#67: Emotional Ecstasy
Yesterday we drove from Canberra to Melboure to attend a wedding. While my husband drove, I tackled my 9000+ emails strong inbox for eight hours to bring it to “inbox zero” state.
I didn’t make a big dent as I was handling one email at a time on my mobile phone, reading it and then deciding whether I want to file it, archive it or delete it.
I came across, several unread emails that had exciting ideas and wealth of actionable information which, had I been reading them as they came, I would have kept my inbox in order years ago (one of the email was about “inbox zero” strategy).
One newsletter article that stood out me was about “scheduling euphoria.”
Just like a regular health checkup, or car servicing there are overwhelming benefits of scheduling regular “euphoria events” throughout the year. It turns out that the “emotional ecstasy” is very good for our wellbeing as it takes us to the state of bliss like nothing else can.
Different things excites different people. The secret is to work out your own “brand of bliss.” For some it might be epic front row music moment, for others it could be abseiling a steep rock face. For me it is writing and travelling. Visiting places that I have only seen in pictures gives me soul-expanding “aha” moments that are only equaled by the seeing my book in print.
Two years of COVID restrictions crushed my travel plans. I have been compensating it with writing. But now, as the restrictions are lifting, my husband and I are reviving our travel plans.
There is definite value in planning your “emotional ecstasy” experiences in advance.
Big or small, having these soul-enhancing events in your calendar not only give you boost as you look forward to them, but also reduce stress and increase motivation afterwards. Science shows that doing such activities puts you into “flow state” which boosts creativity and productivity.
We all could use some feel-good “euphoria” experience to look forward to.
Last week I announced the a bunch of courses I want to create as Substack newsletter and asked for feedback on the idea. asked for input. The course for which I got the most interest is the Research/Notes Taking for writers using Roam Research. I decided to start with that and go from there.
I will start on that in a couple of weeks.
The Write Your Book Sprint is sold out and will start from 22 March 2022.
That’s all from me this week.
Neera Mahajan
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