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We often chase after grand happiness, overlooking the small joys that truly sustain us. On a sweltering day, a sip of a cold drink, perfectly preserved by a good tumbler, can become a small anchor for the soul. This is a story about how to find happiness in the little things of everyday life.

The Pressure to Be Happy, and Rediscovering Gratitude

Sometimes, we suffer from the pressure to “be happy.” Seeing glamorous vacations and huge achievements filling our social media feeds can make our own daily lives feel somewhat shabby. When lethargy hits in the suffocating heat, we might fall into self-blame, wondering, ‘Why don’t I have any special joys?’ But does happiness truly exist only in such grand and spectacular forms?

According to neuroscience research, happiness is more deeply related to a ‘grateful heart’ than to intense stimulation. When we feel gratitude, the secretion of dopamine and serotonin is activated in our brain’s prefrontal cortex. These are the neurotransmitters that give us feelings of satisfaction and peace. In other words, happiness is not something you can only get by having more, but an emotion that naturally follows when you recognize and appreciate what you already have.

This aligns with the teachings of Stoic philosophy. The philosopher Seneca said, “Unless we are grateful for what we have, we can never be happy even if we have more.” It’s an insight that happiness dependent on external circumstances or possessions is temporary, while happiness derived from inner gratitude is sustainable. The feeling of gratitude for the comfort of a cold cup of coffee prepared for yourself while catching your breath under the hot sun—that might be the most solid happiness we can find in our daily lives.

Focusing on the sensations of these moments and knowing their value is the easiest way to weave our often-scattered days together under the name of ‘happiness.‘

A Tool to Protect Small Joys

To consciously practice holding onto these precious moments of happiness, I recommend getting ‘your own special cup.’ The one I’ve been loving lately is the Stanley Quencher H2.0 FlowState™ Tumbler. This tumbler is more than just a container for drinks; it acts as a reliable partner that fully protects a sense of daily satisfaction.

Its biggest advantage is undoubtedly its insulation capability. I feel a small sense of wonder when I see that the ice I put in in the morning is still there in the evening. The coolness that lasts for hours is enough to wash away the heat and stress of midday. Thanks to its generous capacity, there’s no need to bother refilling it multiple times.

The sense of stability when you hold the handle and take a sip of a cold drink is like an anchor that firmly holds onto the fleeting moments of happiness. Even if it’s not a grand event, the definite satisfaction from a cold drink in this tumbler becomes a small driving force to get through a lethargic afternoon.

For Your Happiness

It doesn’t have to be a grand plan or a big event. Today, how about fully feeling the happiness of a single cold drink that protects your day? Daily life might be full of small joys waiting for you to notice them. When we discover and hold onto those moments, our day will surely become more solid.