Research & Development Before 40
By Christina Staff, Healthy Planet Staff Writer
Photos: Creve Coeur Lake and Kayla at Frosty Pony in Saint Jacob, IL
“What is it you think you’re missing?” That question was posed to me on occasions in years past. I never had a solid answer, which left me feeling further discounted and dejected. I wasn’t “missing” anything major or hugely materialistic; my basic human needs of food, water, and shelter were covered. Yet, there’s so much more to life than simply existing. As August marks a milestone for this writer, I often joke that it’ll be the 11th anniversary of my 29th birthday. The truth is, turning 40 isn’t so bad. I’m a believer that life starts at 40. Everything prior is simply research.
We already know the basics of a healthy lifestyle: exercise and eat a balanced diet; apply sunscreen and stay hydrated. The road map to developing healthier habits can look a myriad of ways. What about our emotional health habits? How do you feed your well-being? We see a lot of buzzwords and catchphrases aimed at regulating our emotional health. Enlightenment. Holding the space. Manifest. What do any of those truly mean? Let’s get back to basics and instead focus on happiness found through human connection and everyday experiences.
In-between the major life markers and day-to-day tasks required to live, are you taking time to appreciate the little things? Far too often we keep our eye on the horizon, chasing that everlasting “I’ll be happy when” goal, only to miss the splendor of life right in front of us or be disappointed when the reality of the “when” doesn’t live up to the hype. Don’t wait for something big to happen to start living. Experience the everyday things and make some memories! If you need local ideas…
Have you visited Creve Coeur Lake in Maryland Heights? Rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards to explore this 320-acre lake! Had we ever been paddleboarding? Not once. Did we fall? Absolutely. Did we care? Not even a little bit. We laughed the entire time as we glided across the water, basking in the sunshine. If you are more of a land dweller, take a spin around their 3.7 miles of paved trails on a rented surrey or bicycle. Look for the gazebo on the beach, which houses friendly staff waiting to accommodate your rental needs.
Life’s all about balance, right? Three words: ice cream nachos. They were Kayla approved! Beat the heat after some outdoor exercise and treat yourself to something cold at Frosty Pony in Saint Jacob, Illinois. This charming roadside ice cream stand has a tremendous selection of handmade desserts and countless topping options. Famous for their pony sundaes and concretes, their menu features themed selections fittingly named Secretariat, Trigger, and Seabiscuit.
What I was “missing” before was happiness found through gratitude, laughter, and experiencing life outside of the box in which we slowly bind ourselves… it was the little things. What have I amassed from my research? You don’t have to go through life feeling like something is “missing.” In both of these examples, nothing big or major happened; we simply enjoyed being present. Make it a habit to experience more little things from life. Make it a habit to look forward to the everyday. You can’t buy happiness, but you can make a habit of creating it with the people who count.
“If you want only one thing too much, it’s likely to turn out to be a disappointment. The healthy way to live, as I see it, is to learn to like all the little, everyday things.