Appreciating the small stuff
You might be fed up with people telling you to ‘live in the moment’ and ‘appreciate the little things’. Perhaps you’d rather dream of being on that tropical holiday, plan for that fabulous room make-over or wish yourself toward an important promotion at work by getting online and networking like crazy. We get it, we really do. Right now, we’re all just hanging on to the idea of being able to do more exciting stuff – particularly when we’re supposed to be having downtime or we’re actually officially on holiday.
There is room in everyone’s day... to squeeze in a bit of appreciating the moment – seeing and taking note of the small stuff that delights us.
Read all articles There’s nothing wrong with longing for better times – more success, or a desire for better financial health. We are after all, only human, and with this there often comes a goal-orientated approach to life and a desire for betterment. Even if we choose a more Zen path, the goals are often still there at the back of our minds – breathe better, find calm and harmony, be kind to others. We’re programmed that way.
Wishing for nice things – glorious sunshine and a bikini-ready bod – no problem – no need to apologise or stop.
Making room to smell the roses
There is room in everyone’s day, however, to squeeze in a bit of appreciating the moment – seeing and taking note of the small stuff that delights us.
Why might this be good for you?
- You literally stop and smell the roses (or the candle, body scrub, Xmas perfume or furniture polish!). Scent is a fantastic mood lifter. If you can’t be on that sunshine holiday – smell it. Go back to it, imagine it. The olfactory sense is one of your most powerful senses – hard wiring straight into deep parts of the brain. For just a moment – make the most of it and see where it transports you.
By slowing down and pausing for a fleeting moment you concentrate on yourself or something (like a loved one) right in front of you. Slowing down allows you to spot stuff you otherwise naturally miss. The flight of a bumble bee, a bird feeding in your garden, the cat doing an unprovoked somersault (we love them for that!). These little things are microcosms of life going on around you – and they’re important.
- When you slow down, appreciate and dwell on the small stuff you can be awed by nature – human nature and all the other kinds. In our reliance on technology, we sometimes miss the small gestures, emotions and feelings of others. It’s fine to focus on yourself – self-care is truly important. But to really tune into someone else’s world you need to step out of your own, if just for a minute.
How to give it a go
Next time your day is flashing by, or dawdling to a point of frustration, look beyond the clock or the monotony.
Pause, see and reflect. You might be surprised by what you discover.