Enjoy the small things! I know, I get it, how original! We’ve all heard this before so why am I going to waste your time writing a blog post about it. Do you though? Whoever is reading this right now, do you actually take time and love the small things? I know I took a ton for granted and used to not take time to actually really appreciate all the awesome things happening around me. It took me getting very sick and being in some sort of pain and discomfort every single day of my life to really learn to embrace this cliché. Everyday I wear a green wristband that says “Love the small things” to remind myself. I live by this so much I probably come across as crazy to a lot of people. I get so pumped up about the small stuff and am extremely vocal about it that I get a ton of strange looks my way. I saw a fox the other morning on my way to work and it made my whole day! My coworker didn’t seem as excited as me though as I wouldn’t shut up about it at the timeclock at 4:30 am when he was still trying to wake up. It’s weird to me that people will bitch and moan and complain and no one bats an eye. Then there’s me getting super excited about small things and letting people know and I’m somehow the crazy one! There is so much awesome stuff all around us! I will run outside while I’m working to look at the sun rise! Everyday when I leave work I eat an apple, I call it my freedom apple as I eat it while I walk out the door. I swear everyday it tastes like the best apple I’ve ever ate, I get that pumped for it. I feel like I’ve always done a good job at loving the small things but I definitely got lost for a while after first getting diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Being sick everyday and battling through things will take a toll on you mentally. I had to make so many lifestyle changes that I focused on all the stuff that I couldn’t do anymore. I felt awkward going places and not being able to drink and was so scared of ticks that I didn’t even go out in nature the first year after being diagnosed. I would just dwell on all the things I missed. I was not surfing my storm at all. Thankfully I snapped out of my funk. There is a wall decal in my living room that says “Enjoy the simple things.” It’s been there for so long it’s just one of those things you overlook. For whatever reason It caught my eye one afternoon and as I read it, it was like a moment of awakening. I told myself right there I was going to get back to not taking anything for granted and to start noticing all the great stuff that happen daily in life that sometimes go overlooked. It felt forced at first I’m not going to lie, but after reminding myself daily it became natural. (Quick sidenote- If you don’t know what the reticular activating system in your brain is then google it!!! You can literally train your brain to appreciate the small things!) Probably the two top things that have helped me the most are going out in nature and watch my two kids.
How awesome are kids?! They get so excited about little things. My three year old saw a school bus drive by and by the way he reacted you would’ve thought he saw a unicorn run by the house! I got a coffee this morning at the convenience store and I let my seven year old pick out something. He grabbed a slim jim, he was so excited about it you would’ve thought he won a prize or something. Also, how cool are convenience stores? There is so many different options of drinks and snacks. They have so much, but do you ever get excited when you’re in them? Maybe next time you go in you should!
How about Nature! Get outside and explore! I’m so glad I started hiking again. There is so much beauty and incredible things out there! The world can be a playground if you look at it right! Go find a trail and be present as you when you walk it. Hear the birds! Breathe the fresh air! Study the flowers! Watch the wildlife! Enjoy the sunrises and sunsets! Download one of the trail apps and go find some hidden gems in the area near you.
Doing these things certainly won’t heal you of any health issues you’re having but it will definitely help you find a renewed appreciation for life while you surf your storm! I should probably wrap this up now as I feel like I might have been kind of all over the place but hopefully My ADHD style of writing provided some value! So getup tomorrow and start loving the small things. As always I hope you have the best week ever!
Crush It!
Justin
[…] days that I’ve learned to not even just appreciate the small little things but LOVE them.https://surfthestorm.com/love-the-small-things/ Friends and family joke and laugh at me because I’m always know for saying “It was the […]