How come I feel joy as an adult so less often than when I was a kid?
I don't even enjoy holidays because presents don't bring me as much happiness.
Is it because my life is boring? Because I'm surrounded by worse people? Or is my brain just different from a child's one?
Turns out, I looked for answers in the wrong direction.
Dopamine is a chemical in our brains that makes us feel good (=pleasure molecule).
I've always thought that it's only released when we get a reward.
Turns out, it actually happens when we look forward to something good happening, like Christmas or a vacation.
So basically, to feel happier, I need to practice anticipating good things more.
I've tried doing it as my morning routine.
But I'm so out of habit that I found it hard to even come up with ideas.
But then I remembered a list I made 3 or 4 years ago, prompted by my friend Kate - Things that give me joy.
I borrowed a few things from there.
Today I was looking forward to:
- 🥐 enjoying a croissant with coffee
- 📖 curling up with a captivating novel
- ☘️ walking on grass barefoot (when the spring comes).
It really works. I feel warmer and tingling inside even thinking about these joys.
What things are you looking forward to? (They can be big or small, doesn't matter)
Enjoy your life more,
Tania.
PS: cool vocabulary from today's email:
- how come = why
- is released = comes out
- bring joy = create a feeling of great happiness
- anticipate something = expect or prepare for something in the future
- be out of habit = not accustomed to doing something because it's not a regular practice
- come up with = think of an idea, solution, etc.
- captivating novel = an interesting and attention-grabbing book
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