Enjoying the Little Moments in a Big City

Have you ever come to the end of the summer and think “Well that passed in the blink of an eye?”

All of us are susceptible to letting these big moments happen and moving on to the next thing; accepting the quick passage of time without truly seeing the breadth of opportunities and experiences that we were able to enjoy in those moments. In DC, a city that is always moving, and where some of the most important people in the world are coming to meet, it is even easier to see only the big and important moments, the storm that can be public service, or to get lost in the waves of the news cycle.

This summer I have been trying to practice living for and seeking little moments. Yes, I have loved being in this city at such an important time and getting to witness all of these huge things. But what really made me fall in love with this city were the little moments that were created along the way.

Things I have done this summer to help me enjoy the little moments:

• Going outside: people watching, taking in the sunlight and air, and getting away from work allowed me to enjoy the culture of the city
• Enjoying the metro ride: that stretch on the yellow line leaving L’Enfant and going to the Pentagon is my favorite. Not reading, not scrolling, just enjoying the moment (doing this, you might even find a rainbow or two!)
• Doing something new: just once a week, I tried to find something to disrupt my routine. Trying new food, meeting someone for coffee, or going to trivia (my personal favorite). Doing something to find a new angle in which to view the city expanded my love for it

The time still rushes by, and I can’t believe how quickly the summer has gone. But, coming out of it, I feel much more connected to this city, and I am looking forward to when I can come back!

Happy searching for the little moments and let me know if there has been one recently that you’ve enjoyed experiencing!