Savoring is a beloved art form. The story that came to my mind was during my doctoral studies, one of my lady professors saw me staring at the numbers in her wrist. She told me she had been a prisoner at Auschwitz. Gulp. She asked me if I would teach the daughter to make the large candy Easter eggs that I had made for everyone in our conference group. And would I gift her with my recipe? The three of us had a lovely time in my small apartment. After we finished making and decorating the gigantic buttercream eggs, she softly told me the starving women at her camp got together every day to memorize recipes. If they were ever released, they would be remember their fellow inmates and savor the food to honor the ones who did not survive. I will remember that forever. And I savor all day long. It’s the little life joys. Also, it totally resonated with me that rich people do not benefit from savoring. I often think how it helped me in life to grow up with very little in the refrigerator.
My pleasure. Life never sees to amaze me. I think that’s why I’ve loved being a psychologist for so many years to hear people stories always reminds me to save her every minuscule of pleasure.
I love this - "When pleasant events were scarce, savoring kept a strained person afloat (link)"
I'm also currently listening to The How Of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky (your previous guest), and this resonates with her gratitude section.
I've noticed myself that my evening journaling and "noticing 3 good things" practice often dwindles when life is relatively smooth or easy. And then I make myself do it in the tough days and seasons.
Your article and Sonja's book give me a little reassurance that this is a perfectly acceptable (and possibly beneficial) routine
There is so much tenderness in how you wrote this about veterans, about the old man on the lawn, about suffering and savouring.
And especially what I hear is the veteran (of any age really) who was once the one who protects, who is only seen now as the old man when he can see in his living everyday memory. the younger version of himself.
Savouring sounds like the magic that brings veterans and civilians together. One kick of the ball at a time. One moment. One choice. A million tiny acting with dignity choices.
Love this piece on the role of savouring. I found it especially insightful about how affluence can inhibit the benefits of savouring. This ties so nicely with Choice Paradox and distraction management.
Query for your widely informed mind: savouring is not merely the pointed focus on a specific moment/stimulus, but also the strategic exclusion and filtering of other factors vying for our attention, is that a reasonable inference?
First thanks. Second that is interesting. I never thought of it that way but then I think about smelling a Dubai chocolate cookie before the first bite. As Metallica says nothing else matters.
Loved the "savoring" piece! Particularly the Quoidbach et al study showing that money can "taketh away" -- thanks for bringing it to us!
Thanks Vic. Yeah I don’t know this isn’t a widely known study. I think too much is being published so we can’t find these gems.
Savoring is a beloved art form. The story that came to my mind was during my doctoral studies, one of my lady professors saw me staring at the numbers in her wrist. She told me she had been a prisoner at Auschwitz. Gulp. She asked me if I would teach the daughter to make the large candy Easter eggs that I had made for everyone in our conference group. And would I gift her with my recipe? The three of us had a lovely time in my small apartment. After we finished making and decorating the gigantic buttercream eggs, she softly told me the starving women at her camp got together every day to memorize recipes. If they were ever released, they would be remember their fellow inmates and savor the food to honor the ones who did not survive. I will remember that forever. And I savor all day long. It’s the little life joys. Also, it totally resonated with me that rich people do not benefit from savoring. I often think how it helped me in life to grow up with very little in the refrigerator.
Woah. I never heard of this. I’ve only read the male authors. I need to find these stories. Thank you
My pleasure. Life never sees to amaze me. I think that’s why I’ve loved being a psychologist for so many years to hear people stories always reminds me to save her every minuscule of pleasure.
I love this - "When pleasant events were scarce, savoring kept a strained person afloat (link)"
I'm also currently listening to The How Of Happiness by Sonja Lyubomirsky (your previous guest), and this resonates with her gratitude section.
I've noticed myself that my evening journaling and "noticing 3 good things" practice often dwindles when life is relatively smooth or easy. And then I make myself do it in the tough days and seasons.
Your article and Sonja's book give me a little reassurance that this is a perfectly acceptable (and possibly beneficial) routine
Oh yeah. The best stories emerge in your journal on shit days. Thanks 🙏
There is so much tenderness in how you wrote this about veterans, about the old man on the lawn, about suffering and savouring.
And especially what I hear is the veteran (of any age really) who was once the one who protects, who is only seen now as the old man when he can see in his living everyday memory. the younger version of himself.
Savouring sounds like the magic that brings veterans and civilians together. One kick of the ball at a time. One moment. One choice. A million tiny acting with dignity choices.
You took this to another level. It’s really hard to do. That pic made it easier. But I’d love for kids to explore this perspective getting
Todd, this post reminds of this recent NYT article on chess and mental health. It really is the little things that can bring joy and connection. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/02/nyregion/how-three-chess-friends-battled-demons-and-saved-two-lives.html?unlocked_article_code=1.nVA.VNgO.cpFD7mX-zLuZ&smid=nytcore-ios-share
Not that chess is "little." ;)
My great uncle
Love this piece on the role of savouring. I found it especially insightful about how affluence can inhibit the benefits of savouring. This ties so nicely with Choice Paradox and distraction management.
Query for your widely informed mind: savouring is not merely the pointed focus on a specific moment/stimulus, but also the strategic exclusion and filtering of other factors vying for our attention, is that a reasonable inference?
First thanks. Second that is interesting. I never thought of it that way but then I think about smelling a Dubai chocolate cookie before the first bite. As Metallica says nothing else matters.