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Are some people better at finding joy in small things?

128 replies

AdoptedBumpkin · 14/07/2021 12:25

I know the answer to this, but I found myself thinking about it yesterday.

Recently I have reactivated my FB to see what some old friends are up to and have seen a few posts from an acquaintance I've known for a decade. It occurred to me that her life has always seemed a bit 'humdrum' relative to her age in the last ten years, i.e. most people under a certain age would find it a bit dull. She was early 20s when I met her, so now will be early 30s.

However, she has always come across as genuinely happy, both in the flesh and online, and radiates genuine contentment in happiness in photos. She is married to someone most women would find a bit boring, but she presumably finds him interesting as they seem very happy. In the time I have known her she has always lived in places with not much going for them and probably a bit rough based on their reputations, but she seems to have liked them all to some extent.

From what I know from interaction and FB, she hasn't done a lot of things young people get excited about like music festivals etc, and she rarely if ever travels abroad. The Euro final seems to have passed her by completely, and come to think of it I can't remember her posting about any big national events except maybe General Elections.

The curious thing, I suppose, is that there are some young adults with more exciting lives than hers on paper who are more bored and less content in reality - not because of Covid, I mean before Covid.

I'm older than this young lady and yet am probably more prone to being bored. If you've somehow made it to the end of this post - can you relate to this, or indeed are you one of these people who is good at finding pleasure or excitement in small things?

OP posts:
Kralia · 16/07/2021 23:46

I think I am like this. I love food, and the prospect of a pastry from the local bakery can keep me genuinely excited for an entire day Grin I'm mostly just amazed at my luck in life - not that I have achieved anything dramatic, life is pretty humdrum but I find deep happiness in the ordinary! I don't know how it comes about though, there's no effort involved. My parents are also like this. My DH, much as I love him, tends more towards the constantly low-level dissatisfied, as do his parents, so maybe it's hereditary!

JanuaryJonez · 16/07/2021 23:51

@MiniTheMinx I think you're on to something there SmileSmileSmile

JanuaryJonez · 16/07/2021 23:55

B*ut I find deep happiness in the ordinary
*
This, I think, is the absolute key to happiness!

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