In this day and age, it may seem like if you’re not consistently on the move, you’re doing something wrong. If you happen to take a nap when you should be studying, you’re doing it wrong. If you decide to watch rom-com movies instead of reading that philosophy book you said you were going to read last week, you’re definitely doing it wrong.
When it seems like there’s always something better that one can be doing in a set moment, it puts into question if what we’re doing right now is truly meaningful to us at all. Man, gotta love existential questions, am I right? It really makes you think.
But in all seriousness, life shouldn’t have to feel like a due date that you're always trying to meet. You don’t have to be busy all the time to feel like you’re doing something meaningful. Here’s my take on finding importance in the mundane things, even when there could be “better” things to focus on.
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If you’re like me and love to read, you may have experienced moments when life does become too busy. So much so that there isn’t a stretch of time to fit into your schedule for anything, let alone reading a book. Life does happen, and the things that you love to do may not always be top priority, especially if you’re a college student.
Free time in college is like seeing rain in a dry, barren desert—a foreign concept once actually realized seems way too good to be true. Not to mention, when there is said free time, it feels guilty to even indulge in eating cookie-and-cream ice cream or hanging out with a friend.
Society has become such a hustle-bustle culture that we start to forget about ourselves and the ones around us. We start to betray our own mental health and well-being in order to meet the demands of the future we’re not even in yet. You see where the problem lies?
Once I got to college, I started to realize that this couldn’t work for me. If I wanted to keep up with my own well-being, I needed to develop a balance that I was comfortable with. So that is why I started to prioritize my mental health by finding true joy in doing the boring things.
You’re probably wondering, "Well, Destiny, how does one romanticize the mundane?"
Well, I thought you would never ask!
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Do the Seemingly “Boring” Thing
The answer to that question is actually easier than you may think. The boring things in your life might just be something so minuscule that you’re not even seeing it as important. Take walking to classes on campus, for example; this little thing seems boring on the surface, but when you look at those small moments from a different lens, you start to realize how important they actually are.
Oftentimes, on (usually lengthy) walks to my classes, I like to stop and take in my surroundings. Sometimes, I see geese along my path, squirrels too—rushing by with their bushy tails swaying haphazardly behind them. (It’s too cute, honestly.) At these moments, I am being completely present. For one, I’m not hunched over my desk worrying about an assignment that’s due in the next few days. Instead, I am focusing on the world around me.
I know. I know. This may seem like nothing at first, but it’s actually a way to romanticize the mundane.
The mundane—in my scenario—is watching geese wobble and scream at each other (not to mention, sidestepping endless mounds of droppings on the ground). It’s funny, in my own way; I guess I am doing something important: making it my duty not to step in geese poop.
Just walking around without distractions is a profound way to engage in self-care (try it one day)! If you live on a college campus, just leave your dorm space and go outside. Touch grass—as they say—and walk somewhere with no destination; let your feet lead the way. Of course, don’t go too far off campus that you wouldn’t find your way back.
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Romanticizing the mundane is what levels out the struggles of life. When I focus too much on trying to make the future me happy, I tend to disregard the present me. But in order for the future me to be happy, I had to change my mindset. The future me couldn’t be happy if the present me isn’t.
Rest is Important
By trying to meet the demands of the future, we forget how essential sleep is. Before college, I truly didn’t understand the gravity of the traditional phrase, “Make sure you get your 8 hours of sleep!” I faced a huge wake-up call once I realized 6 hours of sleep wasn’t going to cut it if I wanted to be focused and engaged in my classes. Sleep is important, guys...even if it’s a nap! (Those things are life-changers.)
I understand. I understand how it can feel unproductive to indulge in sleep instead of working on a high-stakes assignment. To “waste” hours in a day sleeping when one can be doing something more “important”.
But, on the contrary, sleeping is still highly important. In order to put our best energy into our assignments, relationships, and ourselves, we need to sleep. Sleeping forces our body to relax and reach a state of equilibrium, allowing us to gain the strength needed to pursue the tasks of the day. If we’re constantly drowsy and have a facade similar to that of a non-human, brain-eating zombie, how can we truly focus on the future? The future is there, but in order for us to actually sustain it, we must first sustain ourselves.
Slip in a “Side-quest”
It’s officially summertime (depending on when you’re reading this). There is no better time than now to partake in some activity that’s not staying in the house all the time. Trust me, I know bed-rotting is real, but indulging in this bad habit is not healthy for the body, soul, and mind.
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The word “side-quest” has somehow found its way into Gen Z vernacular. Though, it’s just really a catchy way to refer to something as a "spontaneous activity”. Which is to engage in an act that isn’t “usually” done all the time; a thing that is completely separate from your original goal or responsibility. When you’re completing a side-quest, you’re doing so voluntarily.
So, where am I getting at with this whole side-quest spiel? Don’t worry, I’ll tell ya.
Side-quests give us the option to break out of that monotony. Instead of running on auto-pilot or stuck on a bust mindset, you trust in spontaneity. Spontaneity is your friend here, guys.
It wants nothing more than to help release stress and not put all of your energy into one thing. It helps to give you peace of mind.
So, if your friends ask you to go on a little side-quest with them, say yes. Even if it’s just for an hour. Your body will thank you.
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Final Thoughts
I hope this article inspired you to appreciate the little things in life. What seemingly “small” things are important in your own life, and how might being busy all the time affect them?
Side note: focusing on our future is still really important. Who doesn’t want to see themselves succeed? That should be a given. Just in the process of working towards your goals, don’t forget to take care of yourselves.
