Behavioural scientist and psychologist Daniela Becker studies this question. In a world that values self-control, discipline, and long-term goals, she asks: Can enjoyment simply exist? How easy or hard is it to really enjoy something? And what does enjoyment do to our productivity?
Control, control, and more control
The familiar story about motivation and self-regulation sounds clear: successful people control themselves, avoid distractions, and stay focused on their goals. Enjoyment? People often see it as a problem. Becker questions this idea. 'We say balance is important and healthy. But we often try to reach balance with even more control.'
Can we learn to enjoy better?
What if we do not only accept enjoyment when we fail to reach our goals, but take it seriously as something that supports well-being and happiness?
Enjoyment as a skill
Becker studies the skill of enjoying consciously. People who enjoy well feel happier and suffer less from depression and anxiety.
It's all about acknowledging enjoyment as a real need
Interestingly, they do not exhibit worse self-control. People who can both enjoy and regulate seem the most resilient. This raises a question: can we learn to 'enjoy' better?
From cookies to mindfulness
Becker uses so-called experience sampling studies. People answer questions at random times during the day. Did they do something pleasant? Like eating a biscuit, reading, or walking? How did they feel during and after the activity? Earlier research has shown that enjoyment helps people complete tasks and feel more satisfied.
May we also exist for a while, with no purpose, no use, but with enjoyment in and of itself?
Becker’s current research checks if this is true. Initial results indicate that taking a break to experience enjoyment helps people focus better and return to work more quickly. If people feel no enjoyment or feel guilty, they delay work more.
Can you plan enjoyment?
What if we don't wait for enjoyment, but plan for it? A student can play video games for thirty minutes after three hours of study. Another student can make studying more enjoyable with tea and a comfortable chair. 'We need to see enjoyment as a real need,' says Becker. 'If you add it to your routine, it can even make you more motivated.'
More than a distraction
Becker’s research highlights a crucial aspect of our lives: the way we perceive ourselves. Are we only deemed valuable when we’re being productive? Or can we take a moment to simply exist, without a specific goal or purpose, and just find joy? In an age marked by burnout, stress, and mental exhaustion, this isn’t just a luxury to ponder; it's a vital shift in how we approach self-care. Perhaps this change begins with small acts, such as enjoying a cookie, going for a walk, or playing a game. Not as a way to escape, but as a reminder that enjoyment is important.