30 days to Happiness day # 18- Purposeful pursuits to pleasure

Children silhouettes holding handsHappiness does not just live in our thinking it lives in our actions too and more of it can be cultivated by accumulating happy experiences and although we don’t always get a quick fix instant gratification from experiences, like some people do when they make a material purchase, the impact remains for longer.
 
Most people would agree that sitting with friends talking about an experiential purchase and what we “did”, generates far more happiness points than sitting talking about the latest handbag or television that we bought and I would imagine, when you are sat in your rocking chair reviewing your life that your happiest memories will be about the experiences you have had, rather than remembering fondly the day you bought a new laptop.
 
It’s the difference between collecting happiness points from choosing to do rather than choosing to have.
 
Now, I am absolutely not saying that it is wrong to want to have, that would be very hypocritical after I have told you I want to have a Range Rover Evoque, but I suspect it is the “doing” of the journey towards achieving it that will create the largest happiness return for me. A purposeful pursuit towards pleasure.

It is said that doing something different leads to more creativity and that getting out of your routine and just taking a new route to work, or listening to a new radio station can stimulate your mind and if you don’t like it then you can always change back or try something else.

Also have you noticed how time seems to slow down when you are doing something for the first time and you are engrossed in it, as it did when you were a child and life was one big new experience? A study has been done that shows our brain may calculate time based on the number of events that occur, the equation being, the more events = the more time we feel has passed.

People who’s approach to living is to step into their stretch zone from time to time(that’s the one just outside of comfort) are said to be more satisfied with their lives and experience more positive emotions.

So, todays conscious happiness choice is to try something new, especially if you are not that “type of person” (limiting belief alert).

I love new experiences; I took part in a world record breaking Skydive this year. The feeling of that experience was priceless, one that I doubt even a shiny new car could match. Now, I’m not suggesting that you should chuck yourself out of an aeroplane but starting small and practicing trying something different can be a great way to inspire you to try even more new things that can open up new ways to enhance your happiness.

Make a list of all the new things you could try and have fun giving them a go. As mentioned in previous days the focus of your attention is critical – if you choose to do something new in the name of happiness then actively look for that and what’s enjoyable, rather than what’s wrong or not enjoyable and if it doesn’t turn out how you expected then you get feedback for next time.

Here are fifteen ideas to get you started:

Try swapping which side of the bed you sleep on.

Turn off the television an hour before you go to bed and read, or better still, turn it off completely one evening a week.

What hobbies did you have when you were younger that would be fun to try again? I love colouring.

Try a new fruit or vegetable that you haven’t eaten before- or if you are feeling particularly daring, try Marmite.

Cook a new recipe.

Drive home from work a different way.

Play a game. If anyone wants to play Scrabble, let me know, especially if you like winning!

Buy a new magazine you haven’t bought before or read a book by a new author.

If you always walk the dog in the same place try somewhere new, with or without the dog.

Try a new form of exercise that you haven’t done before.

Sign up for a new evening class. I might give pottery another go.

Visit a new place that you haven’t been too before.

Put some music on and dance….go on, no one is watching.

Say yes more- how many times do you say no automatically without reallyconsidering it?

Send someone you love a letter or a card rather than an email or text.

Go and listen to a band that is a type of music you have not really listened to before.

 

I’m sure you can think of lots of other suggestions to mix things up a bit when you apply your creative mind to it. Keep a journal of new things you would like to try and tick them off.

Just writing about this has raised my happiness bar :0)

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Work with me? The Three Principles based approach to coaching I now follow is all about getting you to see, for yourself, the inside out nature of the human experience. It’s truly transformational! You can find out more about working with me here!