Are You a Mathemagician? The Magic of Tiny Daily Rituals
What if the secret to feeling truly alive isn’t found in grand adventures or life-changing events, but in the small, everyday moments we often overlook? Bradley Charbonneau, the creator behind the concept of being a “mathemagician,” invites us to explore how tiny daily rituals—like butter, jam, and peanut butter—can weave magic into our lives. It’s not about mathematics alone, nor just about magic; it’s about where the math of habit meets the magic of meaning, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
The Myth of Big Moments
We’re often told that to feel alive, we need to chase big experiences: sunsets in Bali, rafting the Grand Canyon, or completely overhauling our lives. While these moments are undeniably amazing, Bradley argues they are not required for a fulfilling life. Instead, the real magic lies in the mundane—the everyday habits and small rituals that, when given value, become sources of joy and meaning.
Mathomagics: The Magic in the Mundane
“Mathomagics” is Bradley’s term for the blend of math and magic—where habits and routines become the foundation for meaning. The magic isn’t about sudden breakthroughs but about consistency in small actions. These tiny rituals often have a deeply personal significance, creating a private magic that only you can experience.
Bradley encourages us to look at our own lives and ask: What tiny habits or rituals do you already have, or could you create, that bring a bit of magic to your day? The key is not to force the magic but to do the math—the habit-building—and let the magic flow naturally.
Three Tiny Objects That Spark Joy
To illustrate this idea, Bradley shares three simple objects from his daily life that brighten his days and carry layers of meaning.
1. The Butter Dish: A Burst of Love
First is a humble butter dish, or as Bradley calls it, “the butter thing.” This object is more than just a container; it’s a connection to his mom, who loved the Polish design it features. Every time he uses butter from this dish, he feels a little burst of love from her. It’s also a nod to his friend Lona from Denmark, who introduced the habit of keeping butter out of the fridge.
2. The German Jam of Happiness
Next is a jam jar Bradley found in Germany. The label is German for “happiness,” and he refills it regularly with whatever jam he buys. Each spoonful reminds him of his time living in Germany and his friends in cities like Benzheim, Darmstadt, and Munich. This jam jar is a tiny vessel of joy, a small daily dose of happiness infused with memories and connection.
3. The Peanut Butter with a Twist
Finally, Bradley shares a recent discovery: his favorite peanut butter, sold at Trader Joe’s but actually sourced from Aldi in Germany—Aldi owns Trader Joe’s, which might surprise some Americans. This peanut butter is close to perfect in his eyes and adds a little extra delight to his toast routine.
The Math Behind the Magic
These three tiny things—his butter dish, jam jar, and peanut butter—are more than just kitchen staples. They are daily doses of joy, ritualized moments where math (habit) and magic (meaning) intersect. Bradley calls this “mathomagics”: the practice of building small habits and giving them personal value so that magic naturally emerges.
He reminds us that mathematicians don’t wait for inspiration to strike; they create it through curiosity, consistency, and the small, repeatable actions they take every day. No wand, no special training, just a willingness to find magic in the mundane.
Your Challenge: Find Your Own Mathomagic
Bradley’s challenge is simple: What tiny thing can you do today—a small, silly, or secretly genius ritual—that brings unexpected joy? It could be as simple as a cup of tea, a favorite pen, or a particular song that lifts your spirit.
By sharing your math magic tips or tricks, you contribute to a community that values the small stuff, turning it into something big. The goal is to make the mundane magical and to create something tiny every single day. You don’t need a new life, just a new way to see the one you already have.
Becoming a Math Magician
Being a math magician means recognizing the magic in everyday life and nurturing it with habits and rituals that matter to you. Bradley signs off with a secret: you are a math magician too. The power lies in the routine—the thunder behind the lightning—that brings magic on a mathematical basis.
So go ahead, embrace your tiny rituals, build your math of habit, and watch the magic unfold.
Go be math magical. Share your tiny rituals and joys, and let’s make the small things matter.
