You know that feeling when you’re rushing around, trying to juggle a million things at once, and then—bam!—you stop and realize you haven’t really enjoyed any of it? I was having one of those “go-go-go” days when I stumbled upon this quote:
“Enjoy the little things in life … for one day you’ll look back and realize they were the big things.” – Unknown.
At first, I kind of brushed it off. I mean, life’s busy, right? Who has time to slow down? But then, the more I thought about it, the more I realized—this quote is a total game-changer.
We’re so obsessed with big milestones—getting that promotion, finishing a book, traveling to the dream destination—things that feel like they define our success or happiness. But what about all the stuff in between? The tiny, almost forgettable moments that happen while we’re on our way to those big things?
I’m talking about the morning cup of coffee that’s just perfect. The kind where the steam curls up, filling the room with that rich, comforting aroma. Or when you’re walking down the street and the sun hits you in just the right way, warming your face like a big, invisible hug. Yeah, those moments.
I know, I know, it sounds a little corny, but I swear, when you really start paying attention, you notice these little things all around you. And suddenly, your day doesn’t feel as rushed. It’s like you’ve hit “pause” and you get a moment to just breathe.
Here’s the thing, though. Life has this weird way of speeding by, right? One minute, you’re planning your week, and the next, it’s already the weekend and you feel like you haven’t fully experienced the days in between. For me, there’s this urge to always be “productive,” to tick things off the to-do list, and it’s easy to forget about those small moments that don’t seem like they matter in the grand scheme of things.
But when you do take a step back, you realize those are the moments that make up life. Think about it—how often do we catch ourselves laughing at something silly? Or remember the last time someone gave you an unexpected compliment? It’s those little slices of joy that sneak into our everyday routine, and they end up being the things you remember when you look back.
I can’t help but think of my favorite bookshops (you know, the cozy ones that smell like old pages and coffee). I’ve spent hours wandering through those aisles, with no real agenda except to get lost in the stories. The quiet hum of the shop, the soft shuffle of pages, the smell of aged paper—it’s one of those things that makes my soul happy. It’s nothing huge, but when I look back, I think that’s what I’ll remember: not the big trips I’ve taken, but the small, peaceful moments spent with a book and a coffee in hand.
And here’s another one—pets. Okay, I think back to when I used to have my cat, but those little moments when he would hop on my lap and snuggles up for no reason other than he felt like it—that is pure bliss. It doesn’t get more simple than that, but when I think about the kind of comfort I’ll look back on years from now? That’s it.
You might be thinking, “But how can these things really matter in the long run?” Well, that’s exactly why they do. They’re the things that make us feel connected to ourselves, to others, to the world around us. These tiny little moments fill in the spaces between the “big things.” They’re the ones that give you that warm, fuzzy feeling when you’re remembering your past.
The truth is, we often get caught up in thinking life is all about the major milestones. It’s like we’re so focused on reaching the “big stuff” that we forget the little moments are what build the foundation for our happiness. One day, you might look back and realize that the happiness wasn’t just in the big achievements—it was in the way the rain smelled after a storm or how your favorite song made you feel on a random Tuesday. It’s those moments that add up and build your story.
So, here’s my challenge to you (and myself): Start paying attention to the little things. Don’t wait until it’s too late to realize what you had. Take a pause, notice the details, and let yourself really feel them. Whether it’s a shared laugh with a friend, the feeling of soft sheets on your skin at the end of a long day, or the quiet moment when you’re staring out at the sunset—you’ll realize that these little things, in all their simplicity, are actually what makes life big.
At least, that’s what I’m telling myself the next time I’m rushing through my day.