Creating Small Moments of Joy in Daily Life
Our days can feel monotonous at times. We follow a regular routine that can make us feel like we are in our own version of Groundhog Day. Cook, work, cook, sleep, repeat. With all the in-between tasks squeezed within.
What if we could turn regular tasks into something a little more enjoyable? And slow down long enough to appreciate them. It might break us out of repetition and help our days feel more joyful and meaningful.
The practice of mindfulness
Mindfulness means living in the present moment. It is the practice of slowing down to notice our surrounding. Rather than be on autopilot and go about our day without paying attention, mindfulness involves connecting with what we are doing and using our senses to be there in the moment.
Imagine that you are quickly eating breakfast. The TV is humming in the background. You are not really watching it but thinking about what is coming up that day. You keep looking at the time, packing your lunch between bites of your breakfast. Your mind is full of hurried thoughts, and you are not present for any of it.
Now imagine you have prepared your breakfast. You sit by the window and notice the sun rising above the clouds and birds flying through the sky. You take a bite and enjoy the crunch of the toast and flavors in the toppings. You sip your warm coffee and sit a little longer before continuing your morning tasks.
It might seem impossible, when your morning feels so chaotic. And some days will be. But if we can pause a little throughout our day to take in a moment, it can enrich our lives.
Mindfulness can be as simple as noticing the breeze on your skin as you wait for your morning bus to work. Or the scent of your body wash as you shower in the evening. It’s the awareness that helps slow our minds and connect more deeply with life.
By understanding mindfulness first, we can use this practice to intentionally create moments of joy in our day.
Create an experience
Taking a moment each day to make a repetitive task more joyful can take us out of autopilot and make our days feel more meaningful.
If you are tired of always cooking, play some music you enjoy and find a recipe you are curious to try to help that time feel more enjoyable. Light a candle at the table and eat slowly, noticing the flavours and textures.
The morning drive to drop children at school and go to work can feel chaotic and repetitive. But you could talk with the children about the sights around them. Are the clouds moving fast or slow today? Isn’t the sky a beautiful blue today? Or if it is raining - look how green the grass is with all this rain.
Grocery shopping is one of those tasks that can feel mundane. Imagine heading to the market early on the weekend and gathering your fresh produce. Noticing the freshness of the fruits and vegetables and locally made products, talking with growers and producers. Afterwards, you sit under the shade of a tree and enjoy a freshly brewed coffee.
It can be hard to step out of autopilot, especially when so many of us fit a lot into our days. But these little acts of slowing down, creating an experience and being mindful can bring joy and meaning into our days. They help us appreciate what we have and the world and people around us.