Okay, so I stumbled upon this “bright spots” thing from The New York Times, and I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” It sounded interesting, and I’m always up for trying new things, especially if it involves a bit of self-reflection.
Getting Started
First, I grabbed a notebook and a pen. Nothing fancy, just something to jot down my thoughts. I didn’t want to overthink it, so I decided to keep it simple. I am not gonna lie. I am a bit obessed with digital notetaking. However, this time, I wanna do something different.
The Process
I started by thinking about my day. I went through it in my mind, from the moment I woke up until now. Nothing was too small, nothing was too big. It could be the awesome coffee in the morning, the nice weather on the way to work, or a very productive meetup at the coffee shop. I looked for those little moments that made me smile, that felt good, or that just stood out in a positive way. Those moments could be very tiny, and I am gonna find them!
Then, I wrote them down. Just a few words or a sentence for each one. For example, I have had a very nice conversion with the barista today! Also, I figured out how to enjoy the very moment while having a sip of the coffee. I really like those moments.
I didn’t judge or analyze anything. I just wrote what came to mind. Honestly, it felt a bit weird at first, like I was forcing myself to find good things. But after a while, it got easier, and I started to notice things I usually wouldn’t. I was not sure what the process was. It felt a bit silly. I mean, finding the bright spots? Seriously? However, as I kept doing it, I started to feel a bit lighter, a bit more positive.
What I Discovered
- I realized how many small things I actually enjoy each day.
- It helped me appreciate the good stuff, even when things are tough.
- It made me feel more grateful overall.
I’m not saying this is some magical cure-all, but it definitely shifted my perspective a bit. It’s like training your brain to look for the good, instead of always focusing on the negative. I finished my notebook, and I felt pretty good. I looked back at the list and it was actually kind of long. It was a reminder that even on ordinary days, there are always things to be happy about.
I’m going to keep trying this for a while and see how it goes. Maybe it’ll become a regular thing, maybe not. But for now, I’m glad I gave it a try.
