I saw this photo of Anthony Kiedis (the lead singer of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers) on Twitter the other day.
It was basically this post about how incredible he looks for 62-years-old, considering all the stuff he’s done in his life (I’ll let you assume what those things are for yourself).
There were quite a few comments on the post recognising the fact that maybe just havin’ a good old time actually makes you live longer.
I think there might be something to it.
The Good Times Never Come
Somewhere along the way, we’ve all come up with this blueprint that’s supposed to lead to a happy life.
Good job, lots of money, nice house, kids (I guess?) — all milestones that will bring us an overwhelming sense of joy and accomplishment when we finally achieve them.
The thing is, our obsession with these milestones is pretty much the sole reason why so many of us struggle to live in the present moment (me included).
We’re always working towards or waiting for the good thing, rather than making now the good thing.
This is what Western culture has taught us.
Offsetting your happiness to a later date is much easier than finding happiness in the present moment.
When all you’re focusing on is the milestone (the future), you’re much more likely to fall into and accept a daily routine that doesn’t fulfil you in the present.
Commuting, small talk, unfulfilling conversations, unhealthy food, lack of physical movement — all sacrifices we tell ourselves we’re okay with because they’ll lead to that thing that will finally make us happy (more money, a fancy car etc.)
But if I’ve learnt anything, it’s that good times never come — they’re either here or they’re not.
And when you haven’t experienced these good times for a while, it begins to show.
You Have To Start Thinking About Your Aura
Do you guys remember that Roald Dahl book The Twits?
It revolves around the main characters, Mr. and Mrs. Twit, who are described as ‘physically repugnant’, largely due to their vile personalities.
“If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until it gets so ugly you can hardly bear to look at it.”
Roald Dahl
Dahl contrasts this by saying that good thoughts will shine through a person’s face, making them more beautiful, regardless of their physical features.
Aura is actually real, guys.
Whatever created us somehow made energy a physical feature, whether or not we’re actually aware of it.
Constantly doing stuff we hate actually makes us uglier, both mentally and physically.
Bold statement, I know, but science backs it up.
Happiness Actually Makes Us Live Longer
“A joyful heart is good medicine.”
Proverbs 17:22
I was actually pretty surprised just how much information is out there on this topic, with studies consistently highlighting the profound impact doing the things you like can have on your physical and mental well-being.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development found that joy and strong relationships are key predictors of health and longevity, while research by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (the author of Flow, which I highly recommend) shows that engaging in enjoyable activities, or “flow,” boosts life satisfaction (I promise the flow state will change your life).
Hold on, I got even more.
The Framingham Heart Study showed just how contagious happiness can be, spreading through social networks and actually lifting people up around you (this is why the circle you surround yourself with is so important).
And studies like the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index confirm that people who prioritise activities that bring them joy live healthier, more productive lives with reduced stress and illness.
So yes, just havin’ a good ol’ time can actually make you live a longer, healthier life.
This was a common theme on the Netflix Documentary Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones which, again, I highly recommend watching.
The host travelled to the five blue zones, which are regions where people live abnormally longer lives than the average person.
But they’re not just living, they’re thriving.
I’m talking 100-year-olds in Okinawa Japan still doing the bloody gardening!!
In each of the regions, there were strong connections between happiness, community, and longevity.
They all smiled often, ate good food, played games together and kept physically active.
They’re just having a damn good time over there, and it shows.
So What Does That Say About Hustle Culture?
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”
Mark Black
I’ve spent much of my 20s treading the line between hustling and a life of simplicity.
A balance between the two is hard to obtain, and a balance will leave both areas lacking in some way.
I think the first step to finding that balance is being comfortable with the fact that, at times, the balance will be way out of whack.
Some weeks you’ll be working hard and stressing yourself out, others you’ll be relaxing, feeling a bit lazy and wondering if you’re doing enough in life.
That’s all part of the process.
But man, I think we’re really underestimating the power of just having a good time.
If something might not benefit you in the future, but it’d make you really happy right now, just let yourself indulge in it for a bit.
I would always be so strict on myself, and never let myself do this.
But I’m learning that the real skill is allowing yourself to indulge, and having the ability to get back on track straight away.
What would make you really, really happy in this moment?
Think hard.
Then just do it.
I’m gonna go make myself another double espresso even though I’ve already had one and it’ll make me all jittery later.
Present moment for the win!!!
