Don't fall into the hedonic adaptation trap
Hey Freaking Nomads,
Hope your week has been full of awesome things.
Mine was great... but. There is a "but", or there isn't? Let me explain.
The other day, I was sitting on this awesome secluded beach here in Boa Vista (Cape Verde), watching this insane natural pool. No tourists, no people. Just me and this unbelievable place. I mean, look at it yourself:
It was one of those postcard-perfect landscapes, the kind that should make you catch your breath. But honestly? I was kinda just... there. Scrolling through my phone, half-heartedly admiring the view.
And it hit me: I've been in paradise for weeks now, and it's starting to feel... normal. Wait, how can that be possible? I thought to myself: "Luca, are you insane or what?". We are all surviving and trying to get more of these WOW moments, and how can't you appreciate them every nanosecond of your life when you get one of those?
That got me thinking that even when I spoke to other digital nomads, we all have this tendency of chasing the next "most beautiful place.
But what if we're missing out on the awesome stuff right in front of us? Have we gotten so used to amazing experiences that they don't feel special anymore?
I'm starting to wonder if that's what's happening to me here. Have I gotten so comfortable in Boa Vista that I'm not really appreciating it? Am I so busy thinking about where to go next that I'm forgetting to enjoy where I am now?
It's a bit of a bummer, to be honest, and I feel like I shouldn't even feel like this. It feels like some privileged BS.
But I bet some of you guys can relate.
Apparently, in psychology, this thing exists, and it's called hedonic adaptation (or hedonic treadmill). The theory is that we tend to “get used to” events or stimuli that elicit emotional responses so, after a certain point, any major events (good or bad) don't have a lasting effect (positive or negative) on our overall happiness. Basically, we get used to stuff after a certain point, whether they are happy or sad.
I actually talked about a similar behavior in a previous newsletter, where I shared how easy it is to lose sight of the amazing life we once dreamed about when it actually becomes our "new normal".
So, what's the solution to this? Let's figure out how to break out of this funk and start appreciating the amazing places we get to experience.
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." - Marcel Proust
Inspired by this timeless quote, here are a few things I'm trying out to shake things up and get back to that feeling of wonder:
- Mindful Moments: When I have a few minutes each day, I'm trying to just be where I am. No phone, no distractions, just soaking it all in.
- Slow Down: Instead of rushing around trying to see everything, I'm trying to pick one or two things a day and really experience them.
- New Eyes: I try new activities, explore different parts of the places I visit, and talk to locals to get a fresh perspective. After talking to a few people, I soon realised how privileged I am to be living this crazy lifestyle. So, I quickly start appreciating everything again.
- Gratitude: Again, I just remind myself how lucky we are to be where we are. It's easy to forget when you're caught up in the day-to-day tasks of your work, so I'm training myself to just practice a bit more gratitude every day.
Have you guys ever felt hedonic adaptation? What are your thoughts on this? How do you usually go about it? Hit REPLY - I'd love to hear your tips and learn how you all stay present and appreciate your journey.
Hope you see you around Freaking Nomads,
Luca
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