Using the “nice” things, especially if they’re tools for hobbies/chores I spend a lot of time doing. I cook a lot, and got myself a nice chef knife a few years ago. It makes prep just a little bit more enjoyable, and I feel like that’s actually added up to quite a bit of happiness over time! I don’t mean to recommend that anyone go ham upgrading everything indiscriminately, and I don’t think a nice thing necessarily has to be the best or most expensive; maybe it’s even something you already own. I’m using the nice dinnerware knowing I will definitely break or chip everything eventually, and I’m wearing the nice clothes until they snag and stain instead of saving them for a moment that might not come.
It’s definitely a treat! As someone living in a really cluttered home, it really makes a distinction to use the “nice” item for a change. It’s about focusing on the now rather than hoping there’ll be a better time.
Recently, I realized some markers had dried up and didn’t even get to use them once! Or the time the cool stickers didn’t even stick…
It has somewhat changed my perspective of the stuff I really want to keep, and what I keep because I feel obligated to.
