Adrian Volenik
I’ve always admired stress-free people who seemed like they didn’t have a worry in the world.
That’s why I started digging deeper and ended up on the other side. No, not in China. I found that these people found joy in little things in life.
And you know what happened? I started mimicking them. Now, many years later, I live a happier, almost worry-free life.
I’m not swayed by the things I don’t have an influence over, and I do my best with the stuff and people that really matter.
If you want to be the same, here are the things you need to pay attention to.
1) Laughter
We have to start with laughter, right? Laughter is infectious and reflects our ability to let go and enjoy the moment.
When we share laughter, we feel comfortable and relaxed in the company of others. It also helps us connect more easily and form deeper bonds.
By not looking too seriously at life, you can be more playful and further enjoy other little things. That shows just how authentic and laid-back you really are.
2) Acts of kindness
Just like laughter, being kind to others and performing big or small acts of kindness makes us feel better.
Performing acts of kindness without expecting anything in return proves how empathetic and compassionate you are.
It’s a win-win for both sides involved, and experiencing happiness from these deeds demonstrates your authentic desire to make a positive impact.
Some people believe that everyone should “bootstrap” and rely solely on their own resources.
But in normal societies, that’s not the case. By helping and uplifting the most vulnerable people, we uplift society as a whole.
3) Music
I don’t trust people that don’t listen to music. There’s just something inherently wrong with that. I tried putting myself into their shoes, but I just can’t understand and deduct why they don’t enjoy listening to music.
If you like music, you know how certain songs have the power to evoke emotions and memories and even change your mood. Finding happiness (or sadness) in music is one of life’s greatest gifts.
And don’t get me started on concerts. Experiencing them with hundreds or thousands of like-minded people is something else, isn’t it?
4) Listening to ambient sounds
Discovering comfort in ambient sounds like rain or waves is a form of mindfulness that grounds you in the present moment.
These sounds create a serene backdrop that encourages introspection, relaxation, and a deep connection with nature.
By immersing yourself in these sounds, you prove what a grounded and authentic person you are.
And the best thing is, you don’t have to go into nature to experience these sounds. Although that is preferred.
5) Appreciating food
Some people eat to live, while others live to eat. There’s no middle ground. If you’re anything like me, you like to indulge in different culinary experiences.
In this global world, you can easily find good restaurants serving food from all over the place.
And taking the time to fully enjoy the flavors, textures, and aromas demonstrates how mindful you are. It shows that you’re present in the moment and appreciate life’s simple pleasures.
You don’t quickly gobble down the food and quench your thirst with a gallon of alcohol.
6) Connection
One of the reasons we go out to restaurants, besides enjoying food, is to connect with other people. It could be a date, a family gathering, a birthday party, or whatever else.
In this setting, we try to have meaningful conversations that go beyond surface-level.
These interactions show that we’re able to be vulnerable and share our authentic thoughts and feelings. And these connections often result in lasting relationships.
7) Befriending strangers
When you find happiness in making connections, you also think talking to strangers is normal. Yes, I said it.
It seems like most people cringe at the thought of talking to their fellow humans. Be it their neighbor, cashier, or someone you’re waiting in line with, striking up a conversation is always an option.
If they don’t want to engage back, so be it.
But engaging with strangers in genuine conversations demonstrates your interest in understanding the diverse experiences of others.
Ultimately, these interactions can lead to unexpected insights and remind us of the shared humanity that connects us all. If it also results in challenging preconceived notions, even better.
8) Learning
Finding satisfaction in obtaining new knowledge or skills means you’re willing to grow and adapt as a person. It shows an authentic desire for self-improvement.
Unfortunately, many people don’t understand or use the fact that they basically have supercomputers in their pockets at all times.
You can use them to watch cute cat pictures (aww!), or listen to podcasts, go through courses, and watch documentaries on any topic imaginable.
9) Solitude
While some people do anything in their power not to be alone, others enjoy solitude and use it to recuperate.
Being comfortable with being alone and finding peace in solitude shows me a person has a strong sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.
They’re authentic and don’t have to be with others to escape their thoughts. In fact, they love introspecting and thinking about the past, the present, and the future.
10) Creativity
Creativity separates us from beasts, and engaging in creative activities allows us to express our inner thoughts and feelings.
Although some people think they don’t have a creative bone in their bodies, I don’t believe that. I think they just didn’t find a suitable creative outlet.
For the longest time, I thought I was incredibly uncreative, despite positive signals from my teachers and others.
Yes, I suck at music and art, but I discovered I was (relatively) good at writing and videography.
On the other hand, my wife is a great painter, but other creative outlets aren’t her forte. I’m curious what our son will turn out to be good at.
11) Pets
There are more than one billion pets in the world. Yet, many people do an abysmal job of caring for them, while others go as far as to abandon them. This breaks my heart, and I’m sure it does yours too.
My pets bring me endless joy, and I’ve since stopped eating animals, too, because I recognized that farm animals aren’t that different from a cat or a dog once they’re in a loving setting.
Anyone who can build a genuine bond with animals reveals an ability to connect on a non-verbal level and is a good person in my book. Unless they slaughter them, that is.
12) Nurturing plants
I’ve never had luck with plants. All the plants that come into my home are unfortunately sentenced to death.
That’s one of the reasons why I appreciate them so much but steer clear of them for their own sake.
People who care for plants have a nurturing spirit. As they tend to their growth, they establish a tangible connection with the life cycle.
Although caring for indoor plants isn’t my strength, gardening is. I love spending time outside in the garden, doing my best to care for tomatoes, pumpkins, but also oranges, and lemons. And let’s not forget bushes.
So if someone is authentic, it’s those who appreciate and care for plants.
13) Stargazing
Simply put, gazing at the stars is an exercise in humility and perspective. If the night sky reminds you of the vastness of the universe and your place within it, you’re lucky to have found this almost forgotten habit.
This reflective activity encourages introspection and a profound sense of awe, connecting you with generations of people who have similarly looked up at the cosmos and pondered their place in the grand scheme of things.
14) Disconnection from technology
I think we can all agree that technology (and soon the A.I.) has taken over every pore of our society. So much so that most of us are addicted to technology, and phones in particular.
Those who take intentional breaks from technology can reconnect with the concrete and tangible world around them.
In a world saturated with screens and digital communication, stepping away allows you to immerse yourself in the textures, sounds, and emotions of reality.
These periods of disconnection promote mindfulness and create space for genuine connections with both your environment and the people around you.
Final thoughts
In the end, being authentic is all about finding joy in small things and connecting with others. If you can do that, you’ll not only be more content, but people will see you as a genuine and admirable person.
