Finding magic in everyday experiences often requires a shift in perspective- a willingness to notice and truly appreciate the beauty that exists in various forms all around us. By slowing down and being present, we may find ourselves more open to encountering moments of wonder and delight in day-to-day circumstances.
I am someone who truly finds great joy in the simple moments of life. There will always be a craving in my soul for grand adventures and exciting endeavours, but as a part of my regular gratitude practice, I am most often reflecting on the small pleasures in my daily routine that prompt me to pause and appreciate where I am. Here are a few of those instances from the first quarter of the year that have left me feeling both grateful and enchanted.
This memorable backyard sunrise slowly unfolded before my eyes as I was making breakfast one early winter morning. I stood silently in the yard in complete reverence, watching the warm and colourful glow reflect over the water. I love knowing that each and every day, there is the chance of witnessing something spectacular and surprising in the natural world.
I have slowly established a routine of spending time at a local café on Sunday mornings this year- something that started when I was studying for my recent yoga teacher training. I loved going to this spot so much during those months that I have since become a regular customer, spending leisurely hours writing and people-watching; simply enjoying the atmosphere of a weekend morning in a cozy and charming place, latte in hand.
The rugged beaches of the west coast are a significant source of joy in my life on Vancouver Island (see this post), and this particular moment on a hike to Mystic Beach reiterated their benefits. Feeling the mist of a waterfall as it cascaded down the cliff and into the ocean lifted a friend and I out of a melancholic mood. I have actually read that the negative ions present in waterfalls and ocean air have been linked to reduced stress and improved mood- have you heard this before?
We had a final surprise snowfall in Victoria just before the official start of spring and I spent a blissful morning in solitude at the above lookout in Thetis Lake Regional Park. The light dusting of snow and reflections on the lake below held me captive for a long while as I sat on a dry patch of rock, basking in the tranquility of the view.
With the later sunset times of spring, I have been able to take in the waning light of day more often after work. The scene above was a recent wind-whipped evening at Witty’s Lagoon, where I watched the clouds and fog dance across the sky as darkness encroached. This is a favourite spot of mine, with its rocky coastline and expansive sandy beach at low tide.
Spring has exploded onto the scene in Victoria this month, perfuming the streets and enlivening the landscape with a tapestry of rosy hues- blossoming trees like cherry and plum account for nearly 1 in 4 public trees in the city! These photos were taken during a mindful walk on my lunch break, where I immersed myself in these fragrant fairytale scenes. The fleeting nature of this blooming season makes it so incredibly special to witness.
Pictured above is Victoria’s infamous teacup tree- one of the most memorable sights to see to celebrate the turn of the season. In 2009, the property owner hung a teacup on a branch of the tree as a tribute to his late grandmother, who had a fierce passion for tea. Since then, other residents and onlookers in the area joined the trend, leading to the whimsical display that exists today. Visiting this tree each spring has become a tradition that I cherish.
What is a simple moment from your day-to-day life that has been bringing you joy lately? I would love to know in the comments below!
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Making Space For Dreams 
Thanks for that beautiful journey ! It makes me crave for the Spring time to come here ! 😊🌸🌷
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Thank you so much for reading! I hope you start to see signs of Spring there very soon 🌸💕😊
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Hanging teacups on that tree is a great idea. Fanciful and whimsical!
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I could not agree more with that description, Neil! It reminds me of something you would see in Alice in Wonderland. So lighthearted and fun! 🌸💕
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I like that approach of being more mindful and trying to find the beauty in some of our everyday experiences. I know I need to be reminded of this more often and can benefit from slowing down to focus on the moment. There is a lot to be grateful for. That is one stunning sunset. The early days of spring when all the blossoms are starting to emerge is one of my favourite times of the year. Victoria looks lovely with all the blossoming trees.
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A gratitude practice is so important in my life, as it helps me to realize how many moments I experience each day that bring me joy. Thank you so much for your kind comments, and I hope you are seeing signs of spring where you are as well! 🌸💗
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Your chief question is very easy to answer for us….since retirement, it’s so much easier to live in the moment instead of having to think about time. It makes such a difference to travel when you are timeless and not in a rush. I recommend retirement to everyone! Vancouver always looks and sounds so beautiful in your (and all other) posts, we really want to get there one day.
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I need no convincing on the enticing aspects of retirement, haha- I can absolutely see how it supports the practice of presence. I love how you both have embraced a sense of timelessness with your travel instead of rushing around like so many do when they have limited holiday time. The west coast of Canada is well worth a visit- I hope you make it out here one day as I would love to read about it through your eyes! 💕
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Mmm Laura, such special moments here and lovely images to go with them. Your backyard views… lord! Coffee plays such a big part for me in the “little moments”. To take that first sip in the morning as I browse through the news, messages from friends or WordPress comments. The tree in the closing shot is very cool… very Lewis Carroll I must say.
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I’m with you on the coffee- there is something so incredibly special and grounding about sitting down with that first cup in the morning. Thanks for reading, and I love the Lewis Carroll reference! 😊🫖
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Such an inspiring message that’s well worth remembering whenever life’s anxieties grind you down. ❤ It's so important to cherish the little everyday joys & your springtime blossom snapshots are gorgeous to see. 😀
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Thank you so very much, Tom! I’m glad the message resonated with you and I completely agree that the everyday joys we experience are to be cherished. Hope you are enjoying the colourful signs of spring where you are as well! 🌸💕😊
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This is such a wonderful and inspiring post and just what I needed in order to shift my perspective after I’ve experienced far too many sleepless nights with my 6-month-old baby. Yes, the wonder of life still thrives daily- you just have to seek it out. Magic is found in the miracles of life, the things that make life worth living.
Sometimes when we get so caught up in our daily grind we forget what we’re living life for. To start discovering magic again, it’s a good idea to either take a mental note or jot down on a piece of paper what things you’re grateful for in your life. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thank you for this truly meaningful comment and for taking the time to read my post- I am so happy that it was inspiring for you! I am familiar with sleepless nights and know how hard it can be when they start adding up; these are the times when I need a bit of everyday magic the most. I could not agree with you more re: getting caught up in our daily grind and forgetting what we’re living for- this seems to be the ailment of our modern age! I do love making note of the small things that are bringing me joy when I’m journalling (or blogging!) to help me maintain perspective. I hope you have a beautiful day, Aiva, and thank you for being here! 💞
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I can’t believe I missed this post… so stunningly beautiful 🙂
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Your comments are always so welcome, Simon! Thank you for reading and I hope your weekend is filled with small moments of magic😊🪄
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Thank you Laura, I appreciate that… It’s always a pleasure to come by your blog, it’s a beautiful place.
I hope your weekend is filled with magic too 🙂💫
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