How To Find Happiness In The Little Things 

How to Be Happy in a Busy World: Finding Joy in the Little Things

I’ve noticed something lately—maybe you’ve felt it too.

We spend so much of our lives either replaying things from the past or worrying about what’s next.

I catch myself doing it all the time. One moment I’m thinking about something I said years ago, and the next I’m stressing about five things that haven’t even happened yet.

And here’s what hit me – in all that thinking, I was missing the moment I was actually living in.

The more I talked to people, the more I realized this is something a lot of us struggle with. We’re constantly moving, planning, reacting.

But somewhere along the way, we forget to just be here. Right now. In this very moment.

And that’s where I started shifting—just a little. I didn’t try to overhaul my whole life or meditate on a mountain.

I just began paying attention. And in those small pauses, I started to feel more grounded, calmer, even… happier.

Where I Started: Slowing Down on Purpose

It didn’t come from a book or a podcast—it came from tiny choices.

Like one day, instead of rushing through my coffee while answering emails, I sat by the window and just… looked outside.

The light was soft. The trees moved a little. And I felt something shift.

It’s such a small thing, but it reminded me that happiness doesn’t have to be some big, perfect achievement.

Sometimes it’s just being fully present for the five peaceful minutes between meetings.

Other times it’s something like taking a moment during my lunch break to enjoy my Snusdaddy —not while multitasking, just sitting, breathing, and noticing how it made me feel.

 A Quote That Landed For Me

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile. – Wilfred Grenfell 

Practice Gratitude

Sometimes a whole day – or maybe a string of days – might go by, and you don’t feel like anything good happened.

You might even think you’re having a streak of bad luck, or if you’re not superstitious, you might still feel miserable that nothing has been overly optimistic. 

The question is, though, is this the case? Have no positive events been happening? It might just be that you overlooked them.

This is why it’s a good idea to practice gratitude.

To do this, you take a moment to think back over the day and choose three (or more if you can) good things that happened that you can be thankful for.

This could be the smallest of things, such as receiving a delivery, the rain stopping just in time for you to go out, a discount on your favorite food at the store, and so on.

This way, you’ll make yourself feel happier and see how appreciating small things can boost your happiness levels quickly. 

Engage Your Senses 

Another excellent way to find more minor things in life that can make me happy is to engage my senses.

When we pay more attention to what we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch, we realize that these things make us happy and that we’re glad to have been able to experience them. 

So when you have the chance, make sure you engage your senses as much as you can, and you’ll find the most minor things in life that make you happy.

Once this becomes a habit, you’ll see more and more small things that please you, and your happiness levels will increase. 

Stay Mindful

Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions. Many of us get caught up in our heads and miss out on the present moment.

Train your brain to focus on the present moment rather than letting your thoughts wander.

Slow down a little bit and savor what’s happening right now.

Mindfulness is being present with all five senses.

Instead of just hearing a sound, tune in and identify where it’s coming from and where it’s going.

Doing this trains your brain to focus on the present moment, leaving no space to worry about the past or future.

Stop overthinking

Most of the time, the things we’re stressed about either haven’t happened yet—or already passed.

But our minds don’t always know the difference. And I’ve learned this the hard way.

Starting over at 40 came with a mix of emotions: relief, uncertainty, even fear.

I was carrying so much—memories, regrets, expectations—and my mind was constantly jumping between the past and the “what ifs” of the future. It was exhausting.

The anxiety wasn’t just mental anymore. I could feel it in my body.

My sleep was off, I felt constantly wired, and my energy was gone. That’s when I realized I needed something simple but consistent—wellness tools that helped me come back to the present.

Because when you’re constantly living in your head, you forget to feel alive in your own life.

You can revisit it later, but focus on the present for now.

• Start by recognizing when you’re overthinking: When you dwell on a particular thought or worry about something that hasn’t happened yet, take a moment to acknowledge that you’re overthinking.
• Take a deep breath: Once you’ve recognized that you’re overthinking, take a deep breath to help calm your mind and body.
• Ask yourself if the thought is productive: When you notice that you’re overthinking, ask yourself if the thought is constructive or simply causing unnecessary stress. If it’s not practical, try to let it go.
• Focus on the present moment: Instead of getting lost in your thoughts, focus on the present moment. Take a look around and notice your surroundings. Focus on your breath and the sensations in your body.
• Redirect your thoughts: If your mind keeps returning to the same idea, try redirecting your thoughts to something more positive or productive. You could try meditating, journaling, or talking to someone about your feelings.
• Practice self-compassion: Remember that it’s okay to have negative thoughts and emotions. Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion when you’re struggling with overthinking.

By practicing these steps regularly, you can learn to recognize when you’re overthinking and take steps to redirect your thoughts and focus on the present moment.