So - you thought that buying a new car was going to make you feel so much better?   


https://psychcentral.com/health/hedonic-adaption#examples


September 20, 2024


Hedonic adaptation describes how we generally return to the same level of happiness despite life’s ups and downs. Practicing gratitude and creating meaning can help you maintain a greater level of contentment.

Many of us know what it’s like to walk out of a store feeling excited about a new purchase, only for that excitement to wane over the coming weeks, days, or even hours, in some cases.

This process is called the hedonic adaptation cycle. After a positive or negative life event or experience, you ultimately return to your baseline level of happiness you had before the experience.



Examples of the hedonic adaptation cycle
Hedonic adaptation can play out in a variety of ways, positively or negatively, depending on the experience.


According to McNulty, a common example of hedonic adaptation is the experience of buying a new car.

“Initially, there’s a surge of excitement and happiness. You might enjoy showing it off to friends, revel in the new car smell, and appreciate the advanced features. However, over time, the novelty wears off, and that initial excitement diminishes as the car becomes just another part of your daily routine.”


Dr. Bernstein noted that after getting a promotion or raise, it’s exciting to see the extra money, fantasize about how to use it, and imagine how your life will improve with the increase.

“Eventually, we become used to the paycheck and it becomes our new normal,” she said. “We move back down to our baseline of happiness.”

This same cycle can occur with other purchases, as well as new relationships and even winning the lottery.

Bobby. wrote on May 11^th, 2026 at 5:10pm:



bobby,

The circumstance this thread describes is.....a mild state of mental confusion,
brought on by     our own attitudes,    towards our [mental] encounters with our immediate environment and circumstances in life.



MY TAKE [...the 'sunny' side].....
No matter what is 'happening' in our life, each of us, will, everyday, encounter so many positive circumstances in our lives.
....if we have the ken [the 'attitude' ? ] to recognise them.

ken = =
1 know.
2 recognize; identify.


In recognising that circumstance [of there being many positives around us], we ought [to actively seek] to meditate upon those positives, which we do recognise in our life.

Not so ?

i.e.
I find myself....expressing thankfulness, to my God [to the 'universe' if you will], every day, for all of the good things which i encounter in my life.

I really do.

IMO, we always should express gratitude, for every good thing, which we [mentally] encounter, in our life.



RESULT.....
On a sunny morning, i will revel, in the warmth of the sun's rays hitting my skin.

Whereas, on a cold, rainy morning, i will give thanks that i possess warm clothing and a raincoat to put on.
....and express thanks that i am able to go for a walk and still experience new things[***], in the world around me.

[***]  i seem to be......always curious.


.

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD;
and in his law doth he meditate day and night."

Psalms KJV



.


Psalms 34:8
O taste and see that the LORD is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
9  O fear the LORD, ye his saints:
for there is no want to them that fear him.


Psalms 119:103
How sweet are thy words unto my taste!
yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!


Psalms 25:8
Good and upright is the LORD:
therefore will he teach sinners in the way.
9  The meek will he guide in judgment:
and the meek will he teach his way.
10  All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth
unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
.......
12  What man is he that feareth the LORD?
him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13  His soul shall dwell at ease;
and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14  The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him;
and he will shew them his covenant.

@Reply #3,

Good one bobby.       

Bobby. wrote Yesterday at 11:27am: