Why savouring good experiences inspires you to pursue your dreams

What is savouring?

In positive psychology, savouring involves noticing and appreciating positive things in your life. It amplifies our feelings of gratitude and has been shown to improve sleep and strengthen our relationships with others.

In this way, we increase our appreciation of positive experiences, whether it be a social event with friends or something as simple as a moment of calm with your coffee before you start your day. It can be done in the moment or after the fact to recreate the uplifting feelings we experienced.

What are the benefits of savouring?

So, how can savouring inspire you to pursue your dreams? Living a more mindful life can provide the balance you need for a happier life – think of it as an essential skill to have alongside being able to deal with your negative emotions.

Boost your self-esteem

Relishing in your accomplishment or reminding yourself of how you felt during a moment of success is not only an active recognition of your strengths, but it can also build your confidence and self-esteem. As a result, someone who savours regularly will feel more confident to try new opportunities or tackle challenges.

Manage stress

Found yourself in a less than ideal stressful situation? Counter this by reflecting on a positive experience and turn a feel-good moment into resilience. Take yourself through each of the five senses – what did you smell, see, taste, hear and feel during the experience? Doing this will also distract your attention from the stressful situation.

Give life more meaning

Appreciating what we have sounds simple, but it can be so powerful when it comes to the positive experiences we savour. The beauty is it doesn’t have to be a big moment either – it can be as small or as seemingly insignificant as a sunset stroll. Savouring teaches us to not take things for granted. Instead, we treasure these moments and can use them to relive the memories and feelings associated with them when we need a pick-me-up.

Deepen your relationships

Don’t stop yourself at just savouring your own experiences! The interactions we have with others, from drinks with a friend to spending quality time with your family, can amplify the gratitude we have for our relationships and strengthen our bond with others.

Quieten your negative thoughts

Can’t seem to turn off your inner critic? Try flipping the situation on its head by savouring one of the positive experiences you’ve collected. Shift the focus away from whatever doubts or anxieties are surfacing and instead look towards the good moments in life.

So, there you have it – learning to savour can give your dreams in life the boost they need for you to succeed and live a more productive, fruitful life.