Life can be stressful, especially with an overwhelming schedule. Whether it’s an incredibly tedious and uninteresting assignment or a task that you have been putting off for a week, it is easy to fall into the habit of forcing ourselves to finish a task that must be completed. We begin to ignore the important parts of our lives and we feel that we no longer have the time to enjoy whatever it is that we are doing. We fail to recognize the little things in life and we take many aspects of our lives for granted. However once we begin to practice gratitude, we will be able to open our eyes to the simple yet beautiful things that surround us. Think of all things that we witness every single day: birds chirping in the morning, the beautiful and calming sunrise, drinking a soothing cup of tea or coffee and feeling the warmth fill your body. There are so many incredible things in our lives that we fail to admire and cherish.
Little things seem nothing, but they give peace, like those meadow flowers which individually seem odourless but all together perfume the air.
Georges Bernanos
In order to appreciate the simple things in life, it is essential to begin with the right mindset. Instead of dwelling on bad events or negative experiences, try letting go and striving towards a positive attitude. With an optimistic outlook on life, you will be more motivated to make changes in order to develop and to promote self-improvement and self-care. To let go of all regrets and mistakes, focus on what makes you feel happy. This is where focusing on seemingly insignificant things in your life can make a huge difference.
Here are some tips to help you practice gratitude and appreciate the little things in life!
Keep a gratitude journal
Practice gratitude by keeping a journal for all of the things that you are grateful for. Taking time to journal will help you when you are stressed. You can write whatever you would like in the journal. I personally write the date at the top of each page, then I numerically list all of the things that made me happy that day. For example:
- Having a warm cup of tea or coffee to get me going in the morning
- The beautiful weather outside
- The fresh air and wind on my walk to the train station/bus stop
- Listening to my favourite songs
You can make the gratitude journal as general or specific as you would like!
Take time to meditate
I personally love to drink tea for its taste but I also find that it can always make me feel calm. While sipping a cup of tea, I like to reflect on the positive aspects of my day and get myself in a serene mood. Whether you like tea or not, making time for yourself everyday is essential for good mental health and to be in a better mood. You can try journaling (as mentioned above), yoga or going on walks or runs.
Slow down! Live in the present
Whenever you are doing something, stop yourself from thinking too far into the future. Think about what you are doing in the present and focus on how you can make your life better right now. Use your senses to remember everything you experience. When you are walking to school, think about everything you see, smell, hear, feel, etc… Practice mindfulness and remember to appreciate everything you come across during your day.
Celebrate the little things
It doesn’t have to be an anniversary or someone’s birthday to celebrate. If someone has accomplished something, help them feel proud by celebrating and you could also gift them something special. You could also send an email or message to a different person everyday with a positive message. Make others feel happy by doing little actions – it will make them feel special and you will feel great after knowing that you have made someone’s day.
I hope that you will be able to live your life appreciating everything in your life! Practicing mindfulness and gratitude will help you come to appreciate your life and bring you happiness.
I have been watching a lot of Ted Talks recently and here is one that I have enjoyed. It’s about the little things in life by Marie Obrowski – enjoy!
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