I know this is my website about songwriting and writing, but sometimes I just want to share basic stuff I’ve been pondering. Lately, I’ve been contemplating happiness.
A friend of mine who is a bit younger than me recently started studying retirement. I’ve been studying retirement for about 10 years now. I haven’t learned too much and don’t buy into most advice. But this little nugget aligned with my thoughts on life as I get older.
Don’t focus on what you’re retiring from, but what you want to retire to.
Lately, I’ve been making a mental list of things that make me immediately happy. Things like puppies, beaches, first snowfalls, ukuleles, nature walks, and manual transmissions.
I’ve been realizing some things. Being content and living a happy life is not hard. For the most part, it’s not material things that will make me happy. In fact, the opposite is likely true. Moving has convinced me that rather than having more of the stuff I think I want, I’m figuring out the things that bring me the most joy and will turn my focus on those alone.
Travel, events, connections, freedom: these things make me happy. It takes some “stuff” to live a life that you enjoy, but not too much. I’ve been making a list on my notes app, and the majority of things on my list are not things. I guess it goes back to minimalism.
Even as a songwriter, it’s the song that is really mine. I don’t need a ton of instruments and music equipment. In fact, I’ve often considered in the last few years that a single ukulele might be enough.
I’m not going to immediately give up everything I own. But I continue to have a deeper understanding of my path going forward. – dse
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