“It’s the little things.”
You’ve probably heard it said around a campfire, in a letter, or maybe whispered in a quiet moment by someone looking out at a calm lake, like in this image. t’s one of those phrases that lives in all of us, the kind that feels more like a shared memory than a quote. Noticing the subtle pleasures we often rush past — the sound of birds in the morning, the way sunlight hits your arm in a canoe, the first sip of coffee, or the smile of a stranger. In philosophy, especially in phenomenology (think Husserl or Merleau-Ponty), there’s an emphasis on lived experience — how we perceive the world through moments, sensations, and interactions. “The little things” are what our consciousness holds onto. They’re the fabric of real life. From a more practical perspective, this idea ties into stoicism too. Marcus Aurelius wrote about finding peace and meaning in daily duties, ordinary acts, and being present with what’s in front of you — not chasing after grand, distant goals. So, when someone says, “It’s the little things,” they’re usually not talking in clichés. They’re reminding us that meaning, joy, even purpose — they don’t need fireworks. Sometimes they arrive on a quiet boat ride, when you’re just… breathing.
Modern psychology backs this up: studies on happiness and well-being often show that daily, small positive experiences have more impact on long-term happiness than rare, big events.
Go back to the Blog section 📝
Explore the international volunteer projects published on our website 👩🌾🫱🏻🫲🏻
Visit our blog 🌐
Go to the Travel Quotes section 🛫
Need volunteers? Add your volunteer project ✍️😊 📝
