A sense of wonder, or awe, is not necessary for a good life, but it’s definitely recommended. Awe can inspire us and remind us that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. Fortunately, being able to find and appreciate awe-inspiring moments is a skill that can be learned like any other.
We get caught up in the drama of what’s happening in our lives, the divorce and what that means moving forward. But taking a step back, seeing the larger picture and remembering what a small piece of it we are – in other words, giving ourselves the proper perspective – can help us to move forward with our healing.
Katherine May1, author of Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age, is an expert in the topic and she recently shared tips in her newsletter on how to encourage more awe in our lives.
She defines awe as…
- A sense of vastness, or ineffable power.
- A connection to greatness.
- A feeling of heightened reality.
- An experience of flow, or being in the moment – nothing else matters at that time.
- An immersion in beauty.
- A profound emotional connection to the moment that’s unfolding before you.
Why awe matters…
She writes about why awe matters, including that it comforts and soothes in difficult times, it reconnects us to our greater purpose and can help take us back into our bodies. Katherine argues that this sense of wonder is not a nice-to-have, but something necessary for survival. It’s also something that you can retrain yourself to notice more.
“Therefore, I started to explore the idea of ‘small awe’ or ‘enchantment’ as I call it – the micro experiences of awe that can be embedded in the everyday. These are the opposite of those big, surprising events that knock the breath from our lungs. Enchantment is a commitment to practising awe, to committing our attention to the world around us, and learning to feel its tingle of magic. It’s about choosing engagement over numbness and distraction, finding ways to engage and connect.”
I love the idea of embracing awe as it’s something I’m cultivating in my life. There are moments when I’m overcome with gratitude for where I live, when I see the sun rise over the water, when I feel emotional about how much I love living by the sea in Ireland. I’ve chalked it up to awe. A combination of feeling lucky for my surroundings, while also knowing what I’ve done to make these surroundings a reality.
I’d recommend reading the whole thing, as it’s gorgeous, but there are two tips that Katherine shares that I feel are especially important for the DD community.
Go on adventures. These don’t have to be big adventures and they don’t have to be done with others. Noticing beauty around you, taking a new way home, hearing the sounds of birds in your neighborhood – adventures are everywhere if you are open to them and excellent ways of welcoming wonder into your life.
Make contact with the outside every day. We’re big fans of this one. A good walk can help with so many things. Awe is abundant in nature so notice what you are drawn to, where your senses are most intrigued. The fresh air and opportunity to experience the outdoors is a gift that keeps giving. Take advantage of it and build that awe discovery muscle.
How are you rediscovering your sense of wonder? What is working for you?
- Katherine May is also the author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, among other books. You can find subscribe to her Substack newsletter for even more inspiration. ↩︎
