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We often think about the big things in life.
The career we're working towards.
The partnership we've wanted for years.
Finally taking up a hobby that fulfills us.
The list can be long.
Although long-term goals and wishes can be a good guide for the future, we often overlook the little things in life that are right in front of us - and massively underestimate
what they can give us. This is especially true in stressful times, but also in normal everyday life. Small things can bring us great joy if we pay attention to them.
But what does this look like in practice?
It's actually quite simple: we think about what beautiful, absurd, exciting, funny or entertaining things come to mind when we simply think about what feels good. It doesn't have
to be riding a motorcycle or playing the guitar. It can be much simpler. Here are a few examples:
- The feeling of the first rays of sunshine of the day on your skin
- A hot bath with a wintery scent
- Drinking a coffee from our favorite mug
- Watching raindrops as they run down the window
- Touching and feeling our pet's fur
There are no limits to your imagination!
It's best to write a list of all the things you can think of. And the next time you have the opportunity to experience one of these little pleasures, let yourself be completely
“enveloped” by the moment. Using the example of the cup of coffee:
- Pay attention to every sensory perception (the smell of the coffee, touching the surface of the cup, feeling the material and the warmth, paying attention to the sound when you stir the cup with the spoon...)
- Allow all emotions (anticipation, security, enjoyment...)
- Or to put it simply: focus completely on the cup of coffee and enjoy it!
(In principle, it's similar to focusing only on a problem - only this time with something beautiful).
It may remind some people of gratitude exercises, and it comes pretty close. It's just much easier, because we all enjoy and experience joy. “Forcing” ourselves rationally to
always feel gratitude is much more difficult.
Enjoying the little moments gives us an incredible amount of strength. It calms us down, gives us security, makes us feel good. And the great thing is: They are always
available! You can get most of these little things in life “everywhere”, it doesn't cost any money or much time. So there are few excuses. And the very special trick: if
it really isn't possible to experience the little moment, the thought of it alone fills you with joy and pleasure.
In this sense, it makes sense to look at the gap that you want to close with a goal for the future. But in between, you can still pause for a moment and see “what is”.