Last night, I went to the cinema to watch The Odyssey.

It was OK. There were some good parts, some boring parts. I’d give it a 6.5/10, but I had a 10/10 time.

Why?

Because it was movie night with my mum.

Every month or so, we head into town, go for a walk, eat some grilled chicken (Nando’s—the most British non-British restaurant in the world), then drown in an inappropriate amount of popcorn. It’s one of our favourite nights together.

The movie does not really matter, just the meaning behind it.

I used to think life was about chasing big wins. But the older I get, the more I appreciate how much joy you can get from simple moments.

Going to the cinema with my mum is one.

Some others include:

• Meditating outside in the morning
• Going for a walk in nature with my friends
• The first cup of English tea as I sit to write (and the six that follow in quick succession).
• Hitting the gym at 11 am after finishing deep work
• Kicking back on the sofa (or in a park) to read a good book
• Walking the streets of a new city and enjoying a solo dinner (I love eating alone and watching the world go by)

Over the past year, I’ve tried to be more present in these things. In the past, I used to be in such a perpetual state of hurry that my mind would always be on the next task. But I noticed that I always felt discontent, which was driving my need to do more, which was making me more discontent.

That’s a pretty dumb loop, and breaking it has been important.

The key has been gratitude.

Not ‘write 3 things in my journal get on with my day’ kinda gratitude. But daily conversations with friends about what is good in life. Thinking about how lucky we are to be healthy. Reflecting on the fact we’re going to die.

…You know, the good stuff.

If you can take joy in the small things, you become less attached to the big. You still strive, but not from a place of need. It’s from a place of want, and that is a much cleaner energy. I’ve found it easier to go after my dreams when I know that, ‘win or lose’, I already have what makes me most happy.

So let me ask you:

What are the simple pleasures that fill you with joy?

Life is made of these moments—don’t forget to let them in.

To your freedom,

Kieran