With the end of the semester approaching, these past few weeks have felt like a whirlwind. Between studying for finals and squeezing in plans before summer, I've found it easy to get swept away in the chaos, which is why I've taken on a practice that has allowed me to slow down and take everything in during these busy times.
Every night before going to bed, I reserve five minutes to write down something good that happened that day. I take my notebook, flip to the designated section in the back, and reflect on my day, recalling what stood out to me. There are pages filled with these brief moments, a few of which include:
Calling my mom and catching up while I walk back from class
Car karaoke while driving to get frozen yogurt
My dog running to greet me when I went home for the weekend
Sunday night dinners with the girls
After doing this for a few weeks, I skimmed my list. There was a clear pattern: more often than not, the things that brought me the most joy were the small moments. Whether it was catching up with friends over dinner, walking to class on a sunny day, or starting the morning off with my favorite playlist, many of my best memories came from simple things.
I would have missed many of these moments if I hadn't started this practice. The highlights of my life were in the smaller fragments of my seemingly average day-to-day experiences, and I was totally oblivious until I took the time to search for them.
This reflection has helped me become more mindful. Since some of the happiest moments can disguise themselves as small and insignificant, it's important to be present so they don't slip past unnoticed.
I've also found myself more appreciative of everything in my life, no matter the circumstance. I'm grateful not only for the happy times, but the hard times as well, because there are still positive things to be found there too.
It's the little things, small wins, and brief moments that make up the bigger picture of joy in our lives. They are always there, even if hidden in disorder and chaos. But I promise, they are there; we just have to slow down and be present enough to notice them.