Life’s unpredictability is what makes it a fascinating journey, filled with unexpected twists and turns. As we journey through our lives, it becomes increasingly evident that not every day will be a masterpiece. Some days are just average, while others seem to be downright challenging. There are days when you yearn for the simplicity of a carefree existence, akin to a dog, a cat, or even a cow grazing peacefully on the grass. On some occasions, you find yourself simply counting down the hours, waiting for the day to come to a close.
Yet, amidst this rollercoaster of experiences, there are those days that feel like you’re floating on cloud nine, days when life seems like a captivating story, and days when you can’t help but feel proud to be part of the human race. There is no foolproof formula or crystal ball that can predict how each day will unfold. You may have preconceived notions about how it will play out, but reality often surprises us with its beauty or challenges.
I used to be incredibly naive and innocent, believing that the days ahead would always be filled with unending happiness. However, as reality sets in, you come to realize that true happiness may only grace you for a few minutes or perhaps a bit longer during the day. One of my all-time favorite KDramas, “Liberation Notes” (a slice of life), features a poignant moment when the lead character shares,
In the past, I had the impression that she wasn’t experiencing much happiness, possibly due to the challenges of her work, and I couldn’t help but find it amusing. However, with time, I came to understand that these little moments that bring us joy are the very essence of what makes each of us and our days unique.
During my journey of figuring things out, I stumbled upon something pretty cool—the way our brains work, especially with this thing called dopamine. Learning about this not only helped me make sense of why our moods can be all over the place but also why even on really hard days, there can be moments that make us unexpectedly happy.
I’m an avid listener, especially when it comes to individuals like Dr. Andrew Huberman. He’s an outstanding expert who generously shares his profound insights on a wide range of topics, including neurology, the brain, sleep, hormones, etc. I remember tuning in to one of his podcasts dedicated to the intricate world of dopamine.
When something enjoyable happens, like having a delicious meal or winning a game, your brain releases dopamine, which makes you feel happy and motivated. But here’s the catch: after this burst of happiness, your brain needs to return to its normal mood level, like a seesaw going back to a balanced position. This return to normal is what we call the “dopamine crash. It’s when you might feel a bit down or less excited after the fun experience ends.
This is entirely normal and happens because our brains are designed to maintain balance. Over time, if we have too many intense “ups” with lots of dopamine, our brain can get used to it, and we might need even more excitement to feel the same happiness. So, remember, ups and downs are a part of life, and our brains are pretty good at handling them.
After listening those podcast and reading stuff, I had a bit of a moment that explained why sometimes, after a truly shitty day (yes, the kind that makes you laugh), I end up feeling surprisingly good. It turns out our emotions are quite a puppet show, orchestrated by some brain chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, cortisol, etc. These days, I’ve ditched the habit of labeling them as “good” or “bad. Instead, I see them as just… well, days. No judgments, no labels—just days, plain and simple.
I’m wrapping up this article with a beautiful Tamil verse by Yathiri, and the highlighted word adds up to the original one.
எல்லா நாட்களுக்கும் (உறவுக்கும்) ஏதாவது பெயர் வைத்தே ஆகவேண்டுமா என்ன ? சும்மா விடேன். அதன்போக்கில் இருந்துவிட்டுப் போகட்டும். -யாத்திரி
Cheers!
PS: Experimenting with Color palette & Gradients
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