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I recently read an article in the New York Times by Adam Grant that explored an emotion that many have felt during the pandemic: languishing. Languishing shows up as a feeling of stagnation and emptiness. As if you’re muddling through your days, joyless and aimless, struggling to find meaning and motivation. Grant describes it as the void between depression and thriving; the absence of well-being. The danger of languishing is that you might not even notice it. You might miss the “dulling of your delight or the dwindling of your drive.” You “slip slowly into solitude, indifferent to your own indifference.” Grant reminds us that “when you can’t see your own suffering, you don’t seek help or do much to help yourself.” To combat the feeling of languishing, he recommends several strategies: creating pockets of uninterrupted time (to promote a sense of progress and build momentum and motivation) and focusing on and celebrating small wins (tiny triumphs help counteract the big losses we’ve experienced). A follow-up article about flourishing adds these tips: taking time to savor, practicing gratitude, being of service to others, prioritizing high quality connection, and trying new things. Are you languishing? What are some small ways you’d like to inject more meaning back into your life?

From the ERA

  1. Dwell by Taylor Bamgbose, Image 1.

    Taylor Bamgbose

    Dwell, 2025

    Acrylic and Oil on Canvas

    48 x 36 in (121.92 x 91.44 cm)

    $6,000

  2. Arcade by Stuart Alter, Image 1.

    Stuart Alter

    Arcade, 2024

    Acrylic on Canvas

    30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)

    $1,000

  3. You Carry Me by Taylor Bamgbose, Image 1.

    Taylor Bamgbose

    You Carry Me, 2024

    Acrylic on Canvas

    24 x 24 in (60.96 x 60.96 cm)

    $1,250

  4. I Contain Multitudes by Taylor Bamgbose, Image 1.

    Taylor Bamgbose

    I Contain Multitudes, 2023

    Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

    20 x 20 x 1.5 in (50.8 x 50.8 x 3.81 cm)

    $1,100

  5. Searching For Escape by Taylor Bamgbose, Image 1.

    Taylor Bamgbose

    Searching For Escape, 2022

    Acrylic on Canvas

    48 x 36 in (121.92 x 91.44 cm)

    $2,000

  6. In Hiding by Taylor Bamgbose, Image 1.

    Taylor Bamgbose

    In Hiding, 2021

    Oil and Acrylic on Canvas

    $750

  7. Freefall (Unmoored) by Taylor Bamgbose, Image 3.

    Taylor Bamgbose

    Freefall (Unmoored), 2021

    Acrylic and Oil on Canvas

    30 x 40 in (76.2 x 101.6 cm)

    $875

  8. Rest by Taylor Bamgbose, Image 1.

    Taylor Bamgbose

    Rest, 2020

    Acrylic on Canvas

    $3,450

About the artist

Taylor Bamgbose

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