Last week, I went in for my annual eye check-up. Several years ago, it was this familiar yearly exam that sparked my realization of the importance of my senses and, in the end, led to my book Life in Five Senses. You can read about my epiphany in this excerpt.
Since that life-changing visit to the ophthalmologist, this ordinary medical encounter has assumed great significance. I thought about telling my eye doctor that his casual comment had led to a major transformation in my life—but decided, nah, it would take too long to explain.
Here I am just after my appointment, sporting sunglasses because my eyes are dilated.
Onward,
5 Things Making Me Happy
I recently talked to Bublup CEO Alain Cohen about the challenge of managing digital clutter. He made a great suggestion: Do a weekly digital cleanup to tackle unneeded emails, photos, notes, etc. Clearing away this junk is a great way to do a favor for our future-selves, and could be a useful way to spend a weekly “Power Hour.” His suggestion for where to start? “Tackle the biggest problem first....That sense of satisfaction will motivate [you] to continue to work at it and stay on top of their clutter and soon a feeling of accomplishment will follow.” Read my full interview to learn more practical tips for tackling digital clutter.
Ever since I watched the brilliant documentary The Beatles: Get Back, I’ve taken a special interest in the Beatles. I loved looking at these recently discovered photographs—they were taken by Paul McCartney back in 1964, but were forgotten for decades.
I love beautiful smells, so I was delighted to discover that in 2001, Japan’s Environment Ministry named 100 aromatic places as sites of “fragrant scenery.” Scents included wisteria, sea breeze, grilled eel, sulfurous hot springs, incense, and the smell of glue used in making dolls.
I’m a huge fan of children’s literature, and I was astonished to learn the following fact about the brilliant, uncanny 1968 children’s movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I’ve always known the (also surprising) fact that the movie was based on the novel by Ian Fleming, who is better known as the creator of James Bond. But I didn’t know that the movie’s screenplay was written by Roald Dahl! Now that I think about it, the movie has a distinctly Dahl atmosphere…right down to the presence of a fanciful candy factory and the terrifying Child Catcher. Now I must re-watch the movie today.
A thoughtful reader sent me this wonderful video of Yo-Yo Ma sitting near a woodland stream as he plays Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1. Leaves, music, sunlight, breeze, running water…it’s a feast for the senses, even just on video. I can practically smell the earth of the Great Smoky Mountains. Here’s a question for musicians: Do you ever take your cello (or violin, guitar, or other instrument) outside to play? A cello is quite large to carry, but perhaps a smaller instrument? It looks like such a wonderful experience. I always envy painters who are working out-of-doors.
Updates
On October 30th at 8pm ET, illustrator Wendy MacNaughton will join me for an Instagram Live guaranteed to spark creativity. Together, we’ll lead interactive exercises, such as the blind-contour drawing and Five-Senses Portrait, and encourage viewers to participate at home. Tune in on Instagram for an insightful discussion about the creative process and explore how art can make us all happier, healthier, more productive, and more creative.
This week on Happier with Gretchen Rubin
PODCAST EPISODE: 452
Tackle Hard Social Situations, Do Questioners Ever Rebel, and Is Your Birthday Important?
