Sometimes the key to discovering joy and success is not focusing on the big picture or end result but on the small achievements and spaces in between.
As we enter the Springtime season, explore and observe beauty and delight in the small things that fill our lives with purpose and joy.
Five Ways To Find Joy In The Spaces In Between
I talk a lot about stepping out of our comfort zone and thinking bigger; to create a compelling vision of the future by seeing our future outcomes and then working backward. I believe this is the best way to live a fulfilled life.
However, there are times when my focus will shift to the end result, and I get stuck there looping over the “what could-be’s,” and the bigger picture brings my energy level down, making me feel like I will never get where I want to be.
Except for incremental planning steps, the things I worry about, like “will my next travel adventure be enjoyable,” “will gas prices make my goals impossible,” or “what I can do to improve my business,” are out of my control anyway. Many factors will shift the outcomes wanted, so best to have the goal, know the steps needed to get there and enjoy what today is offering.
When I find myself in a space where there's a struggle, it's essential to stop, look around and be curious about what's happening right then; immediately, my attitude shifts for the better.
If the steps to the end result are our focus, the journey will inspire us. When I fail to appreciate the simple tasks, the spaces in between needed to get there and can bring me immediate joy, I get lost.
Everything Is Connected
If I observe and give thanks for the raindrops on my windshield, some unexpected help, the two dollars I just found in my jacket pocket, or the hawk or eagle flying above me on the road as if pointing my way, I become energized.
It’s from this place I find myself in the right frame of mind to continue. This higher vibration will also be shared actively like a ripple to everything around us.
Whoa! So awesome, right? And, just thinking one more step, what if everyone were this self-aware? Imagine the global shift when the positive energy waves started to bubble outward.
Think about a time when you were in a sour mood either at work or with family or friends. Did you notice the energy of those around you take a negative shift as your poor attitude continued?
Next time things are going sideways, stop, breathe and be grateful for something, anything that might be going right. Then feel the positive shift in yourself, and then watch how it changes your perception and everything around you.
Five Tips to Find Joy and Delight
Take a breath and slow down. It’s impossible to notice the small things when we hurry to the next big thing. Slow down, take a breath, look up, down and around – see the beauty, love and good that is already surrounding you.
Create a gratitude list. Every day, write down a few things you are thankful for – dig deep, focusing on the small things that bring you happiness. When you find yourself in a negative space, bring out this list if you need help remembering.
Along my way, if I pay attention to the many small steps to achieve my vision, I stay present, which is, of course, where all of the magic really happens.
Go outside. Not only can being in nature completely turn a bad mood into an excellent one, and so many incredible things can be seen there, too, from a blazing red leaf in autumn to the spring’s delicate budding flower. Move your body outdoors; then get closer and observe the lovely details around you the next time you’re outside.
Cultivate connections. Many wonderful, tiny moments come when we spend time with the people we cherish. So visit your mom, make a coffee date with a dear friend, or spend time curious about the people around you, potentially creating a new friend.
Embrace little successes. This is a big one! We often overlook incremental progress and improvement, always focused on big gains or significant achievements, which are few and far between. Starting today, take note and celebrate the small successes and tiny moments along the way.
While they may seem small, the ripple effects of small things are extraordinary.
I invite you to observe life’s moments as it unfolds. Share your experiences in the comments below as you find joy in the space in between them.
Share this post
Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to illustrate well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van.
Follow along! Be sure to sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with stories and tips on travel, exploring, van-living, self-care & yoga, photography and life on the road.