Wool Goddess

One of the big changes I made last year was appreciating what I had and finding the joy within the ordinary. It’s part of my journey to embrace a more intentional, minimalist lifestyle. It started when I began to realise that my yarn habit may be more than just a harmless hobby. There’s a dopamine rush that comes with every purchase, a momentary satisfaction that keeps pulling me back for more. I’ve noticed that this habit is part of a broader pattern: searching outside myself for validation and comfort instead of tuning into what I truly need.

Have you ever wondered why the thrill of a new lipstick, a job promotion, or even a long-awaited holiday seems to fade so quickly? You’re not alone. This is due to a psychological phenomenon known as hedonic adaptation, which explains why our happiness tends to settle back to a baseline level regardless of life’s ups and downs. I first learned about this concept from Catherine Gray’s The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary. This insightful book explores how to find pleasure in the everyday and delves into the psychology behind our craving for big, exciting moments. It’s a favourite of mine, I’ve read it multiple times. Gray’s writing beautifully unpacks why we feel the need to buy new outfits for every event and shows how embracing simple, everyday joys can help us break free from anxious, consumer-driven mindsets.

One of the key ideas the book explores is the hedonic treadmill theory. This theory describes our constant desire for more once the initial excitement of a new purchase wears off. It explains why we keep buying the latest clothes, gadgets, and cars even when our current ones work perfectly fine. By understanding this cycle, we can start to appreciate life’s quieter pleasures and find lasting contentment in the ordinary.

What Is Hedonic Adaptation?

Hedonic adaptation, also known as the hedonic treadmill, is the human tendency to quickly return to a relatively stable level of happiness regardless of major positive or negative events or life changes. This means that whether you win the lottery or experience a breakup, your emotional state will eventually return to its baseline.

This concept was first explored by psychologists Philip Brickman and Donald T. Campbell in 1971. They observed that people’s happiness levels remain relatively constant over time, despite changes in fortune or circumstances. This is because we quickly adjust to new situations, no matter how good or bad they are.

Why Does Hedonic Adaptation Happen?

Hedonic adaptation occurs because of two primary psychological mechanisms:

1. Sensory Adaptation: Just like how you stop noticing a strong perfume after a few minutes, we get used to changes in our lives. A new car might feel magical at first, but eventually, it just becomes another way to get around.

2. Social Comparison: Humans naturally compare themselves to others. After achieving something great, like a promotion, we might start comparing ourselves to those even higher up, diminishing the joy we once felt.

The Impact of Hedonic Adaptation

Hedonic adaptation can have both positive and negative impacts:

Positive Side: It helps us cope with adversity, such as loss or failure, by gradually returning us to our emotional baseline.

Negative Side: It can make us feel perpetually dissatisfied, always chasing the next big thing in the hope that it will bring lasting happiness.

How to Outsmart Hedonic Adaptation

While hedonic adaptation is a natural part of human psychology, there are ways to mitigate its effects and maintain higher levels of happiness:

1. Practice Gratitude: Regularly reflecting on what you’re grateful for can help you appreciate the positive aspects of your life. Keeping a gratitude journal is a great way to make this a habit.

2. Pursue Experiences, Not Things: Research suggests that experiences, such as travel or attending events, bring more lasting happiness than material possessions because they create cherished memories.

3. Cultivate Mindfulness: Being present in the moment enhances appreciation and reduces the tendency to compare. Mindfulness meditation can be particularly effective.

4. Focus on Growth and Purpose: Engaging in activities that contribute to personal growth, meaningful work, or helping others provides deeper, more enduring satisfaction.

5. Vary Your Routine: Small changes in daily routines can keep experiences feeling fresh and exciting, counteracting the dulling effects of adaptation.

Final Thoughts

Hedonic adaptation is a powerful reminder of the human capacity to adapt to change, both good and bad. By understanding how it works, we can take proactive steps to counteract its effects and create a more fulfilling life.

Remember, lasting happiness isn’t about avoiding adaptation altogether but learning how to adapt in ways that enrich your life.

Do you search outside of yourself for validation and comfort instead of tuning into what you truly need?

Try and make small micro changes to adapt just like I have been doing.

Let me know how you get on.

Love and hugs