Embracing Simplicity: Finding Joy in the Mundane

I never really thought of myself as a boring person.

Oh sure, my “excitement” for the week is that I Spring-cleaned my car, but with hauling out the shop vac while upbeat music blared on my bluetooth speaker, it didn’t feel tedious at all — I’m quite satisfied with my accomplishment. Happy and fulfilled. I have an answer to the question, “Have you done anything fun lately?” What’s more, it’s a nice and accessible answer that most people can easily relate to, thus leading into deeper conversations.

However, at one point during the last year, I was given the strong impression that I was considered boring. I drive very conservatively, and go to bed at the same time every night. I don’t follow politics, or debate anyone about anything. Alcohol? Yeah, I’ve decided that I’m probably never going to drink again, because it makes me feel yucky and I don’t enjoy it.

Which I guess makes me boring by some standards.

Not that I’m ever bored. I have plenty to do and think about. So much so, that I don’t really have the time to prove that I’m not boring.

This topic crossed my mind today as I was thinking about my life — specifically where I am and how I got here. Disentangling my thoughts from his.

And I like simplicity. I like boring. I like predictable. I like using my shop vac to suck out the dirt of winter from my car, then shampoo all the seats. Maybe I’ll even pick up an air freshener the next time I’m at the grocery store and feel excited about it. Yup, that’s me, easily amused. Go ahead and make fun of me all you want.

Because at least I never feel bored. At least I don’t feel like I have to prove anything.