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Absolutely sensational! My week savouring life’s little pleasures

We are surrounded by sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures – and most of it barely registers. Time to slow down and take it all in …

Absolutely sensational! My week savouring life’s little pleasures

TL;DR

  • The article explores finding pleasure in everyday physical sensations as advocated by Ian Bogost's book 'The Small Stuff'.
  • The author, initially clumsy and particular about sensory input, embarks on a week-long experiment to discover these gratifications.
  • Experiences include the tactile delight of objects, the textures and tastes of food, the satisfaction of using tools, and the comfort of familiar items.
  • The experiment highlights that sensory pleasure is about being present in the body and the physical world, not necessarily about mindfulness or traditional craft.
  • Despite daily struggles and pain, small moments of gratification were found, showing that such pleasures are abundant and accessible.
  • Appreciating these small sensory joys can transform mundane activities into pleasant experiences.