Gratitude Photo

Gratitude Photo.  (from NYT article by Tara Parker-Pope)

Take a fresh look at the people, places and things in your life. Now snap a photo. It could be a building you haven’t noticed before, a tree in your yard, children playing or your pet. 

When people talk about life after the pandemic, they often say they’ll never take the small things in life for granted again — going into the office, meeting friends for dinner or just getting a haircut.

So how do you keep from sliding back into complacency? A few studies offer simple ways to keep appreciating the world around you.

When we make an effort to notice our surroundings or show appreciation for the people, places or things that make us happy, it’s called “savoring.” Scientists know that savoring exercises can lead to meaningful gains in overall happiness and well-being.

One small study found that mindful photography can be a fun and easy way to savor everyday experiences and cultivate gratitude. For the research, college students were instructed to take photos of things that brought them joy or felt meaningful to them. They were also told not to rush and to put some thought into the project. During the study, the students used their phone cameras to take pictures of campus buildings, blooming flowers, friends hanging out in the quad or objects in their dorm rooms.

(I learned about this article from Rob Walker newsletter)