I recently adopted a kitten — the cutest little mischief-maker. Her name is Deedee, and she’s my very first pet. And being my first pet, I treat her like grandparents treat their grandchildren. I go all out.
I bought her all of the toys. When the first couple arrived and she didn’t play with them much, I tried other, more interactive toys — ones that move and make noises when you touch them, rechargeable toys, even bird feeders that suction to our windows so she could sit on the window sill and watch the birds all day (she has an ongoing feud with them that the birds don’t seem to be aware of).
But you know what she loves most?
A cardboard box. The one that comes from the toys I so carefully picked out arrived in (please see picture).
And the twist ties from loaves of bread.
It’s not that she doesn’t play with the shiny toys — she does…for maybe three minutes. But day after day, the things she loves most weren’t things we bought for her, but instead a cardboard box and twist ties. Endless entertainment.
And you know what? Maybe she’s onto something.
When ‘More’ Isn’t Better
We live in a world that constantly bombards us with messages that happiness is just one purchase away. A new gadget. A better car. A closet refresh. A kitchen upgrade. We’re always being nudged to chase more and compare ourselves to other people who have more.
But I think we can take a lesson from my crazy (but maybe deep down very wise?) kitten, who bounces around with a recycled twist tie for hours on end.
The best parts of life aren’t the most expensive, the most complex, or the most curated — but the simplest.
Happiness, Hidden in the Little Things
There’s something beautiful about simplicity. It gives us room — room to breathe, to be present, to focus. When we’re not overwhelmed by clutter (physical, mental, or digital), it’s easier to see what really matters.
But in the rush of life, it’s the simple things we forget first. We get focused on the shiny new toys that aren’t always what they’re cracked up to be. Sometimes it’s better to do what you can with what you have. Simplicity isn’t about going without—it’s about intention. It means choosing to center your life around what brings real, enduring joy — not just quick hits of dopamine.
What is Your Cardboard Box?
So now, every time I see my kitten nestled in her cardboard box, I smile. She reminds me that joy can be found in the simplest of places. Happiness doesn’t always need to be pursued — sometimes it’s sitting right in front of you.
After all, maybe we don’t need more to feel more.
What about you? Leave a comment below—I’d love to hear what simple pleasures bring you joy.
Kristen Higgins – Research Manager
