Working hard to achieve is enjoyable. But how do we combat the sensation that we’re in a hamster wheel or on a treadmill with no end point? I learned from my course with Dr. Santos we can practice measures to counter hedonic adaptation.
Over the next few weeks I’ll be posting about practices that can be employed to counter hedonic adaptation.
Today’s Strategy: SAVORING
Psychologist Sonja Lyubomirsky’s research has shown if we recall events from our past that are positive and replay them in our minds, doing so will cultivate positive emotions for us today.
For the next three days, set a timer for 8 minutes and play back positive memories as if they were a story being retold.
I have been savoring a classic climb at Smith Rock with my friend JR. We’d been planning to climb the North Ridge of Mt Stuart for many months having exchanged hundreds of texts and emails outlining all of the details. However when the time came to climb it snowed heavily and we knew it was beyond our abilities to safely climb in those conditions. Instead, we decided to take a detour to Smith Rock. We ended up climbing some super fun routes including this classic “Wherever I May Roam” and we also got to meet Alan Watts and chat with him while we climbed at the same crag for a few hours. Remembering this trip made me think about what an incredible climbing partner JR has been on so many occasions. We share the same temperament about climbing in that we want to be challenged but we are mainly there to chill and have fun. There’s no ego sparring, competitive vibe, or ditching which is so commonplace in climbing. And we both insist upon rest days with top notch food on every trip.
I’d like to invite you to share with me how you practice or plan to practice savoring. Stay tuned for more strategies!