Eudaimonia in the Small Things

Our lives are shaped not by one big action, but by the small choices we make every day. Even the "big" actions are the sum of countless smaller ones. Lately, I’ve been paying closer attention to those little things that often seem trivial—the daily decisions that quietly have vastly changed my day-to-day life. I’ve been making small changes often for my own, a little dose of dopamine.

For instance, I recently changed the ringtone and wallpaper of my phone. It gives some newness. I’ve switched the display to black and white. This has reduced the temptation to unlock the screen impulsively. My temptation to scroll has reduced. I've also set a rule for myself—no phones in the toilet. I’m in and out within minutes. These small tweaks have added a few more minutes to my day. I also have the Screen Zen app on my mobile. When I try to open selected apps (WhatsApp, YouTube) it makes me wait for 5 seconds. The unlock limit is 10 times a day. I can disable the app, but it makes me mindful.

I’ve always been a morning person, waking before five. I won my early hours. I enjoy the quietness. I alternate between running and stretching in the morning. I have never felt this lightness before. I had my back pain my entire life, and it has now slipped away. I once read, “You may have a thousand problems—until you have a health problem. Then you have just one.” Very true. Health is the top priority amongst all.

My food habits have also evolved recently. I quit drinking milk tea a couple of years ago and completely quit sugar. It was, in fact, a treveil decision, but it had a profound impact on my health and my family's food habits. No milk tea is prepared at home, and my wife also quit sugar. I am hopeful that my kids will also follow us. We now eat more vegetables than rice. I’ve lost some weight. At family gatherings, when I decline Coke and show up a bit leaner, relatives often ask if I have diabetes. I just smile.

I have made books accessible on my table and in the living room. Statistically, the likelihood of reaching for a book is now significantly higher than that of a television remote. I also have my Kindle next to my bed. Reading triggers my old school habit - I feel sleepy. I am now asleep by ten. Speaking of books, it has mirrored my running routine; as I progressed from 5k to 10k to a half marathon, I have moved to challenging classic literature. Slowly but surely, I am heading in the right direction. I am enjoying every page and every chapter.

Do I have to write about my journaling? I think I’ll keep that one to myself.

In these small, deliberate habits, I have found my own Eudaimonia—not a fleeting happiness, but a deeper sense of fulfilment and purpose. It didn’t come suddenly as a big breakthrough at once. It came quietly, through small changes that compound together.

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