Catalysts for Happiness
One of the most important things I’ve learned in my 20 years is how hard it can be to maintain the happiness produced by large-scale life events. I’ve spent so long dreading birthdays, feeling empty after big award ceremonies, and being let down when I miss the mark on a long term goal. The truth is, there’s a lot of pressure to make it from one large source of happiness to another, and it can end up making me feel more discontent than anything.
I’ve learned that smaller moments are more sustainable and more enjoyable because I don’t spend hours and hours working towards and feeling apprehensive about finding the next one. I truly prefer bite-sized happiness, and fortunately, it comes in so many different forms. A ladybug on my window, a sweet note from my roommate, or a cute good morning text—all of these things give me sparks of no-strings-attached joy, where I don’t feel fearful or uncomfortable in any capacity. These small moments are catalysts for happiness that make me feel more appreciative of how cool life is.
It’s strange, because this is a sentiment I’ve heard from all angles since I was a kid—“Find happiness in the little things.” Only now have I really begun to appreciate it. Here are a few mini gems of joy I’ve felt grateful for lately:
The little blackberries in our house dining hall! They’re the most immaculate berries I’ve ever had, and piling them onto my plate has brought me a lot of happiness for sure.
The spring wildflowers that have started to make an appearance. Allergies aside…the flora is gorgeous.
The influx of Kirby stickers I’ve received from my sorority sisters. They’re so cute and Kirby is a source of nostalgia! The stickers remind me of when I would play the Kirby video game during my Nintendo DS era.
My sweatpants with the drawstrings that are stuck in a too-tight knot. They’re not so practical anymore, now that I can’t loosen them, but I love them. They’ve seen me at my best and worst.
The matching seashell anklet I share with some of my best friends. Yes, the thread cuts into my ankle sometimes. And what about it? I love that thing, no matter how frayed it becomes.
Seeing 11:11 on the clock. I used to be so excited about this, but my fascination with the magic of 11:11 definitely faded over time. Recently, I’ve begun to feel the excitement of synchronicity a bit more.
Finishing up a written piece of work. No matter how long or short, the pieces I write are sources of pride and happiness for me, and I always feel like celebrating after wrapping up a final draft.
The more I think about it, the more I realize there are endless avenues for happiness once we begin to acknowledge the smaller, more hidden moments in our lives. There’s always a reason to smile, no matter how cheesy it may sound. The second I started paying more attention to the teenier catalysts for happiness, I became so much more aware of how precious life really is.