Noticing the Little Things: Finding Calm in Everyday Details

As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that beauty is most often held in the small, simple things.  It’s all in the details.  When you use your senses and observe your surroundings with intention, you’ll find a plethora of calming, and grounding experiences.  These moments hold more power than you’d think.  They gently restore balance within yourself. 

The little things, for me, are deeply sensory and often tied to food and nature.  If you add both of them into the mix, I’m simply overjoyed. 

There is nothing more comforting than a warm bowl of soup or freshly baked bread to sooth my soul.  Add a crackling fire underneath some starts and call it a day.  It’s truly a pure state of bliss.  It’s like receiving a hug during hard times. 

Summertime in particular brings its own form of sensory therapy.  The delicate aroma of lavender in the afternoon sun.  The sweet, invigorating and intoxicating scent of blooming jasmine on early summer evenings.  These smells bring forth a sense of peace and serenity.  They remind me to breathe in the fresh air, pause, reflect, and savor the present moment. 

Sounds are equally powerful.  My favorite place on earth to be, is at a beach.  It’s my sacred space.  The crash of the waves, the scent of sea salt and suntan lotion, eating snacks on a blanket underneath an umbrella, it’s all so timeless and nostalgic.  Being there makes me connected to something so much bigger than myself. 

I recently went camping and found comfort and curiosity being out in nature.  The sight of a clear, gushing river, the lush green trees swaying the breeze, the hypnotic dance of flames from the fire pit, they all bring me back to myself.  And then there’s the night sky.  Being able to watch stars slowly appear as the darkness settles in, is magical.  It’s a moment of pure presence, and where time softens and worries dissipate. 

Of course, I still struggle with overstimulation and overwhelm.  When the world feels too loud, my mind loops and spirals.  In those moments it’s difficult to come back to myself.  It’s even harder to look at the finer details, but once that intensity begins to pass, those details become amplified. 

Some other little things that bring me calm include:

• The soft rustle of leaves on a quiet walk
• The warmth of sun on my skin during a cool morning
• The first sip of coffee that starts my day off right
• The flicker of candlelight in a dark, quiet room
• The pages of a well-loved book—the texture, the scent
• A familiar song that wraps me in comfort and nostalgia

These moments may seem small, but they are a part of my daily life.  They remind me that when the world feels heavy, I always have something to return to.  

When life gets overwhelming, I try to come back to the simple pleasures.  It truly amazes me how much beauty there is in the small things.  They bring me peace, clarity, and healing.  One mindful moment at a time. 

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

Robert Brault