Temperatures are rising and spring is in full bloom. However, some people are having trouble getting out of the winter slump. It’s easy to just go through the motions every day, but if you live your entire life in the comfort of familiarity, it will only lead to feelings of dissatisfaction. When you begin to feel lost or restless, it can help to try and think of the little things that bring you joy. Start incorporating more of the things, activities, and people that make you happy into your life. Sometimes we don’t even realize we’ve strayed from the things we love, it just gradually happens due to packed schedules and low motivation. With spring in the air, there is an opportunity to recenter yourself and find more appreciation for the smaller things in life. Lauren Greene (12) describes her experience and advice for finding the smaller joys in life.
“When I am trying to appreciate the little things in life, I’m normally doing something outside with my friends or my dog. I like to go on hikes to enjoy the scenery and everything around me. Also really like to scrapbook. Scrapbooking helps me see all the little pictures I’ve taken, and it helps me realize how precious every minute it is,” Greene said.
A lot of the time, people are searching for recreation from the stresses of their lives. Whether it’s staring at a screen or overloading your schedule, it’s all just a different method of distraction. You’re constantly seeking ways to occupy your mind. By spending time on easy entertainment, you might be spending less time doing the things you enjoy. It’s probably accidental that you spend hours scrolling on your phone, but that’s why it’s so important to be conscious of how you are using your free time. Maleah Roberts (10) explains how she is learning to live in the moment and be grateful for the blessings in her life.
“It helps me be more present whenever I put my phone away and focus on living in the moment or whatever is happening. I’m grateful for the small things in life like a supportive family, friends, and the things that people usually take for granted. I appreciate the little things more when I think of things that other people don’t have that I have. When you see how other people are and how they struggle, it’s easier to realize that I’m grateful for what I have,” Roberts said.
It’s guaranteed that there are going to be ups and downs. It’s like waves on a shoreline; waves continuously crash down, but they will always recede. So, why do we spend so much time distracting and overwhelming ourselves? Why do we make everything so hard? Whenever you start to feel lost or hopeless, I recommend making a list of all the small things you love. Some of my personal favorites are sunrises, flowers, the first sip of a cup of coffee, stars, dancing in the rain, traveling to new places, movie nights, laughing until you can’t breathe, singing in the car…etc. Just take a second to fall in love with all the little things. No matter how hopeless or frustrated you may feel, there will always be something to love if you take the time to find it.
