Life certainly is full of little happy moments and little things that we can recall and be grateful for. For example, have you been feeling lonely lately? Think of the times when you were happy and surrounded by loved ones. Do you feel like everything is not going well according to your plans? Think of when they did and how good it felt.
Here is a challenge for you. Pause and think about one good thing that has happened to you in the past week. Just one thing you are truly thankful for, and it does not have to be grand or of epic proportions.
Did you think of one, or did you think of quite a few? I bet you were able to think of at least one, and that is the power of gratitude.
Gratitude is a state of mind and a powerful emotion that can make you feel good about your life. It starts with noticing the little things around you and appreciating them for whatever they bring into your life.
Here are some tips to help you find gratitude in the little things:
Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is being conscious about what is happening around you as it happens, which allows you to notice the little things instead of just glossing over them. When you practice mindfulness, you also remain grounded and prevent yourself from not being thankful for anything in your life. You prevent the ‘woe is me’ scenario.
Keep a Gratitude Journal and Reflect Often
Taking time to reflect on what you are thankful for allows you to notice the little things more often. There is power in writing about them in a journal, which you can revisit often.
This will remind you of all the things to be grateful for when you are going through challenging times. Your notes can remind you of how good life can be, and is!
Stop and Smell the Roses
This phrase is a great one to remember, but many of us forget. Life gets faster with each passing day, but you have to make time to stop and appreciate all the beautiful things in your life.
Wake up a little earlier than usual in the morning, so you do not have to rush your morning. Enjoy your coffee and watch the sunrise. This is a great way to start your day! It is also a good habit to develop, as it helps you stop and pay attention to the small details. That will help you notice and appreciate the little things in life.
Create a Bulletin Board of Gratitude Tokens
Place a bulletin board or dedicate a wall to display your tokens of gratitude. These can be so many things! For example, you might have received a thank you note or a handwritten letter from a friend. You can also post photos of recent outings, time spent with family and friends, or a new place you visited.
Having these posted on your wall can serve as a good reminder of the little things you should be thankful for.
Spend Time in Nature
Appreciating nature has many benefits for your mental and physical health. It is also a great way to reflect on the little things. Take a walk in the park and yes, you guessed it, stop and smell the roses! Slow down and take your time. Notice the trees, the water, the animals. More importantly, take deep breaths and enjoy the fresh air, and appreciate feeling alive.
Take More Photos to Keep the Memories
It is very easy to take photos with your smartphone. Once upon a time, people had to pay for every photo they took with their camera and film. So make an effort to take photos of your daily activities, even if you feel they are part of your daily routine. You can look at these pictures on random days and reflect on the little things to appreciate.
Practice Self-Care
When you prioritize your well-being, it makes you a healthier and happier person, allowing you to appreciate the little moments in your life. Plus, if you take care of yourself, you live longer, and that is something to be super grateful for!
It is in appreciating the little things that we realize how blessed we are. Being grateful for all the little things allows you to enjoy the bigger things that will come your way.
One day, when you look back at the little things, you will realize how big their impact has been on you. They may be small when you look at them individually, but collectively, they make a huge difference in your life. So, pay close attention to small details.
Be mindful, count your blessings, slow down your life, spend time in nature, collect tokens of gratitude, take more photos, and practice self-care.
