Awww, The Little Things

A pastel-colored picture with "It's all about the small things in life." written on it flutters through my Instagram feed. Every time I come across this phrase, I feel like someone is telling me to appreciate the little things so that I stop complaining about the big ones.

Perhaps, that is the case.

But perhaps, it is also just true.

Combing through my life, I see how the small things affect me every day and the big stuff only comes by once a decade. Sure, the big dream vacation will be an awesome adventure. Finishing something we've worked for for a long time feels great. A dying relative is tragic and a big, painful thing.

But you know what makes me feel good every day?

Those little things.

There are so many small things that are serious upgrades to my quality of life.

Here is a deliciously unimportant one:

I found toilet paper that is just a whole roll of toilet paper. It rolls out completely and there is no pesky cardboard tube in the middle. It's a super small bit of innovation and you may think it is utterly inconsequential but it makes me happy. I don't fill up the small bathroom trashcan with cardboard tubes that should go into the recycling anymore. I don't have to remember carrying the cardboard tube to the paper trash. One little annoyance is gone.

Another small thing is that my husband brings me a tall glass of water to my bed in the morning. Sure, I am perfectly capable of getting up and getting my water myself. I did so for several years. Alas, sitting there, bleary-eyed, sipping my water, and enjoying the quiet is really, really nice. If I had to choose between getting my glass of water every day or going on an awesome vacation trip once, I'd choose the water.

Small upgrades that work for a long time make our lives better. If we stack enough of these for long enough, things get to where they are really good every day.

In the end, that's where we spend most of our time. The today, the every day, the routine.

Better take care of those little things.