Summary of Why Everyday Luxuries Help Make Us Happier:
The author discusses the concept of luxury and how it can improve feelings of comfort and pleasure. They ask readers for their favorite everyday luxuries and provide a list of examples. Luxuries can be small and inexpensive, and they can delight the senses. The author emphasizes the importance of recognizing and appreciating these everyday luxuries. They also mention how luxuries can be used as treats to boost self-command and maintain healthy habits. Additionally, the author emphasizes the importance of giving ourselves luxuries rather than relying on others to provide them.
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Summary:
– Luxuries, even small everyday ones, can greatly enhance our feelings of comfort and pleasure.
– Giving ourselves treats and healthy luxuries can boost our self-command and help us maintain good habits.
– Luxuries stimulate our senses and bring us a sense of vitality.
– It’s important to appreciate and not take everyday luxuries for granted.
– There are many simple and affordable everyday luxuries that can make our lives more enjoyable and fulfilling.
Why Everyday Luxuries Help Make Us Happier
Luxuries are often associated with expensive and extravagant indulgences. We imagine luxurious vacations, designer clothes, and lavish dinners at fancy restaurants. But what if I told you that luxuries don’t have to be grand or unattainable? In fact, everyday luxuries can greatly enhance our feelings of comfort, pleasure, and happiness.
In her memoir “Plant Dreaming Deep,” poet May Sarton mused about her idea of luxury – having flowers in the house all year round. This simple statement caught my imagination and got me thinking about my own definition of luxury. I realized that for me, luxury means buying books instead of borrowing them from the library, ordering a soft drink in a restaurant, or splurging on a set of high-quality magic markers or stickers. These seemingly modest luxuries bring me great joy and satisfaction.
Curious to hear from others, I reached out to readers and listeners to find out what their favorite everyday luxuries are. What surprised me was that many of the luxuries they mentioned don’t cost much, or anything at all. It made me realize that enjoying even a modest “luxury” can dramatically boost our feelings of comfort and pleasure.
What’s more, I discovered that labeling certain things as luxuries can enhance our enjoyment of them. I never considered crushed ice, an electric kettle, or frothy milk as luxuries before, but now that I’ve given them this label, I appreciate and enjoy them even more.
In my book “Better Than Before,” I outline 21 strategies for making or breaking habits, and one of the most popular strategies is what I call the “Strategy of Treats.” Giving ourselves treats is a powerful way to boost our self-command and maintain our healthy habits. When we indulge in a treat, we feel energized, cared for, and contented, which enhances our ability to stick to our goals.
On the other hand, when we deprive ourselves of treats, we begin to feel burned-out, depleted, and resentful. We enter a state of mind that isn’t conducive to maintaining good habits. This is why it’s essential to identify healthy treats and luxuries that we can give ourselves.
But what sets luxuries apart from ordinary treats? Luxuries offer more than just a momentary pleasure; they engage our senses and bring us a sense of vitality. They delight our eyes with beautiful sights, our noses with fragrances, our tongues with delicious flavors, our skin with pleasant textures, and our ears with soothing sounds.
When we experience these luxuries every day, they can sometimes fade into the background and become taken for granted. We forget how much we love the view from our big window or how grateful we are for the convenience of our electric kettle. Therefore, it’s crucial to remind ourselves of the little luxuries that bring us joy and not let them go unnoticed.
Reading the responses from readers and listeners, I was amazed at the variety of everyday luxuries they mentioned. Some of the favorites included having a humidifier in the bedroom, using high-quality body lotion, sleeping on silk pillowcases or wearing a cozy sleeping mask, enjoying a cup of coffee or tea in a favorite mug, and having an end-of-day ritual such as reading or watching the sunset.
Other luxuries mentioned were being in nature, near water, or in a forest, indulging in good food, a glass of wine, and deep conversations with loved ones, and treating oneself to a chocolate chip cookie at the end of the day.
It’s interesting to note that many of these luxuries cost very little or nothing at all. Luxuries don’t have to involve reckless consumerism; they can be simple, affordable, and yet incredibly satisfying.
Luxuries also make excellent gift ideas, especially for under-buyers who tend to resist buying things for themselves. By giving someone a luxurious item, we not only enhance their daily life but also give them a sense of being cared for and cherished.
In the words of Jorge Luis Borges, “So you plant your garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.” If flowers are your idea of luxury, you can buy yourself a bouquet and brighten your own day.
Remember Émilie du Châtelet’s wise words: “Let us choose for ourselves our path in life, and let us try to strew that path with flowers.” Each of us has the power to sprinkle our lives, not just with flowers, but with everyday luxuries that bring us joy, comfort, and a sense of well-being.
So, I encourage you to think about a modest splurge or upgrade that could make your routine easier or simply make your day more enjoyable. Consider the small luxuries that bring you delight, whether it’s a warm cup of coffee in a favorite mug, a walk alone in nature, or the comforting scent of a candle. When we give more to ourselves, we can ask more from ourselves – and that leads to happier, healthier lives.
Let us not underestimate the power of everyday luxuries to uplift our spirits and enhance our well-being. These simple pleasures, chosen wisely, have the potential to transform our lives, bringing us increased happiness, contentment, and gratitude. So, go ahead, indulge in your own everyday luxuries and let them brighten your path.
