Are you trying not to take things for granted? During the pandemic, we promised ourselves that we would appreciate connecting with others and our sense of freedom, safety, and well-being. It’s incredible how easily we adjust and take what we have for granted.

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? The experience of habituating to what we have is universal. Neuroscientist Tali Sharot’s research confirms this, showing that we easily habituate to both positive and negative experiences. We remember the first time we experienced a new scene, like the beach or a new relationship, and then we got used to these experiences.

We easily habituate. Work may have been exciting initially, but we got used to it. We know it’s time to find a new experience when it becomes less attractive. I tell coaching clients that they are expected to reach a point when they need to modify or change their work.

Our brain has limited resources, and once we process something, our system prepares for the next experience.

What can we do? In her book Look Again: The Power of Noticing What Was Always There, Sharot recommends that we focus on changing things up. She suggests that variety enhances our psychological experiences and counters the effects of habituation. We learn and gain knowledge when we work on different projects and interact with different people. Learning feeds our brain like eating chocolate without the calories.

Practice making small changes and introduce novelty into your life. Perhaps you take a break and go for a walk rather than keep working on a project. Consider learning about a new area and expanding your awareness.

How can you consciously add variety to your day to experience more joy?