The ingredients for a 'nice life'
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is Ira Glass. On This American Life, one thing we like is a good mystery. Sometimes about really big things, but most times, the little mysteries are the best.
Our lost and found is currently filled with pants. I don't know what, I've never seen this happen.
Wait, this is true?
This is true. Mysteries of every size, each week. This American Life, wherever you get your podcasts.
A nice life is that little something extra. It's I experience joy and pleasure. And I made those things for myself. I had agency and I made choices that allowed me to feel that little bit of sparkle, that little bit of like twinkle in your eye, that spring in your step, a little mischief.
You're listening to Life Kit. I'm Marielle Segarra. We did a live taping recently at WBUR Fest, a festival hosted by Boston NPR station WBUR. Fun fact, also where I started out as a public radio intern. The topic was how to have a nice life. And our guest was Rachel Wilkerson Miller, who's the senior editor at Vox and has a book coming out called The Nice Life. How to elevate the everyday and find joy in what you have. Yeah, I think there's a bit of elegance in a nice life. But again, when we say elegance, I think we often would think of spending a lot of money. But we've talked about this. Can you buy your way to a nice life?
Absolutely not. And that to me is central. I say in the book, it's about punching above your weight without living above your means. It's about finding ways. to elevate, to bring a little something extra that often doesn't cost money. Like it could be a meaningful conversation with a friend or a neighbor.
What does it mean to pursue a 'nice life'?
It could be something you thrifted or got at a garage sale or found in the garbage that brings you a lot of joy. It could be something that you make yourself and use very inexpensive materials, or again, something you found in the recycling bin. I think people sort of know those things when they see them. But so much of it goes back to creativity, art, and connection with other people.
On this episode of Life Kit, you'll hear that conversation. We talk about art and beauty, curiosity, falcons, Ulysses S. Grant, and much more.
In the book, you lay out qualities to pursue if you are trying to cultivate a nice life. And one of those is beauty. Can you talk about what that means to you?
So I mentioned art is a huge part of this. And I think beauty can exist in a lot of different ways. It could be a beautiful building or architecture or the face of somebody you care about or a flower. I think just starting to look for it and really orienting yourself toward it is so exciting and thrilling. And again, it helps remind you that, oh, these things exist in all these different places. It's not necessarily about something that is expensive or that I'm seeing on Instagram that I want to buy. It can be so much simpler than that. And it's so often human made. And I think really starting to look for art in my everyday life was a really transformative experience because I used to think of art as something that I like went out and did and
And I still do that. I still go to shows and I go to museums and I love those experiences. But there's art everywhere. And I think once you start to notice it, it's so satisfying and reassuring and kind of thrilling. And that's a really easy example of how to just find a little bit of beauty in your everyday life.
Well, let's talk about the consumer aspect of it because I feel like when you are seeking especially beauty in your space, you can end up thinking that means I have to buy all this stuff. And you can also sort of be stealing from your own joy because you're working towards some – future version of you and your home, for instance, where everything's going to be perfect and look just like a magazine. And that to me seems like the opposite of a nice life. I wonder what your advice is for folks who find themselves in that spiral, AKA me.
Yeah.
Well, I should say for starters, like I am not a minimalist, so I understand this tension very well. And I think one thing I've had to learn over the years is what stuff will actually make me happy or mean something to me and what stuff I will change.
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Chapters
7 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–1:49
2
What does it mean to pursue a 'nice life'?
1:49–6:12
3
How can you find beauty in everyday life?
6:12–9:28
4
What role does creativity play in shaping a nice life?
9:28–13:02
5
How can mindfulness enhance your daily experiences?
13:02–17:53
6
What is the significance of curiosity in cultivating joy?
17:53–21:10
7
How can you foster meaningful connections in your community?
21:10–23:03
Speakers
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