by Diane
Life is filled with small moments. My life is a collection of small moments with some big ones thrown in every now and then. This is not very profound, but I forget the impact of this thought. What it means is that the little moments have the potential to make or break my day.
How does that translate into an average day? Because my day is filled with little moments, I try to include lots of positive little snippets, experiences that make me feel good. For example, the time of day I take my shower impacts how I feel. If I wear my pajamas until 2 pm, then I end up feeling blah, so I try to shower and dress in the morning. Making my bed only takes a few minutes, so I usually take that few minutes. The result for me is calm when I enter my bedroom, which I do multiple times a day, so those few minutes are well spent. On some days, I don’t make my bed, and it doesn’t matter. It depends on the day and how I feel that day.
Some days I do my hair and makeup. Others I do not. Right now, I am wearing no makeup, and my hair is a frizzy poof. I may attempt to tame my mane later if I go out of the house. That will depend on what I feel like in the moment.
Some days are easier to influence than others. If my daughter is glued to my legs all day, then I have less opportunity to build in experiences I’d like to have that day, but I can take a few minutes after my husband gets home or take a nap when she does. The crazy days are harder by far, but there is always something small I can do for myself each day.
Some days are a total loss for one reason or another. We all have these days. I might feel totally down and unable to accomplish anything. On these days, getting dressed is an achievement. When these times happen (not often anymore, thankfully), I try to give myself permission to take a day off. If I close the closet doors, I don’t see the laundry. If I take a nap, I can get a mental break. If I order pizza, I don’t have to plan dinner. If I go shopping, I can escape for a while. Either way, the lousy day will come to an end, leaving me with a chance to have a better tomorrow.
I have found freedom in giving myself permission to enjoy the little moments and intentionally do little things to help me relax. All of these small choices are occurrences that don’t make much difference in the realm of life but make a difference in my mood. That alone makes the small moments big.
Whatever your day is like today, wherever you are, I hope that you can enjoy a happy little moment. You deserve it.
