Rich in Life
Written By : Grace Weidenhamer
Unless you’ve been unplugged for the past year, you’ve probably seen the “I’m rich in life because...” trend. Some use it to show off a cliffside view from their most recent European vacation, while others adapt it to mean the luxury of sitting in a cafe on a Sunday afternoon reading a good book.
I love this trend for both reasons. First, because I do think there’s a wealth you obtain by having seen some of Earth’s greatest marvels, if you're lucky enough to see them. There are certain views that do, indeed, take your breath away and remind you that you are just a floating piece of debris in the universe.
Second, because I am envious of people who can just sit still, enjoy the slow life, and not be constantly thinking about what to do next.
As much as I’d love to be rich in experiences and adventures, there’s a certain beauty in using the quiet moments to really live.
You know the feeling you get on vacation when you’re laying on the beach or by the pool, a sweet mist on your face, the sun baking you perfectly from the outside - in. A sprawling afternoon ahead of you and nothing to do but simply enjoy your surroundings. Maybe you’re in the middle of a new book or chatting with friends. Taking periodic dips in the water and playing catch with your siblings. It’s the feeling of literally soaking up every single moment out of the day, and never wanting to move on. Never wanting it to end.
That’s the kind of richness I desire. To soak up every moment, experience every sensation, feel every change of the wind, watch as the shadows grow longer. That’s a type of wealth I aspire to obtain.
In our normal lives, most of us don’t have sun-soaked afternoons or time for a leisurely morning walk. You may have ten minutes to read at bedtime before you can’t keep your eyes open any longer.
Capturing this feeling is easier said than done, but it doesn’t have to be reserved for week-long beach vacations.
Here are a few ideas to curate these moments in your ordinary life:
● Take an afternoon off to simply wander your town. Be like a tourist in your own city. Have no agenda. Pop into bookstores, sit alone at a coffee shop, and most importantly, don’t think about where to go next.
● Wake up a little bit early, not to make the 5 am workout class, but to crack open your book in candlelight with a cup of tea and your favorite blanket.
● Take an evening walk in nature (safely, of course). Mornings can feel rushed, and this walk isn’t about getting your steps in. Go without a podcast, without music, without your phone for that matter. Take your digital camera or a friend and simply exist.
● Take an actual lunch break at work. I’m guilty of eating at my desk so that I can leave a little earlier. Take yourself to a restaurant, or if you want to pack, find a quiet room or bench outside and actually enjoy your meal, sans screens.
● Plan time during the week to enter your flow state. Sometimes, we have to plan out our hobbies. Buy tickets to your favorite sporting event, start that painting, try that restaurant, watch that movie, go to that social event you’ve been wanting to attend. It’s okay to indulge in activities you enjoy during the week.