I used to deny myself small joys.
“I’ll buy it next time.”
“I don’t really need it.”
“It’s not practical.”
Until one day, my child pointed to the freezer and said,
“Daddy, let’s get the ice cream before it melts.”
Simple.
Obvious.
But it stopped me.
Because life, much like ice cream,
melts when you wait too long.
So that day, I bought it.
We sat on the couch,
messy and laughing,
spoons clinking against the tub.
It was not even the best flavor.
But it was the best moment.
And that is the thing.
We overthink joy.
We audit it.
Postpone it.
Try to earn it.
We treat happiness like something
that must be scheduled, justified, and approved.
But sometimes,
it is just about saying yes sooner.
So here is a small reminder,
from one overthinker to another:
Buy the ice cream.
Send the message.
Take the photo.
Say “I love you” first.
Because all of it melts
if you wait too long.