Joie de vivre ( /ˌʒwɑːdəˈviv(rə)/ ZHWAH də VEEV (-rə), French: [ʒwa d(ə) vivʁ]; "joy of living") is a French phrase used in English to describe a happy and cheerful way of enjoying life, a strong feeling of happiness, and overall joy.

It can refer to the joy of talking, the joy of eating, or the joy of doing any activity someone enjoys. Joie de vivre may also mean a happiness that includes all parts of life, a complete sense of joy, and a way of thinking about life. According to Robert's Dictionnaire, "joie" is a feeling that affects the whole person, meaning it involves one's entire being.

Origins and development

The informal use of the phrase in French can be traced back at least to the late 17th century, when Fénelon used it. However, it became important in literature during the 19th century. First, the writer Michelet used it in his book Insecte (1857) to compare the quiet life of plants with the lively energy of animals. Later, Émile Zola included it in his book, which was published between 1883 and 1884.

Over time, the phrase became a way of living, growing in importance and even resembling a non-religious belief system in the early 20th century. In the second half of the 20th century, it influenced the ideas of Lacan, who focused on "a type of enjoyment that goes beyond just feeling pleasure." During this time, its connection to enthusiasm, energy, and spontaneity helped it gain worldwide popularity, especially with the rise of hippie culture.

Psychology

In the 20th century, people who supported the idea of self-actualization, such as Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, noticed a result: the realization of what Rogers called "the quiet joy in being one's self…a natural, relaxed happiness, a simple, natural happiness in life."

This happiness, known as "joie de vivre," has also been connected to D. W. Winnicott's idea of a sense of play and the ability to connect with one's true self.

Adaptations

The phrase is often written in its standard French version, but different variations are sometimes seen, such as "joie de vie," which means "joy of life." The Matisse painting titled "Le bonheur de vivre" translates to "The Happiness of Life."