Remember Maslow and his Hierarchy of Needs? Highly Important Nonsense is not the stuff at the bottom that you need to survive (food, shelter, safety). It is the stuff higher up the pyramid that allows us to thrive. The way we demonstrate our love for those around us, satisfy our curiosity about the world and express our creativity. It’s how we spend our free time and the things we do that “fill us up.”
Make no mistake about it, partaking in life’s Highly Important Nonsense is a blessing and privilege. Too many people can’t take for granted the basics like having enough food to eat, clean water to drink, and physical safety. The world is a dark and scary place a lot of the time. This past year has given many of us a glimpse of what it is like to worry about meeting basic daily needs (toilet paper included!) and helped us learn to count our blessings.
Highly Important Nonsense is not about ignoring the truly important stuff; it is about seeking out those moments of joy wherever we can find them. It nourishes our spirit and energizes us to make the tough times a little easier.
Highly Important Nonsense is the stuff that makes life more comfortable, memorable, and joyous. It is not another thing to add to the to-do list. You might decide that my Highly Important Nonsense is your total and utter nonsense…. And that’s okay. Different people are enriched and invigorated by different things. We should never feel guilty for not choosing to pursue someone else’s nonsense. Guilt is a wasted emotion. That energy is so much better spent finding your own personal delight and fulfillment.
Highly Important Nonsense makes you feel good, accomplished, and closer to the people around you. Which, in the end, makes it not nonsense at all.
Highly Important Nonsense 