A quiet pause that changes everything
It was just a normal evening. I was walking home after training, headphones in, the city buzzing around me. Then suddenly, I looked up. The sky was painted in soft shades of pink and purple, and for a moment, everything slowed down. I stopped in my tracks. No rush, no to-do list. Just me, the sky, and this overwhelming sense of wonder.
That was awe. And it was not in some grand adventure or once-in-a-lifetime trip. It was in a fleeting, everyday moment that I almost missed.
What is awe, really?
Awe is that feeling you get when you stand at the edge of the ocean, when you hear your favorite song live, or when you notice the way sunlight hits a tree just right. It is a mix of wonder, amazement, and deep presence.
Scientists say awe happens when something challenges the way we see the world, making us feel both smaller and more connected at the same time. It can come from something vast like a mountain, but also something tiny like a raindrop on your window.
The truth is, awe is everywhere. We just forget to look.
Why awe matters more than you think
Awe has real, powerful effects on our lives.
1. Awe reduces stress
Studies show that when we feel awe, our bodies calm down. Heart rate slows, cortisol (the stress hormone) drops, and we feel lighter. It is like a natural reset button.
2. Awe makes us happier
Even a few minutes of awe a day can boost mood and increase life satisfaction. It reminds us of beauty, even when life feels heavy.
3. Awe connects us to others
When you share a sunset, a concert, or even a funny moment with someone, awe deepens the bond. It takes us out of our heads and into something bigger.
4. Awe shifts perspective
Suddenly, the small annoyances do not feel as big. Traffic, deadlines, and stress shrink when compared to the vastness of the sky or the miracle of a flower blooming.
The beauty of small moments
We tend to think awe requires something massive like the Grand Canyon, a big promotion, or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. But most of us do not have those every day. The good news is that awe hides in the ordinary.
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Watching your dog tilt its head when you speak
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Feeling the warmth of your coffee mug in the morning
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Hearing a child laugh uncontrollably
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Seeing the way light dances on the floor through your curtains
The trick is noticing.
How to invite more awe into your daily life
Here are some ways I have been practicing finding awe in small moments. Try them, and see which ones speak to you:
1. Look up
Literally. Notice the sky, whether it is day or night. Clouds, stars, moonlight. It is a free show that changes daily.
2. Slow down
Rushing kills awe. Give yourself permission to pause, even for 30 seconds, to notice what is around you.
3. Practice mindful walks
Leave your phone in your pocket and pay attention to the crunch of leaves, the sound of birds, the smell of rain.
4. Keep an awe journal
At night, write down one thing that amazed you today. Over time, you will start noticing more.
5. Be curious
Ask questions like a child. Why is the sky that color? How does a butterfly even exist? Curiosity leads to awe.
My small awe moments lately
Training for triathlons has taught me to notice awe in places I did not expect. Like the way my breath feels during a long run, or the calm silence when I am cycling early in the morning before the city wakes up.
It is not just about performance anymore. It is about presence. About realizing how lucky I am to even be here, moving, breathing, alive.
The ripple effect of awe
When we find awe in small moments, something shifts inside us. We become more patient. More grateful. More open. And that ripple spreads outward. Our relationships improve, our stress lightens, our creativity expands.
Awe is not just good for us, it is good for the world. Imagine if more people paused to notice the beauty around them. Wouldn’t the world feel a little softer, kinder, more connected?
Awe is waiting for you
You do not need to climb Everest or see the Northern Lights to feel awe. It is in the steam rising from your tea, in the laughter of a friend, in the quiet of a Sunday morning.
The question is: will you notice?
Because awe is not rare. It is everywhere. Waiting for you to look up, slow down, and feel it.