It’s The Little Things: Exploring
When fostering beauty with intention, it’s all about the “little things.” A hand-written note on stationary. A thoughtful question. Just the right music to fit the mood. As much as the grand gestures are things we look forward to, enjoy, and remember fondly, it’s the little things that make a life. Simple habits, surroundings, and companions along the journey that form the textures, tastes, and soundscapes of our ordinary days.
In previous posts in this series, we first considered the power of the little things in all things food and table, next in work and the workplace, then in rest, and finally, in hosting.
Today, we focus on exploring — venturing out your door to set off on an adventure, particularly those close to home, and emphasizing the little things.
01 | Cost-free excursions.
Exploring can become costly, depending on where it takes us. Consider what’s available to you that doesn’t cost a cent! If you’re in or near a city, many museums offer free days each month. Find out when these are and take advantage of the great collections to view.
Also, get out in nature. Whether a small nearby park or vast forest preserve, exploring nature can be both refreshing and a great way to foster wonder. Consider packing a simple picnic to eat in the open air.
Finally, don’t forget about libraries. Thumb through books on topics that interest you. Rather than searching the internet, sit down with a stack of books and pore over the pages. That tactile sensation is one of those little things that remind us we’re alive. And if you get the opportunity to leaf through any old books, relish their unique smell… that’s something special, too.
02 | Try a new coffee shop.
We all enjoy a bit of novelty now and again. For me, there’s something about visiting a new coffee shop that can transport me — I might be seated in or near Denver, but my mind could take me anywhere. Boston, Chicago, New York. Savannah, Portland, even a small mountain town.
My imagination switches on more easily and I enter the experience as an adventure more than “just another day.” As much as I delight in the places I frequent, the little change of trying something new feels particularly adventurous.
If your budget is tight, grab a drip coffee or tea in a mug “for here” and cozy into a small nook. If you have a bit to splurge, consider treating yourself to a special latte or a snack to accompany your beverage. It always feels extra special when I indulge in something freshly baked. And if you’re with a friend, share something — or things!
One last note: chat with the barista. This doesn’t have to be much; introvert or extrovert, find the courage to say something. Ask about what they like about working here, ask about something that has brought them joy lately… Maybe you’ll ask which drink or pastry is their favorite. Take an interest and let your curiosity guide the way. I find it can feel all the more satisfying to patronize a cafe when I’ve made a personal connection of some sort.
03 | Specialty shops.
I adore specialty shops, especially the ones that focus on cooking in some way. I walk the aisles secretly wishing I could afford to shop there once a week, thoughtfully filling up a small basket to purchase and carry home as I drop by the local boulangerie for a fresh baguette. Then I wake up and realize that a small jar of olives can’t cost me $12 regularly — sigh.
And yet, even if such prices aren’t sustainable on the daily, it can be quite a fun experience to splurge on something special, especially if it’s the sort of thing you can only find in a shop like that.
Maybe your jam is clothing boutiques. Maybe it’s home furnishing shops with a focus on interior design. I once purchased a darling little pitcher from such a shop, which is just perfect for syrup or milk. I couldn’t afford the furniture, but that teeny pitcher called my name, and I adore it each time I place it on the table for a weekend breakfast.
Finding a specialty grocery store to wander through, choosing one or two small things to treat yourself to and enjoy with a simple dinner (e.g., Peruvian sweet drop peppers, a small chunk of fine cheese, a special jarred pasta sauce, a treat or two to share over tea) can be a splendid way for broadening our horizons through new and novel experiences.
And finding little delights like the syrup and milk pitcher I purchased can be treasures that keep on giving each time they’re used. Thoughtful, adventurous little splurges may be money well spent.
04 | Historic sites.
Every place has a history, however grand or humble (and perhaps underappreciated). Appreciating where we are placed has a powerful way of both rooting us and providing a healthy dose of perspective.
What do you know about the place where you live? What historical sites might you be able to visit? Take some time to explore and learn about the history of this unique place — who walked that same ground before you? What events passed that helped to make this place what it is today?
If you have trouble finding historical sites to visit, try walking to something that you typically drive or take public transit to reach — seize the opportunity this walk affords to see your place anew. When we zoom around in automobiles and other motorized forms of transportation, we fail to see what’s only available to the eye when moving at the pace of our walking strides.
05 | Attitude.
This final little thing is easily the most significant of all. Far too often, I find that I alone am to blame for whether or not I enjoy an adventure. When I’m uptight, particular, and holding tightly to deep-set expectations, it’s easy to become disappointed, even bitter. Rather than being adaptable to the unexpected, too often I become rigid, which leads to feeling frustrated, sad, or angry.
However, when I have a more flexible outlook, I find that I’m far more able to enjoy myself — and the company of others — in exploring, come what may. Seek to foster and maintain an attitude that is open to receive. This includes being flexible, adaptable, spontaneous, and looking for adventure and fun, whatever the circumstances.
It may rain on your picnic. Let it be a source of laughter and delight! The restaurant may not be what you had anticipated; either embrace it for what it is or change your place without holding onto frustration. An attitude of adaptability is a powerful thing.
In short…
Whether you’re seeking to have an adventure without dropping a cent, or have a bit of budget to splurge, there are many ways to embrace the little things as a gateway to exploration.
You might try out some new shops, cafes, parks, or historical sites, or you might revisit the familiar while fostering attention and a loving eye to see anew. Above all, remember to keep an open heart to receive what comes your way.
