Nowadays, we have so much and yet we are not happy. We always want more and bigger. Life became a competition of having the biggest house, the biggest car on the driveway, the highest position in the company.
Today was such a beautiful day here in the Netherlands! I enjoyed it by walking home after work instead of taking the tram. As I felt the wind going through my hair and the sun warming my face, I felt so peaceful and happy. Everything about that moment was absolutely perfect. I felt grateful. Grateful for the nice and warm sun, for my health, for my wealth, for my great family and friends and for my amazing boyfriend.
1. Appreciate what you have
I believe we all should build in little moments to appreciate what we have. I think nowadays the focus is too much on what we don’t have. It doesn’t make people any happier. A couple of weeks ago I read an interview with a 80-year old woman who said that in her younger years, all people cared about was how to put food on the table every day. The poor families of now are still richer than the poor families of then. Nowadays, we have so much and yet we are not happy. We always want more and bigger. Life became a competition of having the biggest house, the biggest car on the driveway, the highest position in the company. But at what price? Burn-out rates have never been higher. Therapists have waiting lists. More than 60% of marriages turns out in divorce again. We are never happy with what we have.
2. Focus on experiences rather than gifts
It made me think. I had to admit that in the past I was more materialistic than I am now. It is something that also my boyfriend taught me. He is not a man of expensive gifts or jewellery and he absolutely hates bouquets of flowers. He thinks they are useless. In the past, I liked to be pampered with gifts from my boyfriends. But now, I prefer to have experiences rather than gifts. For Christmas last year, the boyfriend and I went on a 2-day journey to the spa. Just relaxing and enjoying quality time together. It was perfect. I wouldn’t have wished for anything else.
3. Prioritize your health
If you eat shit all the time, you will end up feeling like shit. You only have one body, and it should last you quite a bit, so be kind to it. Drink plenty of water, have a balanced diet, get your daily movement.
Nobody is saying you can’t eat McDonalds anymore or you have to run a marathon next month. But take little steps every day, and notice how you will have more energy. Do a health check with your GP – have your blood drawn every year just to keep track. I wrote another blog about reactive healthcare, and why it’s better to have pro-active healthcare.
And remember: it is in the little things.
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