Observing Nature Makes Us Happy: What Aristotle Knew About Happiness | ARTE Documentary "Unhappy"
- Olivia Köhler
- Jul 1
- 2 min read
In the ARTE documentary Unhappy – Finding Happiness in Nature, I am featured as one of the two protagonists and accompanied in my work as a systemic nature therapist. One of the documentary’s central questions is: What truly makes us happy? The answer leads us, surprisingly, away from self-optimisation - and towards nature.
Aristotle already understood that happiness does not arise through achievement, but through conscious being and the contemplation of life.
Happiness in Nature Instead of Self-Optimisation
In today’s society, happiness is often associated with success, productivity and personal development. We are expected to keep working on ourselves, improving and growing.
Yet this very focus can distance us from the experience itself.
Nature shows us another way: when we begin to observe it consciously – the movement of trees in the wind, the flow of a stream or the stillness of a forest – something arises that we often experience as a deep sense of happiness.
Without any goal. Without any effort.
Aristotle: Happiness Through Observation
In the ARTE documentary, philosopher Christoph Quarch draws on a central idea from Aristotle: we find happiness in contemplation.
When we observe nature, we enter into relationship with something that serves no external purpose. Nature is complete in itself. It does not need to achieve anything, prove anything or optimise anything.
And this is precisely what is transferred to us.
By reconnecting with natural cycles, we too can enter a state that is sufficient in itself.
Simply put:
In nature, we are allowed to simply be.
We do not need to optimise ourselves.
We do not need to prove anything.
It is enough to be here.
Nature Therapy: Experiencing Happiness in Practice
What Aristotle described becomes directly tangible in nature therapy. In my nature-based sessions, the aim is to slow down, open the senses and reconnect with oneself.
Simple activities such as gathering wood, lighting a fire or walking barefoot on the earth help us move out of the mind and return to the body.
Not in order to become better – but to feel ourselves again.
Nature does not judge. It demands nothing and pursues no goal. It is simply there. And this reminds us that we, too, are allowed to be this way: alive, imperfect and real.
What Is Happiness, Really?
Perhaps happiness is not a goal we have to reach. Perhaps it arises precisely when we stop trying to achieve something.
When, as Aristotle describes, we enter into relationship with what is already there: with nature, with life and with ourselves.
Happiness begins where we stop optimising ourselves – and begin simply to be.
Experiencing Happiness in Nature
When did you last consciously observe nature? The wind in the trees, the sound of a stream or the stillness of the forest?
Did you experience a moment of genuine happiness?
And if you would like to explore the subject more deeply, you can find further information here about my workshops and retreats, nature-based team facilitation and one-to-one guidance.
I look forward to meeting you!
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