Kanisa George
A NEW relationship. A new car. That feeling you get when you jump into the warm comforts of a newly made bed after a harrowing week.
Nothing beats new. And nothing beats the season of new.
The energising, uplifting vibe that the spirit of Christmas brings is arguably unrivalled, and it might have something to do with the privilege some of us are blessed to experience each year – the gift of a fresh start.
It's a new year, a new journey, and the opportunity to step into a new era and embrace the joys of novelty.
The thing about newness is that with time the novelty wears off, and we’re left to bask in the company of familiarity. Our once dazzling relationship no longer exists on the highs of honeymoon nectar, and before long our new car loses that appeal.
Nothing lasts forever, and soon March rolls in and we’re back to the same hustle and grind. Newness has faded and mundanity creeps in with a vigour like never before, holding us hostage to dreariness and boredom.
In many ways, life falls flat and the excitement you once felt in your youth, or even the first few months of the year, melts away just as quickly as the novelty does.
One can easily feel stagnant in relationships, work relations, or with one’s quality of life and crave something exciting and new.
You could have it all: the career you’ve always wanted, financial stability, and deep, meaningful connections, yet it can feel like the puzzle is somewhat incomplete. For any of us to function optimally, various needs, including those of a psychological nature, are required.
Research has advanced overwhelming support for what can be deemed the basic psychological needs: a feeling of autonomy, belonging, and competence. This trifecta, if you may, has been considered the ABC of human motivation, and scientists believe it is at the core of our achievements and our will to persevere.
How much of this is required? Well, that’s up for debate. What is overwhelmingly clear, however, is that little mention is usually made about the fourth and often neglected psychological need – the novelty rule.
As we get older and the rigours of life get a hold of us, we fall into the routine of sameness and, naturally, our brains stop making as many new pathways as it did before. There is no excitement, variety, or novelty, just the same old, same old. No wonder you feel dull!
Psychologically, this repetitive style of living runs contrary to what we need to live at an optimal level.
No matter how satisfying, there are only so many times we can do the same activity and get the optimum psychological benefit. After a while, our sense of familiarity wanes the psychological impact.
In contrast, we function best when there is sufficient novelty and variety. A huge part of us craves unique and unconventional experiences, and a growing body of research shows that this might be good food for your brain and can impact your experiences and output.
Dr Laurie Santos, a cognitive scientist who teaches a popular course at Yale titled Psychology and the
