A little while back, reader Kristin commented on a post here and said she wished she was a person who could go through life really enjoying things; she said she thinks she’s too uptight to be very good at that.
Kristin and I are virtual twins in a country mouse/city mouse way, so I resonated with this feeling a bit. Sometimes I have trouble enjoying the moment because I am always thinking ahead into the future.
On the other hand, there are some times where I know I do savor and appreciate the moment or the thing. I think people call this “being present”.
One thing that came to mind was my appreciation for dry, temperate weather. At the end of summer, when we first start to get drier, cooler air, I especially revel in that. I wiggle my toes and notice how they don’t stick together, I appreciate that the wood floors are no longer sticky, I notice the lovely air when I get in and out of my car, and so on.
Another experience I routinely enjoy and appreciate is getting into my bed. I love going to bed, as I’ve shared before, and although we’ve had our Saatva mattress for many years now, I still often hop into bed and comment how good it feels.
Sometimes I have this full-on enjoyment experience with food too; crusty homemade bread, hot from the oven does it for me. Or a really good sandwich! Or my grandma’s sweet rolls.
I am able to be present and enjoy hugs too, like a hug with my kids or Mr. FG. And I know I soaked in the many times when my babies fell asleep on my shoulder after I fed and burped them.
I think I often notice and enjoy beautiful sighs, and I think that’s directly related to my interest in photography. The more you take photographs, the more you noticed a beautiful drop on a leaf, a gorgeous ray of light, or even a lovely loaf of bread.
One last one: when I am all by myself, I sometimes will let out a big exhale and just really appreciate the relaxation of the quietness.
So. Maybe I am better at this than I thought!
Yes, I think you are definitely better at this than I am. Because we’re not REALLY the same person, even accounting for the i/e thing. 🙂
One thing I really, truly can enjoy, every time, is my morning walk with the dogs. It’s getting harder to do it as the sun comes up later and my kids still get up early, but on the days I can get out for that perfect first light and stand on our dirt road reveling in silence, it never fails to make me feel better.
Alsp, many food things, but especially harvesting from my garden.
A walk in the woods when the weather is perfect and it’s the less-bugs time of year. I enjoy the smells, the sounds, and the solitude.
When I was young and lived where we got snow occasionally: a silent, snowy morning, when the snow was unspoiled, the house was quiet and I had nowhere to be. I could just sit and soak it in.
Time alone on a cool rainy day, with a good book and a snoozing dog.
Time spent with my grandkids. I am not worrying about packing lunches, enforcing chores, finishing laundry – that’s the things their parents have to do. I just enjoy them in the time while I’m with them.
It’s kind of funny where you said you enjoy beautiful sighs, and how being a photographer enhances that. I had just figured that out🙃😀when I read the next part about having a big exhale… which I guess IS a sigh!
So, nature and gardening are way up there for me, too. Also floating on an inflatable, preferably in a natural body of water, is my ultimate!
Initially I, too, was skeptical that I’d come up with something. But that would be ridiculous. My life isn’t splashy, but it’s genuinely good.
A hot shower at o’dark-thirty.
Freshly washed sheets in a freshly made bed.
The no-churn lemon-cream-salt ice cream that salvages the tail end of many a quart of cream.
Liturgical worship.
Driving an old-favorite road; similarly, riding with a trusted driver.
Attending an event where I have no responsibility, like the library’s annual author talk or the not-my-church Bible study.
Realizing I’ve been doing it wrong (no matter what it is) but that it’s easy to change.
I skipped my major one (errors and omissions! bane of my life) which is a visit to our pasture about 20 miles from home. I don’t know what it is, but get me out there, and all the cares and worries just fade away for a while. It’s pretty amazing.
Listening to the snow fall at night, when every noise is muted.
Oh yes, I love that about snow. Everything is so quiet!
Ohhhhh…the silence is the snow falling is one of my absolute favorites!
We live in the desert, so one thing I truly really enjoy is a good thunderstorm or even a cold rainy day when I can just snuggle inside with the kitties and watch our plants drink up all that extra water! Also fresh bread right out of the oven, a nice hot soak in the tub, and relaxing with a new magazine. Oh, I LOVE those moments with a brand new magazine! Little things, but all really enjoyable moments.