Sunday Journal Prompt

“Anticipation can give us equal or greater sense of joy and happiness as the event or item itself.”

– Jonathan Fields, author and podcaster, “The ARC of Happiness,” Good Life Project 

 

In our society rich with last-minute commitments, we may be depriving ourselves of joy. Research shows that anticipating a positive event such as a trip or outing with loved ones gives as much happiness—and sometimes more—than the event itself. Anticipation lights up the joy triggers in our brains, so when we sign up for a conference the day before it starts, buy concert tickets on the day of an event or purchase something with one click, we’re cutting down the window for anticipation.

As writer and podcaster Jonathan Fields says, postponing a commitment is “killing the ability to extend the amount of time that we get to play in that space of joyful anticipation.” However, by saying “yes” early on, we allow ourselves time to visualize how it will feel, taste, smell and fill us up. In two months, I’ll get to spend a weekend with my dear friends from high school, something I’ve been looking forward to. In anticipation of the trip, I’ve been researching restaurants and outing ideas as well as feeling energy when I think about how I’ll soon get to be with these long-standing friends who lift me up, make me laugh and offer unconditional love.

What joyful event are you considering committing to? How can boost your anticipatory window—and, thus, your happiness?