Let me ask you something: what are you excited about in your life?
This is a question I have been asking people a lot lately.
Usually, when I first ask this, it stops people in their tracks. They have to actually think about it. It almost seems a strange question to ask a grown adult.
It’s a curious thing, but as adults, we seem to lack this characteristic. Although we often plan for and look forward to things, there is a distinct lack of excitement about them. More than this, we seem to repress our excitement, as if it might offend someone.
Why is this, I wonder?
Lately, I have had a lot of momentum in my life. Lots of speaking engagements, new business opportunities, and a new romance that has caught me pleasantly by surprise.
Because of these fortuitous happenings, I have noticed that I have been using the phrase ‘I’m excited’ a lot more than I used to.
This has led me to an interesting discovery: getting excited about things in my life is directly linked to my sense of happiness. The more I am excited, the happier I feel.
It seems that being ‘excited’ isn’t something a ‘normal’ person over the age of 13 experiences. Most of us get very excited about life when we are young children. But it seems the ability diminishes as we grow up. Somehow, we become less ‘excited’ by the life we live.
I remember reading years ago that the reason time moves faster as an adult is because we aren’t learning as much. As children, we are constantly experiencing new things, and learning from the world. Childhood is such an immersive experience that time seems to slow.
As adults, we get used to the world around us, and it begins to become rote. We take for granted the simple things that used to fascinate and excite us.
But this ability to be excited never really leaves us. We just need to exercise the muscle. We just need to remember it’s ok to be excited about things in life.
When you focus on the things you are excited about in your life (whether you are experiencing them now, or in the near future) I guarantee you’ll feel a burst of happiness.
Life is exciting, only to the degree we decide it to be.
That is very true, it is like my writing.
Yes, that is what is so wonderful about it! So proud of you <3
I’m excited about our future housewarming party, finishing my “Lady Lounge,” and working towards passing my CPC exam on the 25th!
That’s awesome Laura!! And I bet when you think about those things you are excited about they make you feel happier… am I right?
Have to confess that I don’t really get excited about things any more. I feel that responsibilities and committments sometime take over to the point where actually enjoying everything you do or getting excited about it, doesn’t really happen. I counter this by doing something I enjoy every day.
Thanks for your comment, Barbara. I think it takes a personal approach to this topic. For me, I am a very forward focused person so I think I assume everyone feels the same about getting excited. Perhaps you are right that for some it is better to focus on what they enjoy. Always enjoy your perspective 🙂 – DMS