The Transformative Power of Life’s Little Pleasures.
How Savouring the Small Can Have a Big Effect in Motherhood.
As mentioned, I’ve recently became a new(ish) mum and naturally, the primary caregiver - as my husband spends his days in Zoom meetings attempting to financially support my hot mum coffees and our daughters baby yoga class.
I love mum life. But it’s full on.
In the early days, in a bid to stay sane – as sane as one can on broken sleep and lukewarm coffee – I decided that each day I’d have at least one non-negotiable. Something I’d do, for me, to allow some sort of respite from the dancing fruit soundtrack that (still, nearly 6 months in) plays on repeat in my head.
That thing for me was a shower.
Each night, before we began the bedtime routine, my husband would tap in to hold down the fort and I’d skip (Lol, sprint) upstairs for a scalding hot shower.
Sometimes I’d use the boujee shower gel bought with my accumulated Boots points (no one is affording Rituals on maternity leave), other times I’d just stand in the same spot for 10 minutes and stare at the pattern on the tiles in front of me.
Either way, this once routine task became my sacred space, allowing me time to breathe and providing a small break from the relentless cycle of overthinking, mum-iety and postpartum irrational thoughts.
My once mundane en-suite was a sanctuary where I could reclaim a sense of self and gather the strength needed to keep a tiny human thriving.
And it made me realise:
The me before motherhood chased life’s big pleasures and truthfully, associated happiness with major milestones and achievements. But in those early days, as I navigated this new chapter in my life, my nightly shower stood as a testament to the power of finding joy in the simplest of moments.
Here’s what I found:
Mindfulness
Focusing on life’s little pleasures allows us to be present in the moment, in turn encouraging mindfulness – something, as mums, we could all use a little more of. Being present in the simple moments can lead to greater awareness, acceptance, and overall life satisfaction.
Contentment
By focusing on life’s little pleasures, we can cultivate a profound sense of contentment, something so many of us struggle with as we try to navigate such a profound change. By focusing on the small joy’s, we can cultivate a sense of fulfilment amidst the complexities of modern life.
Calmness
The act of finding joy in simplicity can be a powerful antidote to stress and anxiety. Amidst the demands of motherhood, taking a minute to pause, to focus in on and appreciate the small pleasures, can provide much needed relief. Whether it’s savouring a warm cup of coffee in the morning, or witnessing a sunset in the evening, these moments offer respite from daily life and promote a sense of calm.
Gratitude
Actively seeking out and appreciating the little things cultivates a different, simpler sense of gratitude. Focusing on life’s little pleasures can cultivate gratitude for the blessings we have, ultimately boosting our mood.
Positivity
Life’s little pleasures serve as building blocks for a positive mindset. By intentionally focusing on what brings us joy, we shift our mental landscape towards optimism and train our brain to look for the positive, instead of automatically finding the negative, in turn enhancing our emotional wellbeing.
Nearly 6 months in, and my daily shower still stands testament to the fact that seemingly ordinary experiences have the potential to enrich our lives in profound ways.
So, here’s to finding joy in the simple, savouring the small, and celebrating the beauty of life’s little pleasures – they really do hold the power to brighten your day.