When was the last time you felt truly awestruck, when something made you pause and whisper a quiet “wow”?
Did time feel like it slowed down, just a little?
Awe is an emotion we feel when we encounter something vast, beautiful, or beyond our ordinary understanding, something that invites us to step out of our usual perspective and see the world with a sense of wonder and openness.
It can happen in “big” moments, like standing at the edge of the ocean or looking up at a star-filled sky, and in quieter moments, like hearing a child’s unexpected wisdom or being moved by a piece of music.
As researchers study awe more closely, they’re finding that it does much more than create a pleasant moment; it can genuinely support our wellbeing in everyday life.
How Awe Benefits Your Wellbeing
- It can ease stress and quiet repetitive worry which boosts mood.
- It can change how we experience time, making it feel more expansive and less rushed.
- It can strengthen feelings of connection to other people, to nature, and to something larger than ourselves.
- It can foster humility and curiosity, making us more open to learning, growing, and seeing new possibilities.
- It is linked with acting more generously and placing less focus on material possessions.
Different Paths to Awe
There are many ways this emotion can show up in our lives. Some people feel it most easily in nature, others through spiritual experiences, and others when they witness acts of kindness or courage. It can be triggered by “big ideas,” like scientific discoveries or excellent performances in art, music or sports.
You might notice that certain paths to awe feel especially powerful for you, and that they can be a steady source of comfort and perspective, especially during times of change.
A Short Positivity Break to Experience Awe
One of the places I most often feel awe is in nature, and that inspired me to create a guided visualization set in a natural landscape. My hope is that it will help you use your imagination to create your own awe-inspiring moment, even if you are listening from an ordinary, everyday setting.
You can watch (or simply listen to) the awe positivity break here:
Tap Into Awe: Short Guided Visualization for Calm & Wonder
Closing Out Our Positivity Break Series
This awe practice marks the end of our recent positivity break series based on the 10 positive emotions identified by Barbara Fredrickson. Over these past weeks, we’ve explored how positive emotions like joy, gratitude, and hope can support wellbeing in everyday life, and awe feels like a fitting place to pause. It’s a reminder that even in seasons of uncertainty or transition, moments of wonder are still available to us.
If you missed any of the previous positivity breaks, you’re warmly invited to visit my YouTube channel and watch the ones that call to you: Dianna Collier Coaching.
I’ll be stepping away from the newsletter briefly while I travel to one of my favorite awe-inspiring destinations: Rhode Island. It’s a place where I reconnect with nature,visit with family and experience “wow” moments while exploring the rocky coast and ocean views.
During this pause, I invite you to notice where awe might already be present in your own daily life, and how you might make a little more space for it.
This Week’s Challenge
I’d love to hear from you. Please share:
- A recent moment when you felt awe, and what you noticed around you.
- One small way you’d like to make more space for awe in your life (a walk at sunset, pausing to notice trees on your commute, listening more deeply to a favorite song, etc.).
Leave a comment and join the conversation!
Need Support?
If you’d like personalized support tapping into positive emotions while navigating a life transition, email me at dianna@collierclan.net for a free consultation. I have spots available at the end of August & September.
Dianna Collier 