10 Useful Tips to Derive Pleasure from Everyday Things
One of the hardest things about modern life
is the creeping sense of banality, that every day is exactly the same,
as you wake up at the same hour, go through the same motions, stand in
the same traffic jam and do the same work. There is something extremely
dehumanizing in this repetitive routine, but the trick to taking your
humanity back is in understanding that things are not the same, and it’s
up to you to spot the difference. Here’s how:
1. Savour Food 
For thousands of years now, food hasn’t
just been a matter of sustenance for us, humans, rather a culinary
experience. Though we eat because we must, we also eat because we enjoy
food. Commit to the pleasure food brings you. Let it roll around your
palate before you chew it and swallow it down. Consider every bite and
how it makes you feel. Eating this way, you will also feel fuller
because you’ve extracted the most in terms of experience out of your
meal.
2. Seek the Beautiful Wherever You Are
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Look around with your own private camera
and seek the most beautiful thing in the frame, no matter where you are.
The beautiful can be an object, a plant, an animal or a person, but it
can also be a particular composition, the way the light falls on
something, a pleasant color scheme, etc.
3. Ponder the Mundane
Think about the most trivial things and ask
yourself questions about them; why is that town named that way, and who
gave it that name? Why don’t grown men wear shorts? What do insects
look like when they sleep, and why have I never seen one asleep? This is
a great way to foster curiosity.
4. Ask Yourself How You’re Feeling
Look inwardly at your thoughts and emotions
and try to observe them without judgment. Have a conversation with
yourself (not out loud!) about the things that are bugging you and try
to resolve them by giving yourself good advice. Heck, if you can help
other people out, why shouldn't you be able to help yourself?
5. Walk more
This isn’t just a matter of health and
sports (though walking is almost never a bad idea), it’s about being
present in the environment without the boundaries of glass panes. If you
need to get somewhere by car or public transportation, get off a short
walk away and travel the rest of the way by foot.
6. Look for Reasons to Laugh
Is it all a joke to you? Well, it should
be, because as we all know, laughter is good for you. Look at all of the
occurrences around you and find what’s amusing, ridiculous, absurd or
hilarious about them, and laugh out loud and heartily (just not at
people).
7. Engage in Conversations
Seek meaningful (if fleeting) connection
with people, be they strangers or coworkers that you aren’t so familiar
with. Look at small-talk as an opportunity to latch onto a small detail
which will form the basis of your conversation. Actively listen to the
stories people are telling you and let them lead.
8. Enjoy the Way
The road isn’t an inconvenience on your way
from point A to B. It’s the world. Pay attention to traffic, but also
appreciate the weather, the view, the music on the radio. Being in a
rush while in a traffic jam won’t help much, so forget about time and
frustration and focus on the things you can see and feel that bring you
joy.
9. Share in Your Joy
Tell the people you love about those things
that brought joy to your heart, make them laugh, make them reconsider
those things they believe are tedious and boring, translate your joy
into play and dare to be a little bit childish. Shine a bright light
into your social circles.
10. Listen to Your Body
Eat if you’re hungry, but stop when you’re
full. If your muscles feel sore, stretch them out. If you’re tired, take
a short rest. Disregard the internal voices that are saying you aren’t
making good use of your time by listening to your body's needs. Jobs,
chores, assignments- everything comes second to your body.
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