Longing — A Field Guide to the Ache for What We Do Not Have

Longing: A Field Guide to the Ache for What We Do Not Have

Wanting something you cannot name, for a reason you cannot explain.

Longing sits underneath a great many other feelings and is rarely examined on its own. This guide looks at what we are really reaching for, why the ache is often more precious than the thing itself, how longing differs from envy and from grief, and what it means to live alongside a wanting that may never be answered.

Inside this book

• What longing is really pointing at — and why the object is rarely the answer
• How longing differs from envy, from grief and from ordinary wanting
• Why the ache can be more valuable than getting the thing
• Living alongside a wanting that may never be resolved, without it souring everything else

Part of Field Guide to Feelings — short, unhurried books that each take one emotion seriously. No jargon, no five-step systems. Every book stands entirely on its own.

A note: this is a work of reflection and personal exploration, offered for general interest. It is not therapy, and it is not a substitute for professional support. If a feeling is overwhelming or persistent, please talk to a qualified professional.

Browse the whole series in Emotions & Feelings, see more in Personal Growth, or explore the full Arb Digital Library.

If you have been wondering what is longing, this short guide is written for exactly that question.

For further background from an independent source, see the American Psychological Association.

Instant PDF download. Read on any device. Lifetime access.