12 Tiny Things

1. Create Space to Find Potential, Power, and Peace

In the space between is potential, power, and peace.

Prioritize empty space. In a world of constant stimuli and the pressure for "more," we often overfill our lives, leading to overwhelm and paralysis. Just as negative space defines the beauty of a font or the room between notes creates music, intentional empty space in our lives provides stability and allows new possibilities to emerge.

Saying no creates space. Carving out space requires courage, often meaning saying no to things that drain us, whether physical clutter, overbooked schedules, or negative thought patterns. Decluttering our homes, calendars, and minds allows us to see clearly and prioritize what truly matters, moving from a place of scarcity to abundance.

Tiny acts make a difference. Creating space doesn't require grand gestures; it starts with small, intentional acts. Taking a mindful breath, noticing the space between objects, or simply pausing before reacting can shift perspective and foster a sense of calm, helping us feel rooted amidst chaos.

2. Practice Presence to Remember How to Live

Practicing presence is remembering how to live.

Work is more than a job. Our culture often equates our identity and worth with our paid jobs, asking "What do you do?" instead of "Who are you?" True work encompasses how we show up to all tasks, finding meaning not just in the outcome but in the process and our presence within it.

Be present in the moment. Dissatisfaction often arises when we focus on tedious tasks or dream of doing something else. By becoming mindful of our posture, intentions, and the people we interact with, we can find satisfaction and meaning in the here and now, transforming mundane tasks into rewarding experiences.

Start the day mindfully. Beginning the day in the analog world, away from screens, helps ground us in tangible reality. This simple act of presence allows us to notice the beauty around us, connect with the natural world, and approach our workdays, whatever they entail, with a more genuine and rooted energy.

3. Cultivate Spirituality Through Attention and Ritual

Attention is the beginning of devotion.

Spirituality is in noticing. Beyond organized religion, spirituality is about paying attention to the sacred in the ordinary moments of life. It's found in the fleeting beauty of evaporating calligraphy, the rhythm of daily practices, and the connection we feel to the earth and other creatures.

Ritual makes the intangible tangible. Incorporating ritual and practice into our days, whether through mindful breathing, walking in nature, or simple acts like folding laundry with affection, helps us acknowledge and pay tribute to the beauty and truth that transcends time and place. It adds depth to monotony.

Find devotion in repetition. Returning to a practice again and again, like the cyclical nature of seasons, builds depth and resilience. This art of repetition, whether personal or communal, helps us feel grounded in reality while connected to the vastness beyond human life, fostering a sense of belonging in an interdependent web.

4. Engage Mindfully with Food as Everyday Alchemy

Breaking bread mindfully is everyday alchemy.

Food is transformative. From simple ingredients, food is transformed into life-giving nourishment, a process akin to alchemy. Engaging mindfully in sourcing, preparing, sharing, and eating food connects us to this elemental process and the cycle of life.

Mindfulness deepens connection. Paying attention to where our food comes from, who grew it, and the flavors and textures as we eat, deepens our connection to the earth and ourselves. This intentional engagement can heal complicated relationships with food and foster a sense of belonging and empowerment.

Sharing food builds community. Cooking and sharing food is a deeply human act that builds community and celebrates culture. Whether through food swaps, family meals, or simply sharing a mindful bite, engaging with food intentionally creates something from scratch that feeds us holistically.

5. Develop Style by Aligning Inner and Outer Beauty

Curate a life that aligns your radiant inner and outer beauty.

Style is self-expression. Style is not about being fashionable or expensive, but about being awake and aware of self and surroundings. It's an outward celebration of our inner being, an alignment of who we are with how we present ourselves and curate our environment.

Notice what you notice. Developing style is akin to finding your authentic writing voice; it emerges from paying attention to what resonates with you. Embracing your natural hair, choosing clothes that make you feel comfortable and confident, or decorating your home in a way that brings joy are acts of self-awareness and acceptance.

Style informs consumption. Cultivating a personal style acts as a meaningful filter, guiding purchasing decisions towards quality items that align with values and bring joy, rather than accumulating clutter. It's about valuing beauty enough to build a beautiful life, reflecting pride in the life we are curating.

6. Connect with Nature to Find Healing and Wonder

We need the tonic of wildness.

We are part of nature. Despite modern life's removal from the earth, humans are inherently wild creatures. Remembering our interwoven roots with nature helps us shed bleak moods and feel grounded, recognizing our place in the vast, interconnected web of life.

Nature offers wonder and healing. Stepping outside, touching something wild, or simply looking up at the sky invites a sense of awe that reminds us of our simultaneous smallness and vastness. This connection provides perspective, softens us, and offers solace, helping us respond to challenges with greater resilience and calm.

Embrace daily interaction. Even a few minutes outside each day can make a significant difference. Whether it's feeling the sun on your skin, listening to the wind, or noticing the details of a plant, intentional interaction with nature helps us remember abundance and find moments worth celebrating amidst the ordinary.

7. Foster Healthy Communication by Seeing and Being Seen

Healthy communication fosters seeing and being seen.

Technology impacts connection. While technology offers incredible potential for connection, it can also limit authentic communication by fostering passive consumption and distraction. Navigating its role requires intentionality, setting boundaries to ensure it enhances, rather than hinders, genuine human interaction.

Seeing and being seen matters. True communication involves vulnerability and the willingness to let ourselves be known, while also making the effort to truly see and listen to others. This mutual recognition brings the humanity and dignity we crave, moving beyond curated online profiles to authentic three-dimensional relationships.

Practice intentional connection. Whether through handwritten letters, focused conversations, or simply putting away devices to be fully present, practicing intentional communication strengthens bonds. It's a slow art that requires effort but fosters empathy, understanding, and deeper intimacy in our relationships.

8. Find Home Within by Practicing Gratitude

Gratitude, embodied, is to find home within.

Home is more than a place. While physical dwellings provide shelter, a true sense of home is an internal feeling rooted in gratitude and contentment. It's about finding peace and possibility regardless of external circumstances, whether renting, owning, or living a transient lifestyle.

Gratitude shifts perspective. Focusing on what is good, even amidst hardship and challenges, cultivates a lens of abundance. Practicing gratitude, like writing down three things you're thankful for daily, helps us notice the little delights that fill the gaps and build strong internal roots.

Plant seeds of astonishment. Embracing gratitude allows us to be astonished by the simple goodness around us, like ripe tomatoes or a child's laughter. This sense of wonder, like planting a seed, is an act of believing in tomorrow and helps us feel grounded and at home within ourselves, no matter where we are.

9. Embrace Sensuality by Honoring Your Body's Desires

Allow your body to take up space by wanting what it wants.

Challenge societal constraints. We are often conditioned to play small, especially regarding our bodies and desires. Embracing sensuality is a revolutionary act of reclaiming our full personhood, allowing our bodies to take up space unapologetically and honoring our innate desires beyond just basic needs.

Listen to your body's wisdom. Our bodies communicate their needs and desires, often whispering in quiet moments. Taking time to listen, whether it's wanting water first thing in the morning or craving a specific physical sensation, validates the self and builds trust in our body's intelligence.

Pursue pleasure joyfully. Sensuality encompasses more than just physical pleasure; it's about acknowledging our human need for intimacy and pursuing it joyfully in all its forms—physical, mental, emotional, spiritual. Honoring these desires, even the seemingly small or bizarre ones, feels decadent and brings dignity.

10. Ignite Creativity by Simply Starting

Just start. Remember how it feels to create.

Creativity is for everyone. The myth of the solitary, perfectly-situated artist is crushing. Creativity is not limited to professionals; it's an inherent human capacity to make something new or transform something existing, often found and nurtured in the margins of busy lives.

Overcome the barrier of beginning. The hardest part of creating is often just starting. The blank page or empty canvas can be intimidating, but it also represents possibility. Committing to one tiny action, like making a single mark or setting out materials, breaks the inertia and begins the process.

Create in the margins. Weaving creativity into daily life, even in stolen moments, is essential. Whether it's drawing with children, baking, or simply swaying to music, these acts, however imperfect, renew our sense of personhood, alter our perspective, and add dignity and value to our lives.

11. Embrace Learning Through Playful Curiosity

Playfully explore the edges of your mind, body and being.

Learning is inherently good. Learning is a lifelong journey that brings dignity and makes us better versions of ourselves. As children, we learn with unabashed curiosity and resilience, embracing confusion and failure as necessary steps, a mindset we can reclaim as adults.

Embrace discomfort and failure. Growth happens at the edges of our knowledge and comfort zones. Learning requires admitting what we don't know and risking failure, but embracing this discomfort with playfulness builds resilience and self-efficacy, deepening our roots.

Cultivate curiosity daily. Learning doesn't require formal education; it's driven by wonder and curiosity. Identifying something you want to learn and taking a small first step, even just for fifteen minutes a day, can awaken the imagination and bring new excitement and engagement to life.

12. Build Community by Embracing Vulnerability

In vulnerability, we find community.

Humans crave connection. We are social creatures who evolved to rely on each other. Modern society's isolation can lead to loneliness and a longing for the deep bonds found in shared purpose and mutual dependence, like those experienced by soldiers in war or members of intentional communities.

Vulnerability fosters closeness. Building real community requires intentionality and the courage to be vulnerable, shedding the pretense of independence and admitting our needs. Sharing our struggles and allowing others to help, like receiving support during a crisis, strengthens bonds and provides sustenance.

Move beyond scarcity and solo happiness. Fear of not having enough for ourselves hinders connection. True well-being is linked to strong relationships. By turning outward, asking for help, and engaging in shared experiences, we counter isolation and find that community provides a vital foundation for thriving.

Last updated: May 4, 2025