Enjoying life can seem like an elusive prospect sometimes. Everyone has their ups and downs, the state of the world seems chaotic, and modern life tends to be all too busy.
So we think to ourselves, “After this busy season, I can slow down and enjoy life,” or, “Once I’ve saved enough money or lost enough weight, I can enjoy life,” or, “When I retire, I can enjoy life.”
The truth is that we can find ways, both big and small, to enjoy life at any time—even in difficult circumstances.
Forgo Complaining
One way to enjoy life more is to simply stop complaining. It’s so easy to complain, either aloud or to ourselves: The service was bad, someone left a mess behind, that person was rude, that experience was disappointing, this chore is cumbersome. Complaining casts a shadow of negativity that sucks the joy out of life.Oftentimes, the mundane things we tend to complain about could just as easily be seen in a positive light. When feeling resentful of our routine chores, for example, we could recognize how blessed we are to have dishes to wash, clothes to clean, tools to make the job easier, and a family to care for. We could slow down and actually enjoy the process of doing this work—of improving our lives and the lives of those we love, one simple step at a time.
Even when our complaints seem completely warranted—we’re mistreated, we’re suffering—we can find the lesson within the experience and utilize it as an opportunity for growth and improvement. We can see unsavory behavior in others and consider whether we ever behave that way. We can pick ourselves back up after a fall or failure and move forward with increased fortitude. It’s coming through life’s challenges better than before that makes life enjoyable.
Seek Quietude
Relentless inputs from media and technology can make enjoying life more challenging. Spend some time each day disconnected to the constant onslaught, and let your mind find calmness, stillness, and peace. You may find great enjoyment in some flash of inspiration that comes or a fond memory you recall, or simply the ability to take in the present moment and allow your spirit and body to relax.Savor Beauty
If life is so hectic that we’re not stopping to smell the roses, we’re leaving enjoyment on the table. Take in nature, the arts, music, and stories. Learn about history, travel away from your small corner of the world, bake a delightful treat and share it, plant a garden, and light a candle. Life is full of simple pleasures, but you need to allow the buffer time between obligations and worries to experience them.Dispel Fear
Fear seems pervasive at the moment. Recognize the ways in which fear is driving you, and consider whether that fear is a help or hindrance. We can’t enjoy life if we’re scared that the sky might fall at any moment.Take on the responsibility to diligently manage what is within your control and let the rest go. One of the greatest things you may be able to do is become a refreshing, light-hearted, and optimistic influence on the lives of those around you.
Revisit Play
Do you remember play? You likely did it all the time as a child. What would you play with now if you could? Would you head outdoors and kick a ball around, swing on the swingset at a park, paint a picture, or start a collection? Rekindling a sense of play can reinvigorate your creativity and certainly bring more enjoyment to life. You think play is just for kids? Give it a try.Deepen Connections
Technology was doing a pretty decent job of encouraging separation between people, even before the events of the past few years. Is there a way you can rekindle or better tend to the relationships in your life? Reach out to the relatives and friends you haven’t connected with in a while. Visit loved ones face to face and shoot the breeze. Send a surprise in the mail to someone far away just to ease their loneliness.As a society, we’ve underestimated how precious our relationships are. Buck the trend and gather.
Improve Yourself
We all are works in progress. Each of us, if we’re brave enough to look, can easily see the countless ways in which we can improve. Aim to make tiny improvements in yourself each day. You’ll be amazed at how enjoyable that is.Improve your habits, attitude, diet, space, appearance, and skills—whatever you wish to improve upon—and simply try to improve a tiny bit every day in that area, and see where that strategy takes you.
