How to Enjoy Today

In our market driven society, everyone loves a good investment.

What if I told you that one of the simplest investments of your time could end up being one of the greatest you ever make. 

You’d think that was too good to be true, right?

But the truth is that many of us are so focused on our long-term goals that we fail to invest the time and energy in learning to enjoy the day we’re living. We long for a better future, but in the process, we look past a thousand perfectly good days.

I say, why wait to enjoy life!?

Learning to enjoy today is as simple as reframing your mindset, adjusting your expectations, and reorienting your attention. With a bit of effort, anyone reading this article is capable of making meaningful progress in enjoying each day more fully.

Below are some of my personal favorite tips as I strive to apply this timeless advice to my own personal context. I hope it proves to be an inspiration for you to live more intentionally.

8 Ways to Enjoy Today

Enjoying each day is not another item on your to-do list. It’s not something you have to do in order to prove you have it all together. It’s something you get to do, because you are a created being, in a world that, despite its brokenness, still retains enough goodness to savor.

Pause to take mental snapshots of simple, ordinary pleasures. Finding more enjoyment in each day is mostly about learning to see the beauty that already exists around you. When these small, joyful moments occur, pause for a second and drink in the whole scene. Take a minute to write down a one sentence description of the event in a journal each day.

Pay more attention to each of your senses throughout the day. We spend most of our time hearing and seeing the world, but make sure to slow down to smell, feel, and savor the tastes of each day. Let this simple act remind you that you are here in this world to be and to live, not merely to accomplish a list of tasks.

Try to see every frustration as an opportunity to grow in character. If one of your goals in life is to grow in wisdom and maturity, then you don’t have to see life’s hassles as obstacles in your way. Instead, view them as a training ground to practice your craft. When your emotions grow hot, think about how to engage the moment with your full presence.

Consider how much you’d appreciate an activity if you knew it would be your last time. It’s cliche but true— we often don’t appreciate what we have until it’s gone. The next time you’re taking out the trash, brushing your teeth, or washing dishes, imagine a scenario where you aren’t able to do these anymore. Even better, apply this mindset to every interaction you have with your loved ones. Don’t take any day for granted.

Intentionally lower your expectations for how smoothly and agreeably life should be. For some reason I carry this idea that life should be easy and frictionless. And then when something inevitably gets tricky, I find myself feeling frustrated. But what if we accepted reality for what it was, instead of wishing it were something else. Come to expect some resistance and it doesn’t seem as bad when it arrives.

Look for ways to act generously with your time or money. There is no simpler way to enjoy each day than to try to make someone else’s better. Generosity connects you emotionally with other people and takes your mind off yourself. These beautiful moments of self-forgetfulness are hugely undervalued.

Celebrate small wins instead of focusing on the finish line. Humans are wonderful in their ability to make plans, set goals, and achieve great things but this comes at a cost. We’re so future-oriented that we often fail to enjoy the journey we’re on. Take a moment to relish any progress you make today and celebrate the small victories that are special in their own way.

Let go of mental and emotional clutter that bogs you down. We’re all carrying around some emotional weight that is only slowing us down. It could be a disappointment from your past, a hurt from someone you love, or a worry about the future. It’s not easy, but through practice you can teach yourself to put these thoughts down every time your mind picks them up. With enough practice it becomes a new habit, and you can go through your day much lighter.