Comparisons. We as humans like to compare everything. Comparisons are like decisions--we make so many of them that a lot of the time we don't realize we're comparing something, it's second nature. We compare people, classes, the weather, the current day to previous ones. We compare it all.
Specifically, we compare repeat occurrences. What do I mean by this? Example: School. We go back every year and even though we're in a different grade level, we compare our sophomore year to our freshman year and so on. Example: We go to the same vacation spot twice. Example: We order the same meal at a restaurant more than once...Get it?
Sometimes when we compare repeat occurrences, we find that the second time was better than the first. Great. But a lot of times it seems as though the event doesn't get any better than it was the first time. In fact, in a lot of cases it might seem worse.
When we do something for the first time there is uncertainty. We do not know what to expect, so everything about the situation is an adventure. New atmosphere, new ideas, new things. It's exciting, maybe nerve-wracking. Therefore, everything that happens, whether bad or good, kind of puts you in awe or in a state of amazement. Not only is it a thrill, but it also becomes a memory. Every person has a handful of stories that could be classified as "first time" memories. From these first times experiences , we expect future situations to be the same. Example: Freshman year was fun, sophomore year will be just as fun.
For those good first time experiences though, it's hard to repeat that same joy/fun. If something is different we automatically compare it to what happened last time. We find ourselves telling stories of the previous trip, the previous school year, etc. "I had fun, but last year..."
When we do something more than once, we lose the "first time" feeling. There's no awe, no mystery. We no longer have to wonder what's going to happen because we have already experienced it, we already know. That rush from the unknown "what if" is gone.
You finish sophomore year and think to yourself, "Wow, sophomore year was nowhere near as fun as freshman year." Well, it makes sense. You've been through a year of college and are wiser than before. You learned lessons from last year and decide not to make the same mistakes. You study for tomorrow's test instead of stay out all night partying. You keep a lot of the same friends but maybe learn there are some people it's better to be acquaintances with. Some people from the previous year will have left and new ones will have arrived, but you pretty much know the scene. You don't wonder what's going to happen, if this professor will be challenging, or this party fun because you already know. You had fun your sophomore year, but the magic of being independent isn't quite as exciting because we know the consequences.
It's important to find joy and amusement in life. It's okay to be amazed and curious by the little things some people don't give the time of day to think about-- it makes every experience new. By looking closer, we notice things we have never seen before, and it brings back the awe, the magic.
With that being said, it's important to try to keep an open mind. Look at every experience as a new one, even if we've already done it. Find pleasure in life's little treasures. Things change. Instead of comparing a situation to how it used to be, accept it for what it is. Find something to enjoy about the new situation. If we can't look past the changes we'll find ourselves missing out on the joy and excitement because we were too busy reminiscing on something we can't get back.
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