Living Through the Mundane by Learning to Love it
Everyday won’t be the same if you choose to look for the differences.
BY Summer Hinch ★ October 2nd, 2026
Photo Credit: Saanya Malhotra
Lately, my life seems to be on a loop. Everyday feels like the same thing and I am simply going through the motions. I attend my classes, I see my friends, I go to bed and then repeat over and over again. This constant repetition has been leaving me in a melancholy state, questioning what I am really living for.
Now, if you’re in a similar mindset, remember this feeling is normal! Being a college student should feel repetitive because you are essentially doing the same thing each day.
However, an epiphany struck me recently. I was reminded of the power the “little things” hold. I have found purposely looking for small differences each day helps me not drown in the gloom of monotonousness.
So, here are some things I do (or intentionally look out for) that help differentiate my days and will hopefully inspire you to do the same.
1. Daily soundtracks
I am always listening to music, from when I wake up to when I go to bed. Recently though, I have been choosing a different genre of music to listen to each day, opposed to my usual broad array. Whether it's folk, pop, country or showtunes, doing this has helped me associate one day with one style. Although this seems like a miniscule task to implement, it has really helped bring contrast to my days.
2. Looking for seasonal changes
This is really evident as summer blurs into fall. I love to notice the leaves starting to change or watching them fall as I walk to class. The weather getting cooler. The days slowly getting shorter. Even minute things like switching to warmer clothes, getting a fall drink or seeing Halloween decorations around campus. Choosing to observe these shifts makes each day seem different because I can visually see the differences.
3. Different morning drinks
Don’t get me wrong, I live on water. I am constantly refilling my hydroflask throughout the day but, I also love having a new drink each morning as a fun start to my day. Recently, I have been fond of tea. Along with my breakfast, I have been having a cup of tea, changing the kind each day. Every bag from your basic English Breakfast to a personal favorite of mine, Marshmallow Tea. Along with slightly changing my days, it makes me excited to get out of bed because I’m just so eager to try a new flavor. Now your morning drink of choice doesn’t have to be tea, but I think starting each day with consuming something different whether it's food or a beverage helps bring a little extra diversity into your life.
4. New study spots
Similar to implementing a new drink each morning, I have also been switching up my study spots. Instead of the go-to Bird Library, I have been trying to branch out and explore other buildings. I recently found myself on the Whitman roof, it was amazing. I have also discovered Link Hall brings me a quiet space along with an amazing view. There is so much of campus I have yet to explore and when I venture outside of my usual routine, I consciously decide to add change to my day. I can now pinpoint what day I went where and my days don’t feel as repetitive.
Each of these daily practices appear so simple – and they are – but they’re also able to create such drastic changes in my days. While having that “blah” feeling is completely natural and normal, doing these small things help slowly diminish that feeling and replace it with a brighter emotion. It lowers the repetition in my days and makes me excited to go out and live!
Life will feel indistinguishable, if you let it. If you create or look for differences each day though, the mundane won’t feel so routine and ordinary anymore. Go seek out the variation, it will leave you feeling fulfilled everyday.
Edited by Maia Simmons