Appreciating the little things
| Asking for help A few weeks ago, a friend reached out and asked if I could come over and babysit her. It was a strange text as she is not someone who usually needs this level of caretaking I called and asked what was wrong. In my head, something had to be very wrong if she was asking for this type of help. Turns out she herniated a disc. If you know anyone who has had this type of back injury, you know it is debilitatingly painful. She was barely able to get out of bed. Her husband needed to go to work. Being alone felt scary, so she was hoping I could come over and just be there with her. Maybe bring her snacks in between her naps. My schedule was such that this could work. So, I went. I know that just having another person around can provide comfort and ease. Turns out I am a pretty good dog walker and am very good at finding snacks in other people’s cabinet 🙂 |
| When I got home After her husband came home, we all had dinner together, and then I headed out. As I walked to the subway, I realized how grateful I was to be able to walk to the subway! I thought about all the ‘simple’ tasks I did that day for my friend. Tasks she had done thousands of times for herself without thinking, that were impossible in that moment. Walking up the stairs to my apartment, I was in awe of what my body just did. It was easy and I felt strong. I let that sink in. Realizing, that I walk up the stairs several times a day and rarely realize how remarkable it is. That day and every day since, I have been grateful for the ability to walk up my stairs with ease. |
| It’s just a cold This friend is someone who is usually very active. We have gone on hikes, done stand-up paddle boarding, and laughed through yoga together. I have a new appreciation for all the ways we have spent time and mindlessly exerted our bodies. What has me sharing this with you today is that this does not feel like a unique story right now. I feel like I keep having this same concept reflected from so many others. Last week I called my mom, and she was all stuffy. I asked if she was ok. She said it was just a cold. She was defrosting some chicken soup, taking vitamin C, and drinking lots of tea. Nothing to worry about. Well, 3 days later she still had the cold. Then, 2 days later, she was still stuffy and tired. She is finally starting to feel a bit better after 7 days. It was a long cold, and she had to slow down and take care of her body. It made me grateful that I could breath easy, have plenty of energy, and can keep all the commitments I have in my days. When I see themes like this in my life, I wonder if other people are seeing it also. I wonder what lessons others are learning from what is unfolding around them. I wonder if how I am learning might be helpful to you. |
| Golden Nuggets: 1. Small things are not small. Sometimes we only realize how amazing our life is when some of that amazingness is lost. The small things that make life great are noticed when they are absent. I’m working on noticing the small things that make my life wonderful while I have them! Realizing that the small things, like walking up stairs, are not so small shifts my perspective on life. 2. The impact on stress and mental health. This concept can seem like fluff but it’s not. Finding appreciation for the small things can decrease stress and anxiety. It can help you feel more hopeful. Having a pity party when things are hard can be part of the process but you don’t want to get stuck there. Small spaces of gratitude can help you find the way out of crunchy places. This is not about ignoring problems or pretending everything is good when it is not. It is about searching for a small sparkle on the darkest of days. 3. See the patterns. When there are repeated themes happening in your life, notice them. Get curious. Question why you are seeing this pattern. For me, in this moment, I’m hoping that appreciating my body and the small ways I move all day will help me be more mindful of my body. Being more mindful helps me go slower and feel good about what I can do. This way I don’t push to hard and create an injury. Learning the lesson in the pattern may prevent me from needing to learn firsthand. And, if not, I will have a better mindset to take care of myself if needed. |
| One step at a time… How do we turn these stories and ideas into action? There are a few different ways. Ask for help when you need help. Not being alone can make hard moments easier. This simply could mean sending a text that says, “Any chance you have time to help me tomorrow?” Reflect on what simple actions make your day better. Maybe it is driving your car to work. Maybe it is opening the refrigerator and having food. Maybe it is walking up stairs. Maybe it is going to bed in a quiet, safe space. We all have small things we can appreciate. At the end of your day, think about 3 things that made your day easier and say thank you. Help others see the small things that make their day better. As you walk down the street with someone, say, “I’m grateful we are both able to do this.” As you sit down for a meal with family, say, “Look at this delicious meal, we are so lucky.” As you tuck your kids into bed, say, “Wow, It’s amazing that we have this cozy home that keeps us safe as we sleep.” Sharing this idea with others strengthens it for you and builds it as a concept for them. Just one comment a day, one reflection a day, one question a day can change how you experience life. Why not start with one small step today? |
| Stay curious, Dr. Marcie |
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