How to Find Awe in Everyday Life by Liz D.

Picture that one striking moment where you’re camping in the pitch-black darkness, looking up at the infinite canvas of stars. You become enveloped in the eternal abyss that humanity calls the sky. You’re contemplating your place in the cosmos and you’re utterly speechless, viewing the breathtaking spectacle unfolding before your very eyes while sitting on this chunk of rock we call Earth.

How have you felt in moments alike? Have you ever heard a song or symphony that elicited a visceral reaction of goosebumps and produced an emotional response like no other? What feelings coursed through your body in those moments?

When compared to other positive emotions, the mystery of this transformative effect makes awe more difficult to define (Silvia & Fayn, 2015). Awe, a powerful emotion, can be described as “wonder and amazement” and “challenges one’s normal frame of reference" (Piff & Feinberg, 2015, p. 884). It is associated with an experience of “vastness” that prompts a mental shift. Further, the vastness component of this emotion entails experiencing something larger than one’s self and may be attributed to a state of great movement in religious practices and beliefs (Keltner & Haidt, 2010). This emotion, which can encompass the most disparate of feelings, such as admiration and fear, is a significant and expansive phenomenon that affects many facets of our collective psyche.

Experiencing awe has been shown to enhance an individual’s well-being, which is why its integration into everyday life can lead to greater life satisfaction. The feeling of awe has also been found to be a “destabilizing emotion” that can have a profound and lasting impact (Keltner & Haidt, 2010). Among its various benefits, it has also been found that experiencing awe may alter one’s perception of time by bringing us into the present moment (Rudd et al., 2012). This buffers feelings of time constraints and the pressure of not having enough time for daily responsibilities and enjoying life which has been shown to fosternegative emotions and stress (Rudd et al., 2012). Thus, having an experience of awe can be a grounding practice that brings one into the present moment, thereby mitigating the pressure of time.

Inviting awe can be practiced alongside other positive psychology activities like expressing gratitude, mindfulness meditations, and acts of kindness. This awe-inspired focus on the positives of life, and the expression of gratefulness for what life has had to offer, has been proven to lead to a better sense of well-being and happiness (Emmons & McCullough, 2003). In effect, savoring good moments and taking the time to absorb them is linked to improved psychological and physical welfare. Studies have found that “awe-related shifts toward the self, reduce the stress associated with daily living” (Bai et al., 2021, p. 838). Finding awe, which is distinct from joy and gratefulness, was responsible for reducing inevitable, daily stressors and increasing the likelihood of more positive states (Bai et al., 2021, p. 838). For instance, being open to new experiences has led to greater and more positive responses to nature and music when happened upon (Silvia & Fayn, 2015).

That said, as it pertains to awe’s integration into daily life, and the multitude of resulting benefits, one could remain open to new experiences. For instance, getting out of your comfort zone, and pursuing new music or scenery could evoke feelings of awe which can become a lifestyle. Exploring the world around your and taking part in finding new things could be a step in this direction A life of awe is full of connection and friendships as you develop prosocial behaviors Researchers report that people who experience awe are more open and morelikely to help people in need (Piff et al., 2015). This is vital because social connections are known to be a key aspect of positive well-being. In sum, awe elicits a feeling of connection to the world. We feel smaller, less like the center of our own universe, and this leads to an increase in generosity, along with other prosocial responses (Piff et al., 2015).

While awe is a feeling best described when one encounters imagery akin to the Grand Canyon, or a star filled sky, this emotion is not limited to grand and unique experiences, and its benefits can be felt when practiced as a lifestyle. Awe can be found in everyday life by taking the time to ground oneself, slow down, and open one’s mind to finding new outlets, such as art, literature, or theater. Simply taking walks or hikes and finding nature in one’s area is a great start. It is not expected that every new encounter will be transcending, or even liked, but opening up to the possibility, and delving into new things, will help you in your pursuit of awe.

In conclusion, awe is an important emotion that is present in all facets of life, from the astonishing to the mundane. It is an emotion that is correlated with both joy and fear, but regardless of the ultimate feeling, it is an emotion that increases one’s connection to the world, leads to wellbeing, and expands prosocial behaviors, amongst other benefits. Moreover, finding awe is fairly simple and can be effectuated by undertaking even small efforts such as participating in new experiences and exploring. Therefore, awe is an emotion that can change lives and is not difficult to attain. Consequently, finding awe in everyday life is an endeavor well worth taking.

• References

  Bai, Y., Ocampo, J., Jin, G., Chen, S., Benet-Martinez, V., Monroy, M., Anderson, C., & Keltner, D. (2021). Awe, daily stress, and elevated life satisfaction. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 120(4), 837–860. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspa0000267

  Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377

  Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297–314. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930302297

  Piff, P. K., Dietze, P., Feinberg, M., Stancato, D. M., & Keltner, D. (2015). Awe, the small self, and prosocial behavior. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108(6), 883–899. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000018

  Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe expands people’s perception of time, alters decision making, and enhances Well-Being. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1130–1136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612438731

  Shiota, M. N., Keltner, D., & Mossman, A. (2007). The nature of awe: Elicitors, appraisals, and effects on self-concept. Cognition and Emotion, 21(5), 944–963. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699930600923668

  Silvia, P. J., Fayn, K., Nusbaum, E. C., & Beaty, R. E. (2015). Openness to experience and awe in response to nature and music: Personality and profound aesthetic experiences. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts, 9(4), 376–384. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000028