Finding the Little Joys in Life
"Learn to find joy and laughter in small things like a three-year-old does every day" - Unknown
When I was little, there was a time when I looked in the mirror and didn’t recognize myself. I couldn’t find the girl who used to smile so hard her cheeks hurt. The one who would dance in the middle of a grocery store aisle just because her favorite song came on. And the more I searched for her, the more I felt like she was gone.
I won’t dive into the full story right now, because this isn’t about staying in the pain; this is about how I started to grow from it.
It all started with noticing... my coffee.
Yes, seriously.
One morning, I was rushing out the door, overwhelmed, anxious, you name it. But for just one second, I took a breath and noticed the steam swirling up from my coffee mug.
I noticed how warm it felt in my hands. How good it smelled.
That moment didn’t fix everything. But it softened something.
Before I go on, I want you to pause for just 5 seconds. Look around you.
Find one thing, just one, that makes you feel calm, curious, or even just... present.
It could be the texture of your blanket. The sound of a bird. The light coming in from your window.
Got it? That’s the art of noticing.
By just acknowledging the sweet, warm cup in my hands, I was able to change the direction of my entire day.
Simple Joys Log
One thing that really helped me break out of the trap that I had put myself in was creating a simple joys log. Each day, I would slow down the chaos of my routine by simply acknowledging things that made me happy. And it doesn’t have to be huge. The primary purpose of this log is to create something that I can appreciate every day. So, whenever I noticed something that brought a smile to my face, I took out my journal and wrote it down.
Why is it important?
Studies have shown that an increase in appreciation is correlated to an improved outlook on life.
The more you practice this habit, the more you will find yourself unintentionally noticing things that make you happy. This shifts your mindset as well as affects how you are feeling throughout the course of the day. Practicing appreciation is a habit that leads to forming a mindset that seeks to find things to be grateful for, increasing one’s well-being AND happiness.
I’ve also noticed that whenever I practice this habit, my day seems to slow down because instead of rushing to get everything done, I take time to slow down and find things that bring me joy. When reflecting, I often feel more fulfilled and content by the end of my day.
It’s not something big.
It’s a small act that you can implement in your day-to-day life that makes a huge impact on the outlook on the world. Something as simple as a child’s giggle, the smell of the rain, or even how your childhood stuffed animal feels can count!
By incorporating this practice, I immediately felt more present, grounded, and optimistic. Hence, starting today, I urge you to start this habit and reflect on whether it makes you feel better at the end of the day. I am positive I know the answer.
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