Enthusiasm Without the Fireworks
Some people seem to have a bottomless supply of enthusiasm. They throw themselves into everything — from book clubs to bake sales — with the same wide-eyed excitement a kid has for an ice cream truck. I’ve never been one of those people. My enthusiasm runs on the quieter side. I can enjoy something, appreciate it, even love it, without feeling the need to clap until my hands sting or yell “Wooo!” loud enough for the neighbors to hear.
Take the Origami Owl conventions I used to attend. Every year, they’d introduce a few new $5 charms, like a red high heel, a little purse, or a pumpkin, and the room would explode in applause. Women would leap to their feet, squeal, and “ooh” like they’d just been handed the keys to a beach house. The enthusiasm in the room was contagious — at least for some people. I’d sit there smiling politely, thinking, We’re cheering over that? Don’t get me wrong — the charm was cute. But it wasn’t life-changing. I guess my enthusiasm scale for “worth freaking out over” just sits a few notches higher.
The same thing happened when we went skydiving for Craig’s 40th birthday. We had the whole thing filmed, and later we watched each other’s videos. Lisa’s footage showed her screaming and yelling with pure, unfiltered enthusiasm. Mine? I was smiling and laughing, having an amazing time — but my enthusiasm didn’t come out in high-pitched squeals. It lived in the calmer moments, in the thrill of the wind on my face and the quiet joy of realizing I was really doing this.
Over the years, I’ve learned that enthusiasm doesn’t have to be loud to be real. Mine is more of a slow burn, a contented hum. I’m enthusiastic about the things that matter most to me — family milestones, cozy traditions, projects I love — but I express it in ways that fit who I am. I’ll show up, I’ll participate, I’ll support. I just probably won’t scream in your ear about it. And that’s okay. The world needs the cheerleaders — they keep the energy up. But it also needs the steady ones, smiling in the second row, clapping along, happy to be there without losing their voice in the process.
If a $5 charm ever gets me leaping out of my chair, it’ll be because they’re also passing out free coffee and a guaranteed afternoon nap.
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