On activities that remain novel.

No matter how often I do them, there are some activities in my life, which have never lost their appeal and I often wonder why. How have I never become bored after all this time? If I read this list back to myself, maybe I’ll notice a pattern.

Here are a few:

• Driving. Driving is still an adventure. The control I get to have while driving draws me in each time. I love the independence and freedom. One of my favorite things to do when I first got my driver’s license was go to KFC and get a big box of potato wedges and a Mountian Dew. Damn the decision which took these out of existance recently! I can’t remember if I could get a Mountian Dew at KFC or if I had to go to Taco Bell. Two separate fast food places for one meal may seem excessive but that’s what driving granted me: freedom, independence, agency.

• A shower. It always feels like a spa day excursion to me. It’s truly luxurious each time. I am always so so grateful when I am taking a shower. I feel so lucky to be one of the people in this world who has access to one and my shower is relatively big and nice so I feel extra grateful. I have the ability to turn on half the lights and allow the sun to come in the window, set out all the extra stuff like a towel, a robe, slippers, skincare and haircare products and it feels like a true spa experience if I let it.

• Sitting on the couch. I will never tire of feeling safe and comfortable. It always feels like a luxury to me to be able to feel those feelings. I do not get bored, ever. So you can find me on the couch forever and I refuse to feel guilty for it.

• Watching TV. I’m still enamoured by TV shows. I know so many are disillusioned by the amount of time people spend in front of the TV but when it comes down to it, TV is just story-telling and some writers and actors are so exquisitely talented in this medium it is fascinating to think about their genius and intricate observations of the human spirit and how they go from ideas and perseverations to the presentation of it. I’m also fascinated by any medium that tells a story whether it’s books, TV, movies, plays, etc.

• Lying down flat on the ground outside. If the sun is not in my eyes, and bugs are not crawling all over me, this feels the most natural position to think about how insignificant I am and the expanse of the Earth and the Universe.

• Being at home with my family while everyone is entertaining themselves and we are just together. There is no better feeling and this one currently rarely happens. It makes me feel like I’ve done my job as a parent if they can find something to do on their own which again, is a rare occurence right now. Still, it has not lost it’s magical ability to make me feel validated in my life choices and know I’m exactly where I need to be. It always brings be back to earth.

• Reading and doing anything book-related like picking out books, going to bookstores, shopping for book related things. This goes back to the story-telling thing. I love a good narrative and how each one impacts my mind.

• Pickleball. Any indoor sport that is easy to pick-up is a fun way to move. I do like trying to get better at something I feel pretty comfortable with.

• Learning intricate details of a person’s life. I love auto-biographies but also knowing about the people around me. But I want to know mostly the deep cut material, not just the top hits but also, this is reserved for people that intrigue me so it’s definitely not everyone. I also love eavesdropping in public settings so watch out! I just want to know more about your life! I swear I’d read autobiographies of literal strangers, not just celebrities or famous people.

• Building Lego sets. The instruction manuals are the best part. I love following simplistic steps and being told exactly how to approach a task.

• Walking forever in cities. Energizing.

• Eating. I’m not going to get into the details of a good meal but how do I eat 3 times a day and NEVER get bored with it and ALWAYS get excited? And it’s not just eating at a new place but even all my repeat basic meals! At this point, I’ve had 43,800 meals and I’m still SO excited that eating is a part of this life!

• Birds, I love them so much. It’s so fun to catch them going about their lives in their natural environments knowing they are living their magical lives according to natures organization without thinking about people. lol.

Okay so I’m sure there are other activities but I wanted to point out something I notice. None of these activities include pressure from others. None of them are things where I have to actually DO a lot, and if I do, I’m usually by myself. This tracks. I love no-pressure situations. I don’t enjoy doing any activity where there is pressure. Pressure may have pushed me to move forward in the past but one thing it has never been able to do is make me ENJOY anything! I will be writing more about forced vs organic experiences later but this is a helpful pattern to have seen.

One of the best things about getting older is the concept of choice and curation of your own life. These activities help me make the best choices for enjoyment and I will be able to spend more time doing them.

Maybe I’m actually not creative but an avid observer of creativity instead, dabbling in various mediums to enrich my mind. That feels more accurate. I used to describe myself as creative, but after further investigation, I don’t think I am. It’s difficult for me to come up with ideas. However, I will definitely appreciate other’s creativity and I am not beyond copying anyone’s good ideas either. I’ve always declared I am a hard-worker so bring them to me and I WILL reproduce it. 😉

My list is full of super chill activities. This makes it especially easy to continue appreciating and enjoying this wild life. No mountian climbing or deep sea diving for me! But if that is you, I hope you have lots of money, or at least a few easy activities that can tide you over until you book your next adventure!

So maybe, every once in awhile, we should all explore our lists of activities we still genuinely love to participate in and read it over to determine why. I’m just of the mindset now, that I don’t want to spend anymore time doing things that I don’t feel this way about, to the extent that is possible. So, go out and notice: What is it you enjoy? Do more of that! Certainly, still add new things in but let the awareness of how you feel during the activity help you know if it’s something you want to add to YOUR “Life is Awesome” soundtrack loop. Play, rewind, repeat and add a new song every now and then. 🙂