Life’s little things.
Embracing Life’s Little Things: The Power of Gratitude
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to overlook the small, seemingly insignificant moments that actually shape our happiness and well-being. We often find ourselves chasing after big achievements or grand experiences, while the daily joys and minor triumphs can go unnoticed. Embracing these little things and cultivating a sense of gratitude can profoundly impact our overall satisfaction and perspective on life.
We’ve all been there, guilty of titles, societal status, material items galore, you name it. Spending too much $ on things that truly are insignificant in compared to all the meaningful things our lives have to offer. I took on the challenge a few months ago to wholeheartedly find GRATITUDE (easier said, than done, trust me- I’ve restarted this process a few times now). The amazing and talented author Rhonda Byrne, of The Magic shares how learning and grasping on to all the ‘good’ life shares will truly change us, internally and externally. The book shares on many vital aspects of how to change your thinking and find joy in each and every moment. Read it for yourself, and you will be a changed person, I mean it! My favorite approach of this book is the 28 day gratitude challenge, where you journal 10 gratitudes a day. For me, the best time to journal is at night where I can reflect on the day and analyze where there may have been a challenge, actually was an opportunity for hope and gratefulness. This challenge makes you think. Start today. Maybe start with 1 thing. Then work your way up to 2,3,4.. and so on. You’ll get to 10 before you know it and even might want to write more. Purchase the book
Step 1. Start with a cute journal (thats a must). I love Lily Pulitzer ones because the colors just make me happy & you can find them for a good deal
Step 2. Write your thankfulness.
Step 3. See your life change before your eyes and reap the benefits.
The Beauty of Small Moments
Imagine waking up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, feeling the warmth of sunlight streaming through your window, or hearing a child’s laughter. These moments may seem trivial, but they are the threads that weave together the tapestry of our daily lives. When we pause to appreciate these small experiences, we can find contentment in the everyday.
Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.
Do five things a week that make you happy- small things.
Here are some ideas that I turn to daily.
Side note: these are in no specific order of doing one thing over another, however, I might be slightly bias because I do love my pets (actually, i’m obsessed, it’s fine).
1.Animals.
Walk the dog, cuddle the dog, bathe the dog (don’t have a dog? Ask a neighbor to walk their dog, or need extra income, sign up for Wag, or Rover). Have extra time, that you find yourself anxious and twiddling your thumbs not knowing what to do- volunteer at your local humane society, or animal shelter. Foster a dog or cat until it can find a permanent home, or just provide it with some love. It is scientifically proven that pets make you happy (I can assure you of this, from the love I get from my Goldendoodle every.single.day.) Studies have shown that even small interactions with dogs cause the human brain to produce oxytocin, a hormone often referred to as the “cuddle chemical.” (Psychology Today, 2024).
2.Nature
Get outside in nature. Walk, jog, hike, bike, yoga, pilates, there are endless ideas of activities you can do outside, by yourself or with others. Nature heals you. Nurture by Nature. The American Psychological Association, gives countless benefits of nature that we all need. Those five hours of screen time on the daily (yeah, you, I’m talking to you), let’s try to get those down a notch. “There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human wellbeing,” says Lisa Nisbet, PhD, a psychologist at Trent University in Ontario, Canada, who studies connectedness to nature. “You can boost your mood just by walking in nature, even in urban nature. And the sense of connection you have with the natural world seems to contribute to happiness even when you’re not physically immersed in nature.” Truth is, I’ve always loved to be active, running has been my jam since day 1, however, staying motivated can be a not so easy task, especially with all of life’s chaos. However, as Dr. Nisbet (2020), states, nature truly helps you mentally, physically, psychologically, emotionally, to name a few benefits, so truthfully why aren’t we outside more? Spend five or 10 minutes to start outside today, friendly reminder: Make sure to stay hydrated (h20 is key), especially in hot temps. Be mindful that you don’t need to obsess and try to run a half-marathon just because nature is good for you, make it enjoyable and joyful. Don’t focus on time, calories, or miles accrued, focus on how you feel, the peace the trees and fresh air provide your lungs, the feel of the ground on your tennis shoes, the sunlight soaking into your skin and giving you vitamin D (make sure ot have SPF on). If you find yourself wanting to train for a race, or increase your movement, then do it, just remember to focus on the ‘why’ of movement, rather than the ‘need'.
3.Read.
If I were to make a list of all the books i’ve read this year that I could suggest you to read, it would be longer than this whole blog. There are countless good reads, from fiction to non-fiction, and anywhere else in between. I believe and trust you can and will find a book you’ll enjoy, even if reading sounds boring as heck to you. Find what genre works for you, what do you like? History? Science? Love? Mystery? Start with that and you’ll find your niche. My favorite authors and reads of this year: Kristin Hannah, the Women (released in February 2024-new read!), Colleen Hoover: It Ends With Us (okay, please read then see the movie, and thank me for how amazing they both are), It Starts With Us (sequel), Anthony Doerr: All The Light We Cannot See, book and movie are tear-jerking, prepare with a Kleenex box. There are plenty more I’d share but then it would be too hard for you to pick so start from here. Also, review this list it’s super helpful and spot on Goodreads is a go-to for me.
4.DIY.
Craft, creative, design, innovate, paint, color, you get the point (I hope). Make something, with what you have. Everything on this list is aimed to be ‘free’ and not cost you anything outside of what you already own, that’s the point of being able to turn it to it daily, rathe than buy it daily. An old table that is worn out, give it a rustic design, paint it (okay this will cost, but make it minimal). Or if you have a few bucks to spare, get a paint by numbers, you can literally get them at any store. Or feeling more basic, grab a pad of paper and a pen, draw, anything that comes to your mind. Need inspo: grab a flower on your nature walk and draw, paint, color that. Whip out the paint kit you received as a Christmas gift and never used. Paint rocks, pinecones (these are cute idea for a Christmas tree) anything you can come across outside or inside your house that gives you a creative eye. Make a picture for someone. A birthday coming up, design a card for a loved one. Art helps you get out of your head. Crafting, DIY projects, and art in general can enhance your life by learning new skills that are fun and satisfying. They can help you relax, manage emotions, reduce depression and anxiety, or just feel more accomplished. So give it a try!
5.Catch up.
Let’s play a game of catch up. Meaning to call your friend from five months ago, neglecting the missed calls from your mom, postponing a FaceTime date, maybe now is the time. We all have those who are our everyday communicators, but how about that friend you only see a few times a year and you’ve been meaning to see how their life is going. Dedicate an hour (if you can) per week to truly connect with the person you’ve been putting off due to life’s craziness. Confirm it. Mark it in your Google Calendar if you have to. Create a Zoom meeting. We all miss the times in life as a child where we could easily plan a ‘play-date’ with no real life worries, but adulthood, makes it rather hard at times to be able to pick up the phone and chat for hours. That is why it is important to nurture those relationships, keep the committment. This week reach out to a long lost friend, your parent(s), sister, brother, aunt, colleague, yoga-class friend, and plan a time to catch up. Remember it doesn’t have to be all or nothing, 20 minutes is all you have while you’re in the car to your kids soccer game, hey why not? An hour while you’re dreading your walk on the treadmill, make it enjoyable and call them up. It’s easy to push people in our life aside when it gets busy, but nothing is as important as relationships with loved ones and maintaining them.
Free Monthly Resource- Avocado Toast | Recipe from my cookbook.
Okay, I’ve low-key been head over heels for Avo Toast (yes, it was trendy years ago, but Hello Avocado Goodness).
🥑🍞 Avocado Chickpea Toast
Ingredients
2 Slices Thick Bread (typically a seed type bread works best)
1/2 Avocado or more if you want a thicker spread
Pinch of Salt and Pepper
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
1/2 can Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans
Parsley (optional)
Directions
Step 1. Preheat airfryer at 400 or set oven on preheat at 350
2.Mash avocado, add salt and pepper- set aside in fridge
3. Dump the chickpeas into a strainer and rinse until the foaming stops and the water runs clear. Remove as many skins as possible by rubbing them with paper towels. (Skins can also be "pinched" off by squeezing them.
4. Mix chickpeas and olive oil in a bowl.
5. Roast the chickpeas in the oven for 30 minutes.
6. Let chickpeas cool. Toast bread.
6. Spread avocado mush on bread and top with chickpeas and parsley
Today’s Inspiration
May the flowers remind us why the rain was so necessary. -Xan Oku
(felt fitting with today’s fit)
