The Little Things in Life

Here I am again, writing another post 3 months after the last one…

I promise I can explain.

Lately I’ve been feeling that I, along with the rest of the world, have been surrounded by a lot of tragedy: war, death, hatred. As incredibly terrible as it all is, you can't escape these things, as they are a part of life. All you can do is simply comfort the families who have experienced a loss, support organizations for refugees in Ukraine, and tune out the hateful words of others.

It begins to be a problem when this type of horrible tragedy makes you overthink all aspects of your own life. I find myself fixating on every little thing that has the potential of turning into something bad. Before I know it, these thoughts consume the entirety of my days. Worrying constantly about every important person in my life becomes incredibly exhausting.

A wise person (my boyfriend) once said to me, “you can’t spend your whole life worrying or else you will not enjoy the best moments”.

I’ve realized that the best way to cure this anxious state of mind is to simply make the most of every moment, living each to its fullest. Lately I’ve been focusing more on my senses, allowing myself to interpret the world around me in every possible way to achieve the most joy in my surroundings.

Here are a few examples of this mindset at work in my life recently:

Today when I swam, I felt the cold rush of water consume me. I am grateful for this body that allows me to perform athletically and exercise to help my physical and mental health. I almost did not go to the pool today, but I knew I needed this for my sanity, and I am so glad now that I did.

When I was home for spring break, I hugged my parents every chance I had. Feeling their warm embraces, smelling my dad’s aftershave, and hearing my mom’s laugh will never get old. I miss them a lot being away at college, so I soak in every interaction when I am home with them, as each is special in its own way.

While I was home, I also tried to spend time with my dog. I pet his thinning fur, barely covering his spine which protrudes out from his body. He isn’t as cuddly as he used to be, being 16 and all, but I can't help but feel emotional as I think about how much of my life he has seen. Since I was 3, he’s been there through all the ups and downs, and I love him even though he is a cranky senior citizen sometimes.

The other day when it was raining, I was upset at first that it didn’t feel like spring and wasn’t sunny. Once I went outside for the day, I smelled the rain and the air, reminding me of how much I love that type of weather, and how even the rain is beautiful in its own way.

2 days ago I discovered a note that my dad hid in my backpack. As I read the words, “hi Ava, I love you. XOXO, Dad” I feel so loved. This small gesture made my day, and it is a moment I won’t forget.

I feel my boyfriend’s hand in mine as we stroll across our lovely college campus. I smile as I think about how I dreamed of this moment since I was little, working towards my aspirations at an incredible institution that supports my goals during the whole process. I do not take this for granted, as I know how grateful I am to have this opportunity to pursue education at a high level such as this.

All moments in life can become a story to tell, helping you to check your privilege and your attitude. Taking in the world from your senses can allow you to be more present in the breathtaking moments which life gives you. Intrusive thoughts might attempt to steal this enjoyment from you, but you cannot let them. Each day is a gift, and anything can happen at any time on any day, but instead of worrying about the worst case scenario, take in the blessings that you do have before they are truly gone.

I hope this inspired someone, anyone, to live your life more intentionally and gratefully.

Slow down and look at all the beauty that surrounds you in your life instead of focusing on the bad.

Tell your people that you love them.

As always, thank you for reading.

-Ava Jean