The Road #31: Finding Beauty in Ordinary Things
Rediscovering Joy in Everyday Moments
In a world that constantly pushes us to chase the next big thing, it’s easy to lose sight of the beauty that surrounds us every day. I’ve found myself guilty of this—always focusing on the next goal, the next achievement, the next milestone—only to realize I was missing out on the simple, ordinary moments that make life truly rich.
There’s something magical about slowing down and noticing the small things. A warm cup of coffee in the morning, the way sunlight filters through the trees, or the laughter of a loved one. These moments might seem insignificant, but when we pause to truly appreciate them, they have a way of grounding us and bringing us joy.
Why We Lose This Ability
As life gets busier and responsibilities pile up, we often shift our focus to what’s urgent rather than what’s meaningful. We’re conditioned to seek excitement, novelty, and big achievements, but in doing so, we forget that beauty isn’t always loud or grand—it’s often quiet and understated.
How to Reconnect with the Ordinary
1.Practice Mindfulness: One of the best ways I’ve found to appreciate the present moment is through mindfulness. Take a moment to truly experience your surroundings—notice the smells, sounds, and textures around you.
2.Be Curious: Approach your day with curiosity, as if you’re seeing things for the first time. Even mundane activities, like washing dishes or walking to work, can feel special when you bring curiosity to them.
3.Celebrate Small Wins: Not every day will have a major milestone, and that’s okay. Celebrate the little things, like a good conversation, finishing a book, or a sunny afternoon.
4.Capture the Moments: Keep a gratitude journal or take photos of things that catch your eye. This habit helps you actively look for beauty in your surroundings.
My Personal Journey
For me, finding beauty in the ordinary has been about intentionally slowing down. I’ve learned to put my phone down during walks, savor meals instead of rushing through them, and spend a few minutes each day reflecting on what brought me joy. It’s a small shift, but it’s made a world of difference.
Updates
New Instagram broadcast channel
I just started a broadcast channel on Instagram, a place where you can feel closer to me and my creative process. On this channel I share exclusive things from my day to day life, spoilers of upcoming content and much more. I hope you join and be a part of it.
Lisbon Diaries Season 2 coming on December 7th
Lisbon Diaries is back with season 2. This season will present a new vlogging style, with more unscripted videos since the first season videos was requiring a lot of time planning the videos. So, I hope you like the new style and enjoy.
Link Lowdown
A collection of links to stuff I think are worth sharing.
1 Second Everyday - Capture one second of your day to create a video diary that highlights the beauty of small moments.
“On Being with Krista Tippett” - Beautiful conversations about the meaning and wonder of ordinary life.
“The Book of Delights” by Ross Gay - A collection of essays celebrating the joys of everyday life.