Podcasts Insights: Space, Senses and Wonder

I spent a few hours in my car yesterday and caught up on quite a few podcasts. Three that really spoke to me all had a theme of slowing down and creating space. Here are a few tidbits from each:

Mel Robbins Podcast

Five Easy Steps to Make Your Home and Mind Clutter Free

I love to talk about organizing and decluttering. Not surprising because I used to work at The Container Store! And while this episode had some great tips about decluttering, a few things really stood out for me that relate back to our everyday life - especially our working life:??

• Progress over perfection. It’s not about getting things perfect. It’s about taking action that moves us forward. Even small actions (like decluttering ONE item) is progress. Remember that as you work on projects, start drafting that presentation or working on your next big idea.
• Clutter is overwhelming to our brains. When our brains have too much to process visually, it can get overloaded and be unable to focus. But this isn’t only about physical clutter. Think about your schedule for the day - how cluttered is it? If it’s too packed and doesn’t allow for any down time, you don’t have the opportunity to process information that has come in, let alone take a breath.?

The One You Feed

How to Use Our Senses To Connect with Others and the World

This episode featured Gretchen Rubin sharing insights from her new book “Life in Five Senses”. The discussion is centered around using our five senses to connect more deeply with the world around us. Boy, did this episode resonate with me! Mainly because it’s something I do when I’m out in nature. I focus on using my senses to explore the world around me. What do I see, smells, hear, taste and feel.

I also got a few ideas on how I might deepen my sensory experience and even help to create memories using my senses. There was even an idea shared about how you might connect with others more deeply by talking about your sensory experiences. For example, maybe reminisce about your childhood with your family members by talking about the tastes of your childhood, or when chatting with friends or colleagues, learn more about them by asking what’s a taste or smell that brings them joy or contentment (for me, it’s lilac…or lavender!).

I picked up a copy of the book and will share more insights as I dig through it in May.?

Live Happy Now

Rediscover your Sense of Wonder with Monica Parker

I loved everything about this podcast especially how she talks about taking “wonder walks”. It’s not surprising that I’m a fan of taking a walk, but I like how she frames it as keeping an eye out for things that make you feel wonder. Yesterday, I was on a walk in the forest and it was the small flowers on the forest floor that got me - how they are so tiny and probably struggle for survival but are so beautiful. Another moment was when I saw a young girl in a bright yellow dress walking with her dad and pointing around - she was so excited about everything around her.?

Another key point that resonated with me was about building a wonder mindset. One of the first suggestions was to engage in slow thought. That means to build in space in your day/life for being more present and observant of the world around you. I do this in on the trail. I slow down, walk in silence and just look around. Something ALWAYS catches my eye and often, it sparks a new idea or something that I’m curious about.

Final Thoughts

There were so many other great points shared in each of these podcasts that I'd recommend listening to one or all of them. If you do, I'd love to hear what your takeaways were!

For now, I’m curious to know your thoughts on:

• How do you create space in your day to process and breathe?
• Do you intentionally explore the world using your senses? How? What is one thing you have seen, heard, tasted, felt or smelt that brought you joy or a sense of calm?
• What’s something that brought you wonder recently?

I'm off to take a walk as a way to create space in my day before I dive into a few to-dos.