I read an article recently that discussed how uncomfortable we have become with having carefree, lazy daisy weekends. We work long hours, drive the kids to all their activities, and keep ourselves super busy domestically. We fill our heads with ideas on retiring financially stable, we google or read books that inform us about ‘how to’ projects, and we’ve usually got several goals on the go. It occurred to me that, for the most part, we have lost the art of savouring life.
It took me back to when I was a girl and we appreciated the balance between work, family, and passing the time. We didn’t have 24 hour shopping and Sundays were reserved for family fun, socialising, and relaxation. Of course, we might argue that we wouldn’t give up the lifestyle we have today. But, we could all do with more of less.
To savour something means enjoying it, appreciating it, and paying complete attention to it. It means lingering over the pleasurable, positive aspects of the experience. It’s being aware of using all the senses. Research suggests that if an area of the brain (the ventral striatum) that is connected to feelings of reward, is activated and sustained over time, we are more likely to experience positive emotions for longer. This of course has flow on effects to our wellbeing and life satisfaction.
With the new year behind us, it’s now a good time to remind ourselves to savour our experiences. So, I’ve come up with a list that I hope will inspire you to lose yourself in these moments.
Send us your own savouring experience ideas on our Facebook page and I will add them to the list. I’ve come up with 54, enough to do one a week for a year. Feel free to join me in this exercise and then let’s share our experiences. When engaging in one, feel it with all your senses. You can cross them off the list as you do them. If you are stressed or have some emotional problems getting in the way of savouring life, then give Marie a call on 0411 319 990 to get back on track in living in the moment.
