The Art of Enjoying The Ordinary
Whether it’s a more expensive car, a bigger home, the must-have leggings that all of the ladies are wearing, or the latest golf gadget, why do we always want more than we have? Our brains are wired to constantly desire bigger, better, and/or more expensive. Do these things result in ultimate happiness? My jury is out on this one.
Sure, getting a new car or expensive handbag may buy you temporary happiness but how long will that last before you are on to the next thing? My guess, not long enough. So, how can we look for happiness in ordinary things? You have to actively train your brain to do this. Practice by making lists of everyday things that bring you happiness. Here are some ordinary things that I love:
-Drinking my protein shake in the morning. This makes me feel like I am rewarding my body for putting in hard work with exercise. It also tastes really good.
-Taking a mid-afternoon nap. There is something amazing about taking a snooze when the sun is out. It makes me feel warm and cozy. A little treat that is not guaranteed every day.
-Walking my dog. This makes him SO happy which in turn makes ME so happy. He actually smiles during our walks.
-My reliable vehicle. I know that 2018 wasn’t that long ago, but she ain’t fancy. She is super reliable and fits me, my tiny human and my dog comfortably. That’s all that matters to me.
- My 1978 house. It’s not huge, nor is it tiny. It is perfect. My mortgage is affordable, my interest rate is low, and it is super cozy. At one point we wanted to move to a newer neighborhood with bigger houses and I’m so glad we didn’t. I don’t want to take care of a bigger house!
-Pick-up groceries. This one makes my day EVERY time. Especially when my buddy Paul (one of the grocery delivery workers) brings my groceries to my car, asks about how school is going for my daughter, and tells me with a genuine smile that he hopes I have a wonderful day. Salt of the earth.
-The way my daughter’s face lights up when her favorite song comes on and then singing together at the top of our lungs even if we don’t know all of the lyrics.
These are just a few things that make me happy. None of them are extravagant and I don’t want more right now. When my brain defaults to “bigger/better” mode, I make a list of these ordinary things and I ask myself, “will it make me happier LONG term, or will I be looking for the next dopamine hit after the initial satisfaction wears off?” It’s worth considering.