Why You Should Fall In Love Often

First published April 27th, 2016

It was 1.30am and I was sitting at the bar of a noodle house on a Sunday morning. Earlier that night I had the chance to catch up with my friends at a friend’s surprise birthday party and then went to review a concert that was exceptionally good.

Having not consumed anything other than champagne and beer since lunch I was starving so, as I do on occasion, I took myself out to eat before heading home.

And there I was sitting at the bar, with a glass of fresh white wine, a sumptuous bowl of ramen, and the chatter of late-night conversation and 90s music swirling around me. I remember sitting there by myself and literally feeling so completely happy. The swell of contentment in that very precise moment. I had a great night, checking in on Facebook messenger and text it looked like all my friends and hubs had as well, plus I was eating, so I was just... happy.

If at any time someone would ask me what the slogan on my t-shirt would say, I’d always respond with “Fall in love often.” And it’s not necessarily a romantic love that I’m speaking of, it’s the act of complete recognition of the beauty and charm of life in the present moment.

This is not my idea, it’s actually a life rule espoused by Jerry Seinfeld in an interview he did with Andrew Denton. He spoke of appreciating the small things in life and being grateful.

In essence, it’s feeling awe, which is something that a lot of us ignore amid the minutiae of our daily lives. However, it can be the most rewarding feeling to just take stock of what’s good in your life. I’ve spoken of it previously, where I have just been in drunken awe whilst seeing a band perform because they’re that good. It’s this feeling. Or going to my current favourite gelato store and sitting outside in the still warm night air, eating the most luscious roast macadamia gelato. Or chatting with someone and thinking to myself how much I enjoy their company. Or just walking along and admiring how amazing the sky looks at sunset after a humid day. Or it’s as simple as getting a park close to where I need to be.

The point is there are all these little wins and displays of beauty happening to us all the time. The act of ‘falling in love’ is allowing yourself to be open to it and appreciating how amazing that moment is.

Even when times were tough, I still had those moments. When I was in the hospital for 8 days after my bilateral mastectomy/recon operation, I would relish having an actual shower (aided by a nurse), and despite the pain, I loved getting those boring Arnotts biscuits and a cup of milky black tea at 10.30am.

On the days when I had chemo, if I found that my favourite flavour of Zooper Doopers were in the freezer I would give a little fist pump. There are moments to fall in love every day, it’s really a choice of whether you are willing to see it and go, ‘man life is pretty fucking good'.

So as I sat at that bar, eating my late supper reflecting on a pretty great night, I fell in love again. Because how lucky was I? Time with those I love most. Seeing an awesome band and a big old bowl of tasty noodles. I went home that night extremely tired but very happy. Another small win, but a win nonetheless.