Do you have Vorfreude?
Translated from German, Vorfreude means “the anticipation of joy,” and frankly, we could use more of it.
When speaking of vorfreude, clinical psychologist Dr. Sophie Mort says, “The idea is to find joy in the lead-up to an event.” We all know how good it feels to look forward to seeing someone we love, a planned vacation, or our favorite meal. Looking forward to something is a natural booster of mood and optimism, and with optimism comes benefits, including improved immune function, effective coping strategies, and positive relationships.
If you’re like me, the first cup of morning coffee is especially enjoyable. With “Turn routine into ritual,” I look forward to sitting with my cup, feeling grateful for the day ahead, the sleep I got the night before, and enhanced enjoyment of the dark roast blend.
Some of my clients live in beautiful neighborhoods, and I “Come off autopilot” by taking time to enjoy the mature trees, the birdsongs, and the stillness. I look forward to being fully in the moment in such surroundings that are soothing to my spirit.
These two examples are included in this Guardian article outlining 30 ways to make vorfreude—the anticipation of joy, part of our daily lives.
What are some steps that resonate with you and that you currently do? Are there any you’d like to try?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/apr/09/the-vorfreude-secre...
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Slipstream
This is such an uplifting article. There are so many things in the jam-packed list of ideas. I look forward to my morning coffee and afternoon tea and gratitude time especially when it's in the garden. I double my pleasure by working in the yard which also gives me exercise that I don't get sitting in front of my computer.
The list has given me several ideas on how to find joy in some very simple activities. Thanks so much for posting it!
Faithville
♥️
Evangel
I didn't know there was a term for it, but when I realized that life was starting to feel like one very long continuous day, I figured out that the best way to separate one day from the next was to have different small pleasures baked into each day and looking forward to each one. It's the one thing that makes me feel like I'm on vacation despite my ongoing workload. Top of my list: cake at tea time, sitting by the fountain listening to Spanish guitar music, working out by tending to the yard.
It's nice to know there are positive benefits—according to the article. So thanks for sharing.
Well Street
Those are enjoyable and effective ways to disrupt monotony and perpetually living in "the grind."