Anticipation and excitement.
Even though I’m closer to 40 than I am to 30, I can still feel that little-kid excitement about something. That same feeling that used to make time crawl by when you were waiting for Christmas morning or a long-promised trip. The kind of excitement that keeps your mind racing, that makes it impossible to focus on anything else, and that brings back a sense of wonder you thought you’d outgrown.
Most of adult life isn’t like that. It’s a lot more routine, predictable, and honestly, kind of dull. When we’re kids, we think being an adult will be thrilling — freedom, money, control. But the truth is, most days are full of responsibility, bills, and schedules. The surprises are fewer, and the emotions tend to flatten out.
But every now and then, something comes along that stirs that spark again. Something that reminds you that excitement isn’t just for kids — it’s for anyone who still has a heart that can feel it.
My wife and I have a big life event coming up in the next few days, and I find myself feeling that same buzz of anticipation I haven’t felt in years. The last couple of days have been excruciatingly long, like waiting for something just beyond reach. I don’t get like this often. I’m not a big birthday person. Christmas is nice, but I honestly get more joy out of giving than receiving these days. That innocent kind of excitement is rare — and that’s exactly what makes it special.
I won’t go into details about what’s coming — it’s personal, something just for us — but I wanted to share the feeling itself. Because I think we all need something that wakes that part of us up again.
Find the thing that makes you feel that anticipation, that joy, that giddy spark of childlike excitement. It doesn’t have to be big or life-changing — just something that reminds you that life isn’t all routine and responsibility.
And maybe most importantly, don’t feel guilty for feeling joy. The world is heavy enough as it is. There’s nothing wrong with being happy, as long as you don’t chase happiness like it’s the only thing that matters. Let it find you naturally, let it fill the quiet spaces of your life — and when it does, hold onto it for a while.
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