Parenting: Enjoying the finish line – happiness in the here and now
(Read article summary)Parenting can be a search for your kid's next milestone, rather than reveling in the happiness of the here and now, or that finish line of the moment.
A common happiness hurdle is the arrival fallacy. We think that we’ll be happy once we arrive at some destination: a new job, a new apartment, a promotion, whatever. But often, arriving doesn’t make us as happy as we expect.
That’s very true, and I struggle to remember it, and also to remind myself of what my father says so often: “Enjoy the process.”
Related: Are you a Helicopter Parent?
But this week I’ve also been reminding myself of one of my Secrets of Adulthood: the opposite of a profound truth is also true. Just as I should enjoy the process, and not wait for the happiness of crossing the finish line, I should also do the opposite, and revel in the happiness of crossing a finish line.
Too often, I don’t take the time to experience the satisfaction that comes from finishing. I turn immediately to the next thing I need to do, or the next finish line I need to cross, without pausing for a little moment of triumph.
For instance, if all goes according to plan, next Monday will mark a giant finish line for me. I’ve been working for months on a major overhaul of this blog, and on Monday, you’ll see the new and improved version. I hope you like it!
