Have you ever wondered why some of the most beneficial activities for our well-being like cooking a healthy meal or exercising can feel like a battle? It’s not because we don’t recognize their value, it’s because of how we see effort and reward in our busy lives.
Let’s talk food. After a long day of work, you’re tired and hungry. The idea of cooking a meal feels like too much effort. Meanwhile, fast food, the quick, no-dishes-required option wins out. It’s not just convenience, it’s how we perceive the balance of effort and reward. Cooking is viewed as labor-intense and time-consuming, while fast food offers no effort and instant gratification.
This decision also boils down to a cost-benefit analysis: Why spend time and energy making a meal when you can get something for the same price or less, without the hassle? Framed in this way, preparing your own food seems like an unpleasant chore rather than an opportunity. But what if we reframed it?
Cooking isn’t just about the meal, it’s about the process. For me it’s a creative outlet and a way to slow down and decompress. It also holds cultural and personal meaning. A homemade meal carry nutritional value, flavors of my liking, and even a sense of accomplishment. The same principle applies to other “effortful” activities like exercise, which some view as a form of punishment but others embrace as a source of energy and mental clarity.
The shift is in how we see these activities. Instead of focusing on the effort involved, we could focus on the potential rewards beyond convenience and cost. What if we started to see effort as an investment rather than a burden?
So next time you’re faced with the choice between a quick fix and something that takes effort, think about what you’re really gaining or missing.
Is the race for instant gratification really worth it?
Baking was never my forte because I don’t like to follow recipes. Here is a recent one-of-a kind experimental bread loaf. Will I be able to replicate it? Maybe… but wouldn’t that take the fun out of it?