and lack of comfort actually bonded me and my wife. It was a very fun memory that we made together."

Notable and Transformative Experiences

• Infiltrating a Just Stop Oil Meetup: This experience fostered empathy as Patrick interacted directly with activists he previously viewed negatively, humanizing them beyond media portrayals.

  Patrick Fagan [18:24]: "That was a big pillar that I learned from some of these experiences was empathy. ... it made them into flesh and blood, real people."

• Being a Slave to AI for a Day: Surprisingly, Patrick ranked this as his best experience. Delegating his day's activities to AI freed him from decision-making stress, illustrating the power of experiential escape from daily anxieties.

  Patrick Fagan [20:19]: "It freed me from the burden of choice and responsibility and risk. ... experiences can be so powerful."

• Casino Experiment: Attempting day trading resulted in financial loss but provided valuable lessons on risk and emotional resilience.

  Patrick Fagan [23:18]: "It was a transformative experience. It did change my life."

Reflections and Outcomes

Patrick concluded that the experiment significantly boosted his happiness, empathy, and overall mental and physical health. Engaging in diverse experiences reduced his dependence on screens and enhanced his quality of life by encouraging active participation and social interaction.

Patrick Fagan [25:07]: "I think it's made me more empathetic, more. I would say it's made me happier than my wife might not say that, but I think so."

Advice for Listeners

For those inspired to undertake a similar journey, Patrick offers practical advice:

• Start Small: Begin with manageable commitments, such as one new thing per month instead of weekly.
• Variety is Key: Mix small, accessible activities with more challenging ones to balance enjoyment and personal growth.
• Focus on Purpose: Seek experiences that add meaning and foster connections rather than just seeking pleasure.

Patrick Fagan [24:22]: "You don't have to do one new thing for every week. You could do one new thing for every month... It doesn't have to be huge things."

Additional Projects and Resources

Patrick also discussed his previous project focused on altering his personality traits, aiming to become more extroverted and less neurotic. While facing humorous setbacks, such as friends laughing at his exaggerated confident strides, Patrick learned valuable lessons about self-improvement and behavioral change.

Listeners are encouraged to explore Patrick's detailed accounts of his experiences through his newsletter, available for free at justdostuff.co.uk.

Closing Thoughts

Patrick Fagan's year-long happiness experiment offers profound insights into the role of new experiences in enhancing well-being. By embracing behavioral science principles, Patrick not only increased his own happiness but also provided actionable advice for others seeking to enrich their lives through intentional experiences.

Notable Quotes:

• Patrick Fagan [00:05]: "I committed myself to doing one new thing for every week of the year..."
• Patrick Fagan [04:10]: "It sounds quite simple, one new thing for every week of the year. But actually, it was quite difficult..."
• Phil Agnew [06:51]: "The TikTok group significantly overestimated the time spent..."
• Patrick Fagan [14:29]: "There's a principle called the effort justification effect..."
• Patrick Fagan [20:19]: "It freed me from the burden of choice and responsibility and risk."

For more insights and detailed accounts of Patrick's experiences, visit justdostuff.co.uk and subscribe to his free newsletter.