Weekly: For granted

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in Washington D.C. and Tokyo: spring is here!

These days, I live in California, but growing up in Canada, I remember so vividly what the first non-wintry day felt like. After so many months of cold, you begin to take it for granted, thinking it will last forever. Going through the motions of your daily routine, you grab the heavy winter jacket, put it on, and walk outside — only to be surprised that you no longer need it.

When things last, we start to take them for granted. This is how we are. Sometimes, like with the changing seasons, the world gently shakes us out of our complacency. Sometimes, though, the world violently jolts us the form of illness, loss, break-ups and challenges, and we realize too late that we were taking something good for granted.

We don't want to take the good in our lives for granted. How can we notice and appreciate what we have, here and now? That's what we're exploring in today's newsletter.

Have a beautiful weekend,
Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy

This Week

We're wired to adapt to the circumstances of our lives.

In some ways, this can be helpful. It's how we cope with difficult times and stay resilient. But in other ways, it can be detrimental. We adapt to what's good in our lives, which makes it harder to appreciate. It's a double-edged sword!

Here are a few practices you can use to gently shake yourself out of adaptation and into appreciation.

Think back to a past version of you (from 1, 2, 5, or 10 years ago.) Imagine that they could see your life now. What would they point out and marvel at? What would they find delightful, beautiful, or exciting?
Imagine a future version of you (from 10, 20, 30 years in the future.) What would happen if they came back to the present moment? What would they tell you to pay attention to and enjoy?
As you go through your day, pay attention to the people you talk to (family, friends, colleagues), the items you use (your car, your coffee machine) and the activities you do (shopping, watching a movie.) After each interaction, think to yourself, "What would my life be like if I didn't have this person, item or experience in it?" Reflect on it for a moment or two.

More Tips and Tools
1. The story you're telling — This week's animation: what stories might you be telling about this situation?

2. Enjoying the view — How to notice the good in your day.

3. The next step — If you feel stuck, try this.

4. Whatever happens, be kind — You need your own kindness.

5. Afraid of embarrassment — Don't let short-term feelings get in the way of long-term impact.

Or listen to the podcast episodes (Apple, Spotify) from this week!

Community

What is something you've been taking for granted lately?

"My family and friends.”

"A comfortable living space because it has been non stop raining here in LA and I feel very privileged to have housing during this time. The weather affects a lot of people's living situation and I have taken for granted that it doesn’t affect mine."

"The love and support of my partner during hard weeks."

“My body. I just got injured on Sunday and I miss walking. I see now that I take my body for granted and didn’t really think of how lucky I am to have my mobility.”

Read more