As a working mom, you’ve likely experienced those moments when time stands still, and you’re overcome with a sense of wonder and amazement. It might have been while watching a sunset, observing your child’s innocent laughter, or getting lost in a captivating piece of music. This feeling, this profound sense of awe, is more than just an emotional response; it’s a powerful force that can transform your perspective, enhance your well-being, and deepen your connection with your family and the world around you.
Why Does Awe Matter?
Awe involves a sense of vastness that challenges and expands one’s typical way of seeing the world, often leading to feelings of connectedness and a decreased focus on the self. In the hustle and bustle of balancing work and family life, moments of awe can provide a much-needed pause, a chance to breathe, reflect, and realign with our deeper values and aspirations.
In this two-part blog, we explore the impact of awe in our roles as moms and as leaders at work.
Inspiring Awe at Home
One of the most positive gifts we can give to our children and ourselves is the experience of awe. Awe can stimulate a child’s curiosity and desire to learn, promoting a growth mindset. When children experience awe-inspiring situations, it can ignite their imagination and enhance their understanding of the world around them (Anderson et al., 2018). When you role model awe and curiosity, your child is more likely to adopt these attitudes, leading to a lifelong love of learning and exploration.
When we help our children experience awe, we foster their emotional development as these moments can teach empathy, compassion, and a sense of connectedness to the world around them (Stellar et al., 2017). If we want our children to think beyond themselves and behave in altruistic ways, promoting awe experiences can help children to develop a broader perspective.
Experiencing awe can play a significant role in the relationship between parents and children. Awe can help strengthen the bond between you and your child and enhance their mutual understanding and empathy. Studies have shown that shared experiences of awe can promote a sense of connectedness and open-mindedness. When you and your child encounter awe-inspiring moments together, it fosters a deeper emotional bond and shared perspective on the world.
When we experience awe, we improve our own and our child’s well-being. When we allow ourselves to experience awe with our children, this can be a source of joy and stress relief, enhancing our overall mental health and parenting satisfaction.
Creating Moments of Awe in Everyday Life
Finding awe doesn’t require grand gestures or exotic travels. It’s about cultivating a mindset that’s open to the wonder in the ordinary. Start by slowing down and being present in the moment. Whether it’s during a morning walk, a quiet evening, or a busy day at work, give yourself permission to pause and observe the world around you with fresh eyes.
I remember a particular morning when I was overwhelmed with deadlines and household responsibilities. I needed to get the kids to school, and almost everything had gone wrong that morning. I walked into my daughter’s room, and she was twirling in her dress, singing to herself. In that instant, I was drawn into her world, a world where delight could be found in the simplest things. It was a moment of awe that reminded me to appreciate the beauty and wonder in everyday life. This is a moment that is captured in my memory, and when I think of her at this age, this is the image that comes to mind…overwhelming awe of her pure joy in that simplest of moments.
So, how can you increase the likelihood of experiencing awe?
- Awe Journaling: Start an “awe journal” where you jot down moments that inspire awe each day. It could be anything from a beautiful scene in nature to a kind gesture from a stranger. If your child can write, have a family journal and plan a time to discuss these moments with your child.
- Awe Photography: Capture moments of awe with your camera or smartphone. Encourage your children to do the same and share your photos with each other.
Incorporating moments of awe into your life as a working mom isn’t just about experiencing fleeting moments of happiness. It’s about enriching your life, deepening your connections, and seeing the world and your place in it with renewed clarity and appreciation. As you rediscover wonder in the every day, you’ll not only enhance your own well-being, but also model for your children how to live a more fulfilled and meaningful life.
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- With an Elementary-Age Child: Visit a local science museum or planetarium. Explore the exhibits together and discuss the wonders of the universe. Encourage questions and curiosity.
- With a Toddler: Spend time outdoors exploring nature. Let your toddler lead the way and observe the world through their eyes. Share in their wonder at the simple things – a butterfly, a flower, or the texture of tree bark.
- With a Teen: Share a powerful artistic experience. Attend a concert, visit an art exhibit, or watch a breathtaking movie together. Discuss your feelings and thoughts afterward, exploring what aspects evoked a sense of awe.
References and Further Reading
Anderson, C. L., Monroy, M., & Keltner, D. (2018). Awe in Nature Heals: Evidence from Military Veterans, At-Risk Youth, and College Students. Emotion, 18(8), 1195–1202.
Keltner, D., & Haidt, J. (2003). Approaching awe, a moral, spiritual, and aesthetic emotion. Cognition and Emotion, 17(2), 297-314.
Shiota M. N., Keltner D., Mossman A. (2007). The nature of awe: Elicitors, appraisals, and effects on the self-concept. Cognition and Emotion, 21, 944–963.
Stellar, J. E., Gordon, A., Piff, P. K., Anderson, C. L., McNeil, G. D., & Keltner, D. (2017). Awe and Humility. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 114(2), 258–269.
Stellar, J. E., Gordon, A. M., Piff, P. K., Cordaro, D., Anderson, C. L., Bai, Y., … & Keltner, D. (2017). Self-transcendent emotions and their social functions: Compassion, gratitude, and awe bind us to others through prosociality. Emotion Review, 9(3), 200-207.