(A study by Larsen et al. (2001) found that participants exposed to mixed stimuli, like poignant movie scenes, reported experiencing happiness and sadness concurrently, illustrating that contradictory emotions can in fact coexist.)

For example, a parent might feel bittersweet watching their child graduate, proud of their achievement yet saddened by the child growing up and moving on.

Bittersweet emotions often involve reflections on time—past, present, and future. Events such as reunions, farewells, or milestones can trigger a heightened awareness of life's transience, evoking a mix of gratitude and melancholy.

People experiencing bittersweet emotions often feel a sense of connection to something larger than themselves, such as cultural traditions, relationships, or universal human experiences.