breadandbuttercreek t1_iyb5su2 wrote on November 30, 2022 at 2:20 AM

Reply to comment by shoobsworth in Psychological richness is 1 of 3 primary components of a good life, along with eudaimonia (meaning) and hedonia (pleasure). A psychologically rich life has varied experiences and perspective-changing moments that make life interesting. by Iaskquesti0ns

Nothing ever stays the same. Of course if you are seeking the good life you should always be trying to improve your situation, seeking new knowledge and experience, but routine provides the bedrock for happiness.

shoobsworth t1_iyb6aj0 wrote on November 30, 2022 at 2:23 AM

I agree to a degree. Routine is safe, familiar. It’s ritual.

That has meaning.

But it’s also paramount to break out of that from time to time. Go out of your comfort zone, have new experiences, throw a wrench in the machine.

gallaguy t1_iybvpci wrote on November 30, 2022 at 6:10 AM

I’ve started meditating every morning. I just set aside 5 minutes to sit down, close my eyes, breathe, then open my eyes and do 20 pushups, and I have to do it before I look at my phone. It helps me start each day with a sense of accomplishment and an appreciation for my immediate surroundings, and that in turn has allowed me to go into new experiences with a perspective that is more true to my current situation.

dvlali t1_iydb5iu wrote on November 30, 2022 at 3:38 PM

Yeah, and I have found that routine, if it is connected to a practice that can be deepened, like painting or a craft (and many other things), is actually a means to consistently have new experiences. It may seem on the surface like you do the same thing every day, but actually you encounter more and more the deeper you go. Like moving on the Z axis instead of the X and Y.