Joyful Living: Finding Pleasure in the Boring and Mundane

Did you know? 1 in 4 Americans find their life very boringMeanwhile, around 60% of those surveyed said they really need to go on an adventure. On the other hand, I would argue that in the pursuit of a good life, there are ways to find fun and thrills in the tedium of life. Boring work! It actually hit me like a ton of bricks until a friend mentioned this. Having time for quiet simplicity and careful reflection can be extremely valuable. Great things can also happen when you stop looking for approval outside of yourself.

Because our society is obsessed with fear of missing out (FOMO) and chasing the next shiny experience, the whole situation often leaves us sad and unsatisfied. When will enough be enough? That’s why we are always frustrated with our lives and why we always compare ourselves to others. Along with many other vices, we play the comparison game. How did we get here? Well, I think most of the complaints are on social media. We should be more connected than ever, yet we are also disconnected. If you have a lot of Facebook friends that you’ve never actually talked to, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. But a good life doesn’t have to be completely out of reach.

Recently, I have begun to realize the Joy of Missing Out (JOMO) and the deep and meaningful enrichment it brings. In some cases, this means spending long hours, even days, without being connected to technology devices, immersing yourself in nature with long relaxing walks, cooking weekly meals or eating out occasionally, and thinking critically. It may seem like reading an interesting and stimulating book. Instead of seeking adventure outside of myself, I discovered small actions that I can take to romanticize my current life. It’s about enjoying the repetitive routine and accepting the lack of external stimulation. Here are all the ways I’m doing this: Perhaps you’ll gather an idea or two about a fun life and say no to chasing cheap dopamine.

• Sharpen your copywriting skills. To become a better writer, you need to write often and do it. Therefore, this article and many others are published on this beautiful blog.
• Embrace cloudy days as an opportunity to replenish your vitamin D, move your body, and eventually wind down with a cup of tea and your favorite soothing music.
• I’m not waiting for someone to ask me out. There is definitely nothing better than going out to a restaurant alone and enjoying your favorite delicious meal.
• Indulge in your love of reading. I’m currently reading Blaze Island, a climate-themed fiction novel by Kathryn Bush.
• Build and strengthen community bonds through long conversations early in the morning and late at night with important friends and relatives.
• We are working on a solid financial plan for the year. There’s nothing like the peace of mind of knowing you can pay your bills and still have some left over for yourself and your loved ones.

• A movement that transcends everything. For your health, you need to be constantly moving, whether it’s unplugging and existing in nature or getting on a treadmill indoors.
• I don’t wake up early and leave my bed unmade all day. To start your day right, you have to start on the right footing from the moment you wake up.
• As a foodie, I’m getting back to making hearty, nutritious meals for the week. I use a meal prep packaging system that allows me to eat for a week without having to cook.
• Treat yourself to a light makeup routine that improves (rather than alters) your facial features and that you can follow every time you leave the house for an outing.
• I tried adding the “s” in spinach to my protein smoothie. No big deal, just increase your natural iron intake.
• Sometimes I take my focus away from my blogging or client work writing activities to actually write a journal, the process of writing down my thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

All of this may sound difficult and daunting, but remember, it’s the little things that count. You, too, can begin to enjoy the joy of boring and mundane things. It starts now. I’m not saying it’s completely easy, but I promise it’s worth it and you’ll be happy.

What do you do to enjoy your boring life instead of chasing thrills?