The Beauty of Impermanence

Earlier today, I was lying on my workout matt, ruminating on the sour place I find myself in. From being paid peanuts and working overtime, to interpersonal tensions, to the uncertainty of the future brought on by the corona virus pandemic, compounded by the uncertainty in my heart for what it is that I want, my thoughts took a pretty dark turn.

But then, I remembered that life is like a tapestry that is being ever-sewed. In that way, there are pockets of joy, too, like breathing in the fresh air of sunny Los Angeles, spending precious time with my wise and humble dad, seeing my boyfriend’s name pop up on my phone screen, etc.

And so, I remind myself that everything is temporary. This is a twofold, bittersweet gift that can help us in both the good times and the bad times. In the bad times, remembering that everything is temporary is a comforting reminder that things will change, and that at least by virtue of playing the cards we are dealt, we can in part shape how our future unfolds. In the good times, remembering the temporary nature of life encourages us to cherish every moment, every period, because it won’t last forever. If every moment was a sunset, the sunset wouldn’t be as exquisite, the knowledge that the flowers in our vase will eventually die make them evermore lovely, and if the seasons never altered, we wouldn’t relish in each one in quite the same way. Just knowing that something is temporary makes each moment sweeter. We humans tend to adapt quickly, and its why things will never make us happy – they will stick around long enough to disappoint us. It’s experiences that we should invest in because they are fleeting enough to leave us with memories that will last a lifetime.

Of course, this is not to say that everything that remains will disappoint us – like our jobs, significant others, etc. But knowing that we are prone to hedonic adaptation, the phenomenon in which things that once brought us pleasure may eventually bring us less excitement as time wears on, is a reminder to actively appreciate what we have. And so, my friend, perhaps use this as a reminder to keep things fresh and vital in your relationships and at work.