A bench perched in an empty park, lovers joined by a cup of tea, an airport full of passengers with their lives packed in suitcases or newly mowed grass. The little things and innate details of life are what keep us motivated, although it may escape our grasp at times.
It is not always easy to see the good in things , or people, or anything, but it is unwavering and constant. Nature and life are exceedingly beautiful- all it takes is a closer look. And while there is no universal criteria to what is beautiful and what is not, every single person finds different traits attractive and that, alone, is the beauty of it.
Step 1: Slow Down and Look Around
Regardless of how you perceive life, it is meant to be good and you are meant to enjoy it. Ever heard the phrase “slow down and smell the roses?” Do it. Literally. Pause on your walk, or commute home, and notice the shape of the petals or the way the air shifts after the rain. Let the world catch up to you- slow down. Breathe. Look closer.
Sometimes this process starts at the most basic level of physical being. Try mindfulness exercises like the 4-7-8 breathing method.
Step 2: Redefine What Counts as Beautiful
Beauty hides in the unknown, the “ordinary.” Although it should never be a chore, it is your job to find it- but it approaches with curiousity endlessly, everywhere. Think of it this way: that song you’ve been playing on repeat- someone once sat down to write it, record it and publish it for listeners like you to enjoy.
The notes tucked away in your drawer or an “I’m thinking of you” message- someone paused their day to articulate their thoughts on paper for you.
The steaming cup of coffee on a tired morning, the blanket still warm from the dryer, the stranger who holds the door when your hands are full- each is a quiet act of kindness, stitched into your day.
Even the grocery list folded on the counter, the sticky note clinging to the fridge, or the envelope with your name waiting in the mailbox- proof that life is dotted with care and connection.
Try this: make or purchase a gratitude journal, this will help you keep track of the seemingly small things that brighten your life one day at a time.
In order to make this re- “classification”, you will need to begin to collect the crumbs of joy. Take mental notes of:
That slice of toast, buttered with love.
A laugh that bubbles up without warning.
A soft weight of a pet leaning close, warm and steady.
A handwritten note labeled: remember this.
They may seem small, but gathered together, these crumbs form a feast- the everyday fabric of a life well lived.
Step 3: Appreciate the Everyday Effort
Our lives are so beautifully intertwined. We each move through the world with different views and opinions and yet, our paths overlap in ways we’ll never fully see.
Understanding the inner workings of small gestures and things typically overseen is another step of seeing the whole, full, big beauty in the little things of life. Every day is an opportunity to savor the moments that make the long days feel a little shorter. A major component to that is embracing the huge trail of little things that connect us as humans.
You can’t know if someone is tracing their fingers over the notes you’ve sent, or if a stranger is smiling at home because of something you said. You can’t know if your laugh replayed in someone’s mind on their drive home, or if your kindness was the bright spot in their gray day.
But maybe the unknown is beautiful. The little things in life are admired best through the littlest part of us, our pupils, because vision allows us to notice and choose what to honor. It’s a metaphor in its truest form and a privilege of the human race.
Try this: Pause today and consider one small action you’ve taken- an encouraging word, a shared smile, a text. Ask yourself: What is that moment living on in someone else’s memory right now?
Trust Beauty’s Persistence
Beauty never leaves even when unnoticed. It is unending, restless and never needy of attention.
Reconnect with a younger version of yourself- the one who delighted in puddles, chased the first raindrops after a storm or marveled at how the world smells fresh after rain. Listen closely to the familiar creak of your floorboards. Feel the rhythm of your pet’s breathing beside you. Watch the first stars blink awake in the night sky.
These small moments are proof that beauty persists, even when overlooked. It doesn’t need applause or notice- it simply exists, ready to surprise you.
Try this: Today, take five minutes to observe one small, ordinary thing you usually let pass by: the way light hits a leaf as the seasons change, the sound of distant traffic or the warmth of a blanket. Let yourself fully notice it. Tomorrow, do it again- and see how often beauty quietly shows up, waiting for you.
