In the Midst of Major Changes, Find Joy in the Simple Things

By Christine Murray

I have a small obsession every spring in North Carolina: Pink dogwood tree blossoms! Every spring, I’m always on the lookout for pink dogwood blooms, and this past spring was no exception. I snapped this photo on one of my springtime walks when I found one along my path:

I have nothing against the more common white dogwood flowers, and I also took this picture in my neighborhood this spring:

I love it when all of the dogwood trees are in bloom, as this is always a sign of warmer temperatures ahead, but there’s just something extra special about the pink ones to me. I think I love them so much because they’re rarer than the white dogwood blossoms. I’d estimate that for every 20 or more white dogwood trees I see, I see one pink one. Something about the pink ones just calls my name, and I truly feel so much joy whenever I find one I can get close enough to admire and take a picture of!

I must confess, however, that I’ve not always been the type of person to allow myself to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life like spotting a favorite tree blooming in spring. Especially when times are busy–like the season of job transition and other life changes that I’ve been in the midst of for a while now–I’ve had a hard time finding the space to enjoy simple pleasures and stay present in the moment.

And yet, it’s actually during the busiest seasons in life that it can be most important to practice mindfulness and to allow ourselves to enjoy simple joy amidst the busyness. Finding joy in simple things during busy times of transition is important because it can bring a sense of calm amid chaos. 

If you’re like me and find yourself having a hard time slowing down enough to enjoy simple moments, here are a few tips:

1. Slow your pace (whenever possible) to give yourself the time and space to notice small moments of joy. Seasons of change can be very busy, so we can’t always slow down our pace too much, but even by taking a few slower moments throughout the day, we can open up opportunities to pay attention to potential sources of joy in the world around us.
2. Reduce distractions. Often, when I’m out walking, I like to listen to podcasts or music. However, when I went out looking for pink dogwood blossoms this spring, I found it helpful to walk in silence so I was more attuned to the world around me. I wouldn’t even stand a chance of seeing the flowers if I was glued to my phone! Try to have some low- or no-distraction times, even during really busy seasons.
3. Be intentional about looking for joyful things. You may not be as singularly focused as I was when I was out looking for pink dogwood trees, but try to be proactive about looking for positive things (or experiences, or special moments with the important people in your life). Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to overlook the things and moments in life that could bring us greater joy. But by bringing intention to our search, we are much more likely to notice opportunities for joy.
4. Let gratitude sink in. This might sound silly, but when I find a pink dogwood tree, I like to stop and admire it for a few moments. Of course, sometimes I have to just walk on by, but my springtime quest for pink dogwood trees is a reminder to me that it’s important to practice gratitude in the moment. After all, the trees are only in bloom for a short while, and then it’ll be another year before I have the chance to see one again. There’s a lot of research on the benefits of practicing gratitude. It can be challenging to keep up a gratitude practice during seasons of a lot of transitions and stress, but simple joys can help us connect with our appreciation, even in busy times. 

It’s June now, so pink dogwood season is already in the past here in North Carolina. I’ve had to look for other little sources of joy now, and I encourage you to do the same. Embracing moments of simple joy–even during really busy times–goes a long way toward fostering our mental health and keeping us grounded in the present moment. What simple joys might you seek out today?