“Forever is composed of nows.” - Emily Dickinson
I'll be happy on my birthday, when I get that perfect grade, when I get into my dream college, when I graduate, when I’m on the perfect vacation; these are things that we tell ourselves every day, almost unknowingly. And when that moment arrives, we look for the next goal to reach that will supposedly make us ‘happy’.
Happiness is defined as an enduring state of mind consisting not only of feelings of joy, contentment, and other positive emotions, but also of a sense that one's life is meaningful and valued (Lyubomirsky 2001). It is a highly sought after state of being.
The myth that happiness can only be felt when we experience extraordinary things is among the causes of rising unhappiness, especially among young people.
In the age of technology, we are hyper aware of the state of the world. Constant newsfeeds on phones make tragedies occurring on another continent feel as though they are happening in our bedrooms, leading to moral fatigue. Looking for happiness in these times seems nothing less than a strenuous ordeal.
This is where I introduce you to casual magic. This is a term coined by YouTuber Jade Bowler to describe the simplicities of life that bring joy or gratitude. Seeing a beautiful sunset on a walk, spotting a pretty bird, having an endearing conversation with a friend, spending time with your dog, laughing at a silly joke your father made, are all examples of casual magic. These are small moments where we stop and feel gratitude. Doing this can make your stressful day a little more manageable.
However, casual magic doesn’t just happen, it is created. It needs to be wielded. A conscious effort to look for beauty in the mundane. This can have a deeply profound impact on you.
My casual magic: The gorgeous sky from my balcony
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
In the paper “Happiness from Ordinary and Extraordinary Experiences”, Bhattacharjee and Mogilner (2013) investigate which life experiences are believed to bring us the highest degree of happiness and fulfilment, and the impact of age in determining what the primary sources of joy are. To answer the question of how individuals should select experiences in order to enjoy the greatest happiness, they identify “a dimension along which experiences vary” or the extent to which an experience is ordinary or extraordinary: “We define ordinary experiences as those that are common, frequent, and within the realm of everyday life. Extraordinary experiences, on the other hand, are uncommon, in-frequent, and go beyond the realm of everyday life.”
The paper concludes stating that "the appreciation of mundane moments may lead to higher and more enduring happiness than the thrill that great and once-in-a-lifetime experiences may bring".
I first came across this concept in Jade Bowler’s videos (known as Unjaded Jade on the internet). She makes content related to learning and productivity, and motivates people to live fuller lives. She passionately advocates for casual magic and the impact it can have on people. I too try to practise this habit and urge you to do the same.
Rather than waiting for the big things to happen, you can appreciate the beauty in the little things which happen every single day.
So, in a world which forces you to hustle, I hope that you stop and look around.
Maybe you’ll find some casual magic.
By Sharanya Rao (G11)
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