It helps to find joy that does not require a thrill.
Trading thrills for being content and curious still leads to enjoyment of new things without the need for it to be exciting. It might be less intense, but still very enjoyable.
I’m reminded of when a friend of mine quit smoking. He said “OMG I can smell oranges and they taste amazing!”. The “thrill” of smoking had dulled his finer senses to the point he wasn’t able to enjoy oranges before quitting smoking.
I think life is like that too. If you’re living the “thrill” all the time, you can’t perceive or appreciate all kinds of smaller wonderful things around you happening in life.
A buddy of mine is a wine steward. He quit smoking and said “Holy shit I can taste wine again. I’ve just been making it up for years!”
The candle that burns half as bright burns twice as long
I could go for a chili dog now that I think of it
You can still find thrills. You just have to be more willing to take risks. I personally started exercising more, started my own construction business which is stressful and exciting, started jogging absolutely everywhere that I didn’t have to drive for. It also helps that I keep a decent float of alcohol in my system every time I don’t have to drive anywhere or be available for work. It keeps things exciting.
My hikes and kayak trips are usually uneventful, but I got stuck in a swamp the other day. That was thrilling.
The clear water is only 3" deep, but you’ll sink to your waist if you get both legs in, and then you’re truly stuck, no getting out, nothing to push against. Took me 20-minutes to navigate to the high ground only 30’ away.
True, but life goes on…long after the fear of livin’ is gone.
