It's good to remind ourselves - as often as is necessary - that the little things are there to enjoy.
...By 'ourselves' I obviously mean me - we need to remind me. 😅
Warning/Disclaimer Time:
I very briefly discuss mental health problems in this blogpost.
I also give opinions on what can contribute to people's mood, so: I'm not any sort of scientific/medical/psychological professional - I'm a chick with personal experience of mental health issues and an internet connection. OK? OK.
The little things contribute so much to our lives.
Our beautiful, messed-up, everyday lives are made up of the bracelet you wore this morning, what you had for breakfast, whether you tripped over the doorstep on your way out, what song is playing on the radio... etc. etc.
That's not to say that we should sweat the small stuff, we don't need to freak out over every little detail - which is much, much, easier said than done, I know.
(I've been living with Depression/Anxiety for years now, I know how difficult it is to not let the little things get to you, I promise.)
But I think it's far more important (and certainly far better for your mood,) to focus on the 'enjoying' part.
My Grampa knew how to enjoy his life more than anyone I've ever met.
Oh, he wasn't into champagne and posh holidays, or expensive clothes and watches.
In fact, getting him to spend any money on himself (as opposed to on his family, or to charity, who he would give money to without a second thought,) was like bashing your head against a brick wall - that's a trait he shared with the rest of my working-class grandparents, though.
But he enjoyed his life more than anyone I've ever met.
He realised that the little things? They're really the big things.
You can be the richest man in the world, but if you can't take the time to enjoy a cup of tea in your favourite mug, sitting in your favourite chair, with a nice big piece of cake - then what's the point?
(For the record - he swore that cake was the reason he'd reached the age of 89. Man after my own heart.)
...I miss him, so much. Talking about him - about any of my grandparents - is still a little bittersweet.
Anyway, from time to time, when I need to remember to enjoy the little things -
let myself smile at a bird, or marvel at an ant hill (...yes I do that, don't you?), or just appreciate a good cup of coffee
- I think of Grampa, sitting in his chair, and enjoying his cake and his newspaper and his tea.
And I remember that the best way to live is to appreciate those little things - you don't have to go sky-diving to live life to the full, the everyday stuff can be pretty wonderful too.
Do you enjoy the little things?
Do you have a favourite mug? Or a favourite chair?
Talk to me! 😊💬
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Aw, what a wonderful post, Cee! Appreciating the little things is something that I can struggle with from time to time, but my grandfather also has that down to a science as well. I do have a favourite mug: one with my initials on it that my friend gave me for my birthday. This post reminded me to appreciate it a bit more :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Em :) <3
DeleteAw that's lovely :) - I have a couple of favourite mugs because I couldn't decide on just one after my old favourite got smashed (I'd had it for a decade; sad times! Lol.)