Choosing Activities That Give You Something to Look Forward To

There’s a particular pleasure in looking at the calendar and seeing something you’re eagerly anticipating. Indeed, sometimes the lead-up to the event can prove more satisfying than the event itself—even when the event is a delight.

It doesn’t have to be a major occasion like a vacation, wedding, or holiday. Sometimes knowing that Thursday is your regular lunch with a friend or that you’ve booked tickets for a concert next month is enough to give the routine passage of time a defined meaning.

The key is choosing activities you actually look forward to—rather than simply filling the calendar.

Notice What Creates Anticipation

Think about the plans that make you say, “I’m really looking forward to that.”

This can be almost anything:

• a monthly dinner with friends
• tickets to a play, concert, or local sports event
• a Saturday morning farmers’ market
• a regular card game
• a day trip somewhere to a museum you’ve never explored
• a class in something you’ve always wanted to try
• an afternoon devoted to a favorite hobby
• a visit to a cousin you haven’t seen in a while

Your choices don’t need to resemble anyone else’s. If browsing a large bookstore for two hours excites you more than attending a crowded festival, that’s useful information. What matters most is that you want to do it.

Mix Regular Favorites with Occasional Adventures

Having something recurring on the calendar creates a pleasant rhythm. Tuesday might be your walking group, the first Friday of each month might be when your book club meets, or Sunday afternoon might be reserved for a movie.

Then add occasional plans that feel different: visiting an art exhibition, taking a scenic drive, attending a community event, trying a new restaurant, or inviting friends over for games.

The combination gives you both familiarity and novelty. The former creates a pattern to life; the latter provides fresh excitement.

Don’t Fill Every Available Space

A calendar packed with activities can quickly turn enjoyable plans into obligations.

Leave room between commitments so you’re not constantly worrying about or preparing for the next one. Having three things to anticipate may be far more enjoyable than having ten things to manage.

And if an activity repeatedly feels like something you should attend rather than something you want to attend, it may be worth reconsidering.

Just as you should focus on the type of activities that bring you joy, you must also focus on the amount of activities that leave you refreshed instead of exhausted.

Why This Matters

Anticipation is part of the pleasure of an experience. A concert isn’t enjoyable only while you’re sitting in the audience—there’s also choosing the seats, making plans, wondering what will be performed, and looking forward to the evening.

Giving yourself enjoyable things to anticipate can add little landmarks that can help push you through otherwise ordinary weeks.