The Radical Interruption
We live in a world that often feels like it’s running on a loop of structured chaos. There is always a schedule to hit, a demand to meet, or a subtle pressure to stay locked into a state of busy, overwhelmed panic.
But what if the most rebellious thing you could do today was simply… stop?
I don’t mean stopping to check your phone or audit your to-do list. I mean a deliberate, targeted pause designed to break the circuit of your brain. In psychology, this is called cultivating “awe.” Personally, I call it The Awe Audit – the daily practice of actively looking for the tiny, ordinary things that pull you out of the noise and snap you back into perspective.
The Neuroscience of Wonder
If “seeking awe” sounds a little too abstract, let’s look at the concrete proof. Neuroscientists have studied what happens inside our brains when we experience a moment of wonder. When you look at something vast or beautiful, a specific brain system called the Default Mode Network (DMN) instantly downshifts.
The DMN is the exact highway your brain uses for self-focused overthinking, anxiety, and repetitive negative loops. When awe hits, that network quietens down. Your brain stops ruminating on the past or panicking about the future, and instead turns its attention completely outward. It is a literal, physiological “refresh button” for a cluttered mind.
The best part? It completely resets your nervous system, lowering stress hormones and slowing your heart rate. It doesn’t matter what triggers the awe – the physical interruption itself is exactly what your brain needs to regroup and find a new perspective.
The Vacation Trap
There is a dangerous trap we fall into when it comes to mental resets. We convince ourselves that awe is a luxury. We tell ourselves, “I can only relax when I finally buy that house,” or “I can only find myself again when I go on that big vacation.”
But escaping reality into a separate world doesn’t change your day-to-day life. When you come home, the reality you took a break from is still waiting on your doorstep.
True grounding cannot be outsourced to a tropical beach. It has to happen in the middle of your real, messy life. When you learn to find grounding moments in the ordinary, something priceless happens: your worlds combine, and real, lasting growth takes over.
Tiny Moments, Big Horizon
An Awe Audit doesn’t require a plane ticket. It just requires you to open your eyes to the spectacular hidden in the everyday.
Sometimes, awe is vast. It’s walking down a pathway near your home and watching the win blow the prairie grasses as far as the eye can see. It’s standing at the top of a hill in Saskatchewan, looking out at a sky that stretches into infinity, and realizing that while you are beautifully small in the grand scheme of things, you are also incredibly powerful. Nature shows off its grace and beauty just to remind us of what is possible.
But just as often, awe is microscopic:
- The surprising, proud outcome of a tough conversation with one of your kids.
- The slow, rhythmic gurgle of the coffee pot, the deep heat of the mug in your hands, and the rich aroma rising from the cup as you stir your personal concoction.
- That first, intentional sip of coffee right after a hectic moment begins.
- A driver unexpectedly stopping at an intersection to let you cross, offering a genuine smile as they wave you through.
- Standing out on your front step, closing your eyes, and simply letting the cool breeze or the warm sunshine touch your skin.
Reclaiming Your Power
When you choose to step out of the chaos and anchor yourself in wonder, you are taking the controls back. You are stepping out of what everyone else wants or thinks, and stepping back into who you actually are.
You don’t have to wait for permission to feel inspired. Start keeping track of your previous moments of wonder. Once you recognize what they feel like, you can hunt for them intentionally. The universe is always dropping little reminders that you are strong, resilient, and alive. You just have to look for the receipts.
A Note on Well-being:
While we train our brains to find the light, remember that carrying heavy darkness requires a helping hand. Support is available 24/7/365:
- National Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8
- Saskatchewan HealthLine: Call 8-1-1
- Crisis Text Line: Adults text 741741 | Youth text 686868
- Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868
- Hope for Wellness: Call 1-855-242-3310
Image for graphic by Faith McDonald on Unsplash
Don’t miss this week’s complimentary mini-blogs!
Nature and Nearness – Coming Soon
The Creator’s Price – Coming Soon