The Happiness Reset: Finding Joy in Simplicity

Happiness is a strange thing—it evolves, it shifts, and often, it fades. What once thrilled us eventually becomes routine, and before we know it, the things we once cherished become background noise. This isn’t a flaw in the human experience—it’s just how we adapt. The trick isn’t to chase new and exciting things endlessly, but rather to reset how we experience happiness.

One of the best ways to do that? Strip life down to its essentials.

Living Without, Learning More

For nearly a decade in total, I lived on boats—an experience that redefined my understanding of comfort and necessity. My first boat had no running water, and no refrigeration. Every drop of water for cooking, cleaning, and drinking had to be carried aboard in jerry cans. Dishes weren’t just washed—they were rationed. And cooking was done on an alcohol stove.

At first, it was an inconvenience. But after a while, I realized I wasn’t deprived—I was learning. That life forced me to respect even the most ordinary comforts. Hot showers? Grab your towel and walk to the Marina Offices. Cold beer? Totally possible during 8 months of the year, when I could leave it out on deck. And yet, instead of feeling lacking, I felt more appreciative of these small joys when they did come.

Luxury or Necessity?

The truth is, we often confuse comfort with necessity. Running water, refrigeration, unlimited electricity —these are things we consider essential to everyday life. But they’re not fundamental to happiness. Sometimes, we need to strip our routine down to bare bones to truly appreciate what we have.

Camping does this. A long trek does this. Even a weekend in a remote cabin forces us to separate the essentials from the luxuries—and teaches us that many of those "must-haves" are simply things we've grown accustomed to.

Hitting the Reset Button

When life starts feeling stagnant, when happiness feels like it’s slipping away, it may be time to step back and reset. Shake up the routine. Embrace simplicity. Live without something you take for granted, even for a short while. Let absence reintroduce appreciation.

Because the secret to happiness isn’t chasing something new—it’s remembering to value what you already have.