I understand so many of us live incredibly busy lives. I myself am a full-time university student, trying to keep my average above 70, hoping to start a new volunteering job, playing intramural sports at my university, and maintain my close relationship with my family, friends, and Wallee (inside joke/story! you know who you are). I know of people that work two jobs, others that are in school full-time and working one or two jobs, and of course there are those that work full-time. We all have our own additional stressors and troubles, which often cause us to become tense and uptight, moody, forlorn, wistful, nostalgic, and are simply draining mentally and emotionally.
When I reflect on my life right now, I realize there are times I don't exactly enjoy it. I'm not a fan of the way education is taught, graded, and judged and that often causes me displeasure in my studies. Sometimes I just get run down, tired, and sick of all the pressure. I'm sure many of you can reflect on your own lives and recognize instances such as mine. Through some of my own reading of my journal, reflecting, and recent conversations, I have realized that often I am happiest when I slow my life down. It seems like a simple concept, but it's so easy to get caught up in how busy life and society is.
I'm now trying, when I feel stressed, overwhelmed, or tired, to recognize the simple things that bring me joy. I've compiled a list below of things I like to slow down and enjoy when life simply becomes busy. I hope all of you out there have your own simple things in your life to enjoy, and I'd truly love to hear some of your own simplistic loves. Maybe I can update my list as I get feedback, and we can all take a bit more time to slow down and enjoy the life that we have :)
1. How it smells after a rainfall. It's invigorating, refreshing, and for me it makes me smile. It's a reminder that things can grow, change, develop, and that new things may be around the corner.
2. Bubbles. Seriously, if you haven't done it lately, go to a dollar store, buy some bubbles, and just go nuts. Seeing the bubbles float through the air, trying to see how big of a bubble you can create, and even popping them. It's like all of your worries float away with the bubbles!
3. Swings. The air whooshing over your face, and for us girls out there, whipping our hair back and forth. The momentum in your legs and arms from gliding through the air, the childhood nostalgia that comes flooding back...and for those brave enough, the jumping off of the swing onto the ground.
4. The sky. I love the sky. I could get lost in it any day of the week, at any point in time. If it's a clear day, I have amazed by the blueness of the sky; with clouds I could just gaze at them trying to gauge height and shapes/animals they resemble; rainy, grey, stormy days have their own meaning when you look into the sky also- it truly reminds me of anger, pain, and sorrow (sharp contrast to how I feel about rain), and sometimes you can witness a beautiful, arched rainbow; at night there is always something to look at- the stars, the bright moon, the clouds slowly making their way across the sky. The sky astounds me.
5. The smell of baking. I think that one speaks for itself.
6. Blowing bubbles out of really good chewing gum.
7. Smiling until your cheeks hurt. Laughing until you cannot breathe, or until you have stitches in your side, or even until you cry.
8. Yelling at the top of your lungs from the top of a hill in the middle of nowhere. Incredibly freeing.
9. Country drives. Looking at the different homes, the farms, the nature, and taking a break from the city is wondrous.
10.The steam rising from a hot beverage, slowly wrapping itself around your face...whether a cup of tea or mug of coffee.
11. Blankets. Fires. Both the epitome of coziness to me.
12. Hearing a baby laugh.
13. Seeing someone you know stumble. Perhaps it sounds cruel, but other peoples clumsiness or ill-fortune can provide some much needed humour.
14. Hearing a song on the radio that just perfectly matches your mood. Even if you're feeling down or stressed, the coincidence in the timing is something to smile about.
15. Hugs. So many of us take them for granted, or don't give them out enough. But honestly, there is nothing like being wrapped up in someone's arms that you care about.
16. The first snowfall. Or a giant patch of fresh, untouched snow. I can't quite pinpoint why on this one, but it never fails to bring a smile to my face.
17. Clothes straight from the dryer. For me, it is especially awesome when I put on warm, toasty socks.
18. Taking a hot shower before bed, and then climbing into a bed with sheets freshly washed.
19. The feeling you get when you are eating something, and you realize it was exactly what you were craving. It is one of the most in-tune feelings you can get.
20. When someone you like, or love, reaches for your hand. That never gets old for me. It reminds me that they want to hold my hand, that they want to be near me, and that they chose to be around me.
21. Water. Especially playing it. Or running in the rain. Or splashing around in some big puddles!
22.Unexpectedly causing someone to smile.
23. Family, friends, trust and honesty. I feel no need to explain this. It should be without saying or explanation.
24.Holidays. Whether it be trimming the tree with those you care about, watching the happiness spread across the face of someone opening their gift, seeing the joy and excitement in a child's eye when you give them candy at Halloween, or anything in between, holiday's are cherished moments.
25. Your favourite movie being on TV.
26. The crunching of a leaf as you step on it.
27. The site of a baby animal, whether it be a rabbit, a deer, a puppy, or a turtle.
28. First signs of a new season- robins, leaves changing colours, crisp air, or short skirts.
29. The smell of fresh laundry.
30. A lingering stare from a stranger. It can so easily cause you to lift your head up a bit higher and walk with a bit more confidence.
31. Good wine. Or for some, a good beer or a well aged cheese.
32. Birds migrating.
33. Sunrises, and sunsets.
34. Finding a book that is so fantastic you read it in one sitting.
35. Backyard wildlife. Whether it be birds, squirrels, rabbits or whatever creatures are native to your home area.
36. Pajama days.
37. Walking barefoot (grass or sand).
38.Light prisms and dust particles in a beam of sunlight.
39. Somebody to say good morning to, and goodnight to, every day.
xoxo S.
When I reflect on my life right now, I realize there are times I don't exactly enjoy it. I'm not a fan of the way education is taught, graded, and judged and that often causes me displeasure in my studies. Sometimes I just get run down, tired, and sick of all the pressure. I'm sure many of you can reflect on your own lives and recognize instances such as mine. Through some of my own reading of my journal, reflecting, and recent conversations, I have realized that often I am happiest when I slow my life down. It seems like a simple concept, but it's so easy to get caught up in how busy life and society is.
I'm now trying, when I feel stressed, overwhelmed, or tired, to recognize the simple things that bring me joy. I've compiled a list below of things I like to slow down and enjoy when life simply becomes busy. I hope all of you out there have your own simple things in your life to enjoy, and I'd truly love to hear some of your own simplistic loves. Maybe I can update my list as I get feedback, and we can all take a bit more time to slow down and enjoy the life that we have :)
1. How it smells after a rainfall. It's invigorating, refreshing, and for me it makes me smile. It's a reminder that things can grow, change, develop, and that new things may be around the corner.
2. Bubbles. Seriously, if you haven't done it lately, go to a dollar store, buy some bubbles, and just go nuts. Seeing the bubbles float through the air, trying to see how big of a bubble you can create, and even popping them. It's like all of your worries float away with the bubbles!
3. Swings. The air whooshing over your face, and for us girls out there, whipping our hair back and forth. The momentum in your legs and arms from gliding through the air, the childhood nostalgia that comes flooding back...and for those brave enough, the jumping off of the swing onto the ground.
4. The sky. I love the sky. I could get lost in it any day of the week, at any point in time. If it's a clear day, I have amazed by the blueness of the sky; with clouds I could just gaze at them trying to gauge height and shapes/animals they resemble; rainy, grey, stormy days have their own meaning when you look into the sky also- it truly reminds me of anger, pain, and sorrow (sharp contrast to how I feel about rain), and sometimes you can witness a beautiful, arched rainbow; at night there is always something to look at- the stars, the bright moon, the clouds slowly making their way across the sky. The sky astounds me.
5. The smell of baking. I think that one speaks for itself.
6. Blowing bubbles out of really good chewing gum.
7. Smiling until your cheeks hurt. Laughing until you cannot breathe, or until you have stitches in your side, or even until you cry.
8. Yelling at the top of your lungs from the top of a hill in the middle of nowhere. Incredibly freeing.
9. Country drives. Looking at the different homes, the farms, the nature, and taking a break from the city is wondrous.
10.The steam rising from a hot beverage, slowly wrapping itself around your face...whether a cup of tea or mug of coffee.
11. Blankets. Fires. Both the epitome of coziness to me.
12. Hearing a baby laugh.
13. Seeing someone you know stumble. Perhaps it sounds cruel, but other peoples clumsiness or ill-fortune can provide some much needed humour.
14. Hearing a song on the radio that just perfectly matches your mood. Even if you're feeling down or stressed, the coincidence in the timing is something to smile about.
15. Hugs. So many of us take them for granted, or don't give them out enough. But honestly, there is nothing like being wrapped up in someone's arms that you care about.
16. The first snowfall. Or a giant patch of fresh, untouched snow. I can't quite pinpoint why on this one, but it never fails to bring a smile to my face.
17. Clothes straight from the dryer. For me, it is especially awesome when I put on warm, toasty socks.
18. Taking a hot shower before bed, and then climbing into a bed with sheets freshly washed.
19. The feeling you get when you are eating something, and you realize it was exactly what you were craving. It is one of the most in-tune feelings you can get.
20. When someone you like, or love, reaches for your hand. That never gets old for me. It reminds me that they want to hold my hand, that they want to be near me, and that they chose to be around me.
21. Water. Especially playing it. Or running in the rain. Or splashing around in some big puddles!
22.Unexpectedly causing someone to smile.
23. Family, friends, trust and honesty. I feel no need to explain this. It should be without saying or explanation.
24.Holidays. Whether it be trimming the tree with those you care about, watching the happiness spread across the face of someone opening their gift, seeing the joy and excitement in a child's eye when you give them candy at Halloween, or anything in between, holiday's are cherished moments.
25. Your favourite movie being on TV.
26. The crunching of a leaf as you step on it.
27. The site of a baby animal, whether it be a rabbit, a deer, a puppy, or a turtle.
28. First signs of a new season- robins, leaves changing colours, crisp air, or short skirts.
29. The smell of fresh laundry.
30. A lingering stare from a stranger. It can so easily cause you to lift your head up a bit higher and walk with a bit more confidence.
31. Good wine. Or for some, a good beer or a well aged cheese.
32. Birds migrating.
33. Sunrises, and sunsets.
34. Finding a book that is so fantastic you read it in one sitting.
35. Backyard wildlife. Whether it be birds, squirrels, rabbits or whatever creatures are native to your home area.
36. Pajama days.
37. Walking barefoot (grass or sand).
38.Light prisms and dust particles in a beam of sunlight.
39. Somebody to say good morning to, and goodnight to, every day.
xoxo S.
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