10 Simple Ways to Fall in Love With Your Life
You can learn to fall in love with the life you already have by exploring your world through a different lens.
There’s something magical about waking up and choosing to see the beauty in the ordinary—the way sunlight filters through your curtains, the warmth of your morning coffee, the familiar creak of your favorite chair. Life becomes richer when we slow down, soak in the small moments, and cultivate a mindset of gratitude.
Out here, in the vast stillness of the desert, where time feels softer and the sky stretches endlessly, we are reminded that beauty is always present—we just need to notice it. Here are some simple ways to embrace gratitude every day and romanticize the life you’re already living.
1. Begin Your Day With Thoughts of Joy
Before reaching for your phone in the morning, take a deep breath and think of three things in your life that make you smile. They don’t have to be grand—maybe it’s the comfort of your bed, a good book on your nightstand, or the promise of a new day. Starting with the practice of seeking joy sets the tone for a more mindful and appreciative day ahead.
2. Romanticize Your Routines
Who says your morning coffee can’t feel like an enchanting experience? At my home, I like to sit on the porch as the sun comes up, watching the light tickle the edges of the leaves as they wind their way around the chicken coop. The rooster crows (this can either be charming or annoying, choose your own adventure!). Our muscovy, named Mama Duck, loves to come waddle over to me with her cute little cheese feet, and say good morning. I love watching the steam rise off of my coffee cup, promising cozy, tasty warmth in the morning’s chill. Everything is peaceful, without the noise of the busy day, and I relish in that moment as something special that is just mine to hold on to, and carry that peace with me throughout the day.
Light a candle, play soft music, use your favorite mug. Find ways to elevate your daily rituals—whether it's wearing perfume just for yourself, setting the table beautifully for dinner, or writing in a journal with your best pen. Treat yourself like fancy company and use the good stuff. Don’t keep waiting for a day that is special for some reason, or even more, don’t wait until a day you feel like you deserve it. You do. Every day. The way you frame your life changes how you experience it.
3. Capture Small, Beautiful Moments
Imagine your life as a movie, where even the simplest moments deserve joy and appreciation. Take a mental snapshot (or a real one) of these simple moments, like golden-hour light spilling across your kitchen, the way your pet greets you after a long day, or a loved one laughing. Listen intently to the rain as it hits the roof. Savor all of the flavors in the food you are eating. Focus on your friend’s beautiful smile as you both laugh together.
In our digital world, we have every opportunity to create momentos of conscious gratitude and make a record of it to refer back to later. Consider setting up an instagram account with your happy memories. This can be anything from a selfie of you and your bestie, to a photo of your 8 year old rotweiler named Steve sleeping upside down.
These fleeting details are the poetry of daily life, and what a beautiful poem it is.
4. Write Down One Good Thing Each Day
In the depths of 2020, when life was so much more isolated and loss was all around me, I found myself in a deep depression, and so jaded that it was hard to see anything good. I realized I couldn’t remove the hard things from that side of the scale of my life. The only thing I could do is intentionally add good to the other side to try to find balance in my mental health and happiness again. I had to build new habits to do that on purpose. I made a point to list 10 positive moments or good things I noticed, every day. It wasn’t easy at first, and I had to really look for things in my life that were ok. Sometimes it was as simple as, “My blanket is soft.”
As I began this new habit, I found myself exhausted by straining my thoughts to figure out what I could write down. Finding 10 items to list felt like an impossible task.
After a few days of sticking to this pattern something amazing began to happen. Throughout the day I eventually found myself looking for things that I would be able to write down at the end of the day, so that I wouldn’t be straining to remember good things when I was also tired and exhausted. I started to notice good things everywhere around me.
The sunbeams were especially etherial for about 10 minutes as the storm clouds passed. The grass was cold and soft during a blazing hot summer day. I got to witness my kids doing silly things that all kids should get to do, and that maybe we wouldn’t have made time for in our busy schedules before. My son and my husband played catch. My daughter started a habit of journaling with me while we laid in the grass around sunset. My focus changed drastically to seeking things that make me happy, and I found that at the end of the day I felt happier and more satisfied with my life, even though realistically nothing but my perspective had changed. I began to fall in love with my life.
At the end of each day, jot down even one positive thing that happened, or challenge yourself to do as I did, and list 10. Maybe a stranger held the door for you, or you had a laugh with a friend, or your plants sprouted new leaves. This practice shifts your focus toward joy, even on the hardest days.
5. Engage Your Senses Fully
Slow down and savor what’s in front of you. Close your eyes when sipping tea, paying close attention to the temperature change when you sip it, the feel of the cup in your hands, the smell of it as you take a sip, the taste of the tea when it hits your tongue. When you’re doing the dishes let warm water wash over your hands, focusing on the relaxation and soothing feelings that soft warm water can have on a person. Inhale deeply when stepping outside and smell the air around you. Listen to the birds singing their songs, and the laughter of children as they ride their bikes on the way by. Count the clouds in the sky. Feel the breeze as it kisses your face.
The present moment is a gift—unwrap it slowly.
6. Express Gratitude Out Loud
Tell the people around you that you appreciate them. Compliment a friend, thank your barista, leave a kind note. Gratitude grows when we share it, and these small acts of appreciation strengthen our connections.
Expressing gratitude out loud is a simple yet powerful way to strengthen relationships and create a positive atmosphere in our daily lives. When we take the time to verbalize appreciation—whether it’s thanking a friend for their kindness, acknowledging a colleague’s effort, or telling a loved one how much they mean to us—it fosters connection and warmth. Spoken gratitude has the ability to uplift others, making them feel seen and valued, while also reinforcing our own sense of appreciation. Even small, sincere compliments or words of thanks can brighten someone's day and create a ripple effect of kindness.
Beyond improving relationships, speaking gratitude aloud shifts our mindset toward positivity. When we voice our appreciation, we become more attuned to the good in our lives, focusing less on what’s lacking and more on what’s abundant. This practice can be as simple as starting conversations with kind words, sharing daily highlights with family, or even thanking ourselves for personal growth. The more we express gratitude, the more natural it becomes, creating a habit that enriches both our inner world and the connections we share with others.
7. Take Walks Without Distractions
In our little desert rural community, I find great joy in taking daily walks down craggly dirt roads about an hour before sunset. Recently, I was greeted on the path by a little burrowing owl, a gorgeous black and white king snake (not at all venomous), and a jack rabbit as it skittered through the tall grasses. I found myself imagining what their world must be like and how they would spend their day. How pleasurable it must be to be so in tune with and a part of the natural world on a constant basis.
Step outside, leave your phone behind, and just be. Notice the way the wind moves through the trees, how the earth smells after rain, the way the sky changes throughout the day. There’s a natural rhythm to life that we often miss in our rush.
Taking walks without distractions allows us to reconnect with the present moment and truly experience the world around us. When we leave behind our phones, music, and to-do lists, we become more aware of the details that often go unnoticed—the warmth of the sun on our skin, the way the wind moves through the trees, the rhythmic sound of our footsteps. This kind of mindful walking can be meditative, giving our minds the space to wander freely and process our thoughts without interruption. It helps us slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the simple beauty of our surroundings, which can foster a sense of gratitude and contentment.
Beyond the physical benefits, distraction-free walks can also improve our mental and emotional well-being by offering a break from the noise of everyday life. Without the constant pull of notifications or background noise, we have the opportunity to reflect, gain clarity, and even find creative inspiration. These quiet moments of solitude help us reconnect with ourselves, reminding us of what truly matters. Over time, making a habit of walking without distractions can lead to a greater appreciation for life’s small joys, grounding us in the present and making us feel more at peace with where we are.
8. Treat Every Season as Special
Find something to love about each season, even the ones that aren’t your favorite. Cozy up with warm drinks in winter, embrace the slow heat of summer evenings, collect fallen leaves in autumn, watch desert wildflowers bloom in spring. Life feels more magical when we cherish its ever-changing nature.
Treating every season as special allows us to embrace the natural rhythm of life, finding beauty and joy in each phase of the year. Instead of longing for warmer days in winter or dreading the heat of summer, we can shift our perspective to appreciate the unique gifts each season brings. Winter offers a chance to slow down, cozy up with warm drinks, and enjoy quiet moments of reflection. Spring awakens the world with fresh blooms and renewal, reminding us of growth and new beginnings. Summer invites us to embrace long, sunlit days, outdoor adventures, and a sense of carefree joy. Autumn wraps us in golden hues, crisp air, and the comforting rituals of harvest time. When we celebrate these seasonal changes, we find something to look forward to year-round, making life feel richer and more intentional.
Beyond simply enjoying seasonal aesthetics, honoring each time of year helps us stay present and engaged in our daily lives. It encourages us to adapt our routines, habits, and traditions in ways that align with nature’s cycle—whether it’s eating seasonal foods, decorating our homes to reflect the time of year, or engaging in activities that match the season’s energy. This approach fosters mindfulness, gratitude, and a deeper connection to the world around us. Instead of rushing through life, always waiting for the “perfect” time, we begin to appreciate that every season holds something special, offering its own version of warmth, magic, and meaning.
9. Allow Yourself to Dream & Savor Your Achievements
These actions are incredibly important to me, and have impacted my world in enormous positive ways. I am a big believer in manifesting the life you want with vision boards, writing and planning things out, or even creating Pinterest boards that represent what you hope to have, do, or achieve. Similarly, celebrating my accomplishments has helped me to fight my internal instinct to default to imposter syndrome. It is a reminder to me that I have value to offer the world, I am good at things, and others have recognized that as well. Self worth is a huge benefit!
Dreaming is essential because it gives us a sense of purpose and direction, fueling our motivation to grow and evolve. When we allow ourselves to dream, we open the door to endless possibilities, giving shape to our aspirations and desires. Dreams inspire us to push beyond our comfort zones, try new things, and create a life that excites us. Whether they are grand ambitions or quiet personal goals, dreams provide hope and a sense of adventure, reminding us that our journey is always unfolding.
Even just on the physiological side of things, dreaming, and celebrating your own achievements provides a nice hit of dopamine and serotonin. It allows you to experience happy triggers like satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment, and optimism. Without dreams, life can feel stagnant, but with them, every day holds the potential for something new and meaningful.
Just as dreaming is important, so is recognizing how far we’ve already come. It’s easy to focus on what’s next, always chasing the next milestone, but pausing to acknowledge our accomplishments brings a deep sense of fulfillment. Looking back at our progress—whether it’s personal growth, skills we’ve developed, or challenges we’ve overcome—helps us appreciate our own resilience and hard work. Taking time to celebrate our achievements, both big and small, reinforces self-worth and gratitude. It reminds us that while dreaming of the future is wonderful, the life we are living right now is already something to be proud of.
It’s easy to chase the next goal without pausing to celebrate how far you’ve come. Take a moment to honor your journey—look back at old photos, reread journal entries, acknowledge the version of yourself who once wished for what you have now.
10. End Your Day with a Gratitude Walk or Reflection
Before I get into this I want to address the difference between a thankful mindset and toxic positivity. I want to point out that gratitude isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges; it’s about choosing to find light even in the shadows. We can’t pretend the hard things aren’t happening, and we absolutely should acknowledge them. However, learning to love your life even during the hard times happens when we slow down, romanticize our routines, and appreciate the details. We realize that the life we’ve been living all along is already beautiful, despite the scuffs and scars.
Before bed, I like to step outside and gaze at the Milky Way as the owls hoot their goodnight song. Sometimes I have deeper thought processes about the meaning of life, but more often than not it just allows me the chance to reflect on something that made me smile that day. Practicing gratitude at night helps me to drift into sleep with a peaceful mind and an open heart.
Fostering positive reflection at the end of the day helps shift our focus from what went wrong to what went right, cultivating a sense of gratitude and inner peace. One simple yet powerful way to do this is by keeping a reflection journal where you write down your 10 happy moments, or simply mentally reviewing three good things that happened before going to sleep. These moments don’t have to be monumental—they can be as simple as enjoying a warm meal, having a meaningful conversation, or witnessing a beautiful sunset. By consciously recognizing and appreciating these moments, we train our minds to focus on joy and fulfillment rather than stress or regrets. This practice not only improves our mood but also helps us wake up with a more positive outlook for the next day.
In addition to listing good moments, reflecting on personal growth and lessons learned can deepen our sense of self-awareness. Asking ourselves gentle, constructive questions—such as What did I handle well today? What am I proud of? What could I improve without self-judgment?—encourages a balanced perspective. Instead of dwelling on perceived shortcomings, this type of reflection allows us to recognize our progress while remaining compassionate toward ourselves. Ending the day with this mindset fosters self-acceptance and motivation, helping us rest with a sense of closure and readiness for a fresh start in the morning.
Here’s to embracing gratitude, and learning to really fall in love with your life, one small moment at a time. 🌿✨
