WHAT WE ALMOST MISS… How the small things shape our lives
Do you ever feel like life is rushing past and you're just trying to hold on?
In a world that celebrates hustle and constant productivity, it’s easy to believe that only big moves make a difference. But what if the most powerful shifts actually come from the smallest choices?
After everything I’ve walked through — cancer, losing voice, rebuilding a new life and career — it wasn’t grand gestures that helped me move forward. It was small, intentional moments:
- a breath before reacting.
- choosing rest even when my mind told me to push through.
- letting go of guilt and simply being present.
What this looks like in real life
We just returned from a beautiful family trip across Europe — a gift for our daughter’s 18th birthday was attending the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Spain. We travelled by train through cities and countryside, soaking in new places, cultures, and conversations.
But it wasn’t just the big-ticket moments that lingered.
It was the morning coffees by a quiet window.
The train rides filled with unfiltered chats.
The laughter that bubbled up when nothing else mattered.
And then, back home, something so simple reminded me again. While writing this newsletter, I looked up from my desk and spotted a tiny Lego Mercedes F1 car attached to my monitor — a surprise my husband had built for me. It made me pause. Smile. And remember: the moments that truly matter aren’t loud. They’re loving. Quiet. Intentional.
Why small moments matter
Psychologists call it the Zeigarnik Effect — our brains are more likely to hold onto unfinished tasks. It’s why we feel mentally cluttered, why we leave a dozen tabs open on our browsers and in our minds (learn more in my previous blog on this topic).
When we choose small moments of calm or clarity — a breath, a decision, a pause — we break that mental cycle. We reduce the overwhelm. We give our brains a chance to close a loop and reset.
The result? Less chaos. More calm. More clarity.
Try this:
Pick one or two this week:
Put your phone face-down during breakfast.
Say no to something that doesn’t align.
Take your tea outside and sit in silence.
Book the check-up you’ve been putting off.
Write one line in your journal.
Take three deep breaths before replying to that email.
They seem small. But when repeated, they build trust with yourself — and help you feel more like you again.
The ripple effect
Choosing clarity or calm in small ways creates momentum.
You stop reacting to life and start responding. You become more grounded, more certain, and less swayed by pressure or comparison. Over time, these choices become a life you actually want to live.
Naomi xo
PS: - Want a tool to help you press pause more intentionally?
I created Slow Down to Start Living — a printable, 24-page guide with 10 simple mindset resets to help you step out of overwhelm and reconnect with what matters.
No pressure. Just space to breathe again.
