A Simple Secret to Feeling More Alive
- Stefan Jurgens
- Apr 28
- 2 min read
Updated: 18 hours ago
A walk in the city reminded me that tiny acts of noticing—buds on trees, a stranger’s smile, warm coffee—can reignite joy. No grand plans needed. Just curiosity.
I’ve been knee-deep in the ‘wake up, work, zone out, repeat’ cycle. You’ve probably felt it too, haven’t you? That autopilot state where days blur and you’re doing life instead of living it.
I wasn’t drowning, exactly—just… numb. Going through motions, ticking boxes, showing up for everyone except myself. And honestly? It snuck up on me. One day you’re “just busy,” the next you’re wondering when your own life started feeling like a background character in someone else’s story.
Sound familiar?
Then, my wife said, “Let’s walk to the store.”
No agenda. No self-improvement hustle. Just stiff legs, a brisk breeze, and the choice to step outside. And somewhere between dodging puddles and spotting the first dandelions pushing through sidewalk cracks, I remembered:
Joy isn’t something you earn. It’s something you notice.
Here’s what that walk taught me about finding aliveness again:
Movement: Walking as a Reset Button - No gym gear, no mileage goals. Just… walking. Our bodies crave rhythm—left, right, left—to shake off mental cobwebs. By the time we hit the store, my shoulders had dropped. Our walks aren’t about “exercise.” They’re about reclaiming your body from the grind.
Nourishment: The Art of Slowing Down - We lingered at the store. We lingered testing avocados, debating bread, inhaling basil's peppery scent. Here's the secret: Grocery shopping isn't errand time; it's sensory meditation. It’s that moment when you realize you're not just buying food, but practising presence.
Connection: “Hi, How’s Your Day?” Counts - We chatted with a neighbour scrubbing winter grime off their stoop. Nodded at a dog-walker dancing to their headphones. Tiny moments, but they anchored me. We’re wired to need each other—even in a city of millions.
Rest: Letting the City Be Your Therapist - We sat at a café, watching pigeons bicker over a croissant crumb. No emails. No podcasts. Just sipping coffee, feeling the sun through the window. Rest isn’t lazy—it’s rebellion against “always on” culture.
You Don’t Need a Forest. Just a Crack in the Sidewalk.
That walk didn’t fix my to-do list. But it reminded me: Aliveness isn’t in grand gestures. It’s in choosing to lean into the world, exactly where you are.
Maybe your “lean” today looks like:
Noticing the first daffodils in a flower bucket.
Taking the long way home to pass that bakery with the fresh croissants.
Letting yourself sit on a park bench for 5 minutes, even if it’s “not productive.”
No pressure. No perfection. Just… curiosity.
Final Thought:
Spring doesn’t wait for permission to bloom. It pushes through concrete, one stubborn bud at a time. Where can you let a little stubborn joy in today?
I support individuals in cultivating balanced, compassionate relationships with their goals and self-expectations. Together, we explore ways to embrace growth with kindness and authenticity.
Learn more about therapy for perfectionism at Inner Counsel Therapy, and book a free 20-minute consultation to begin your journey.
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