Visions

Joyful Window Gazing

By Debbie

Posted on December 22, 2021

We tend to look for happiness in big-deal things, but something very simple like joyful window gazing can also make us feel happy.

I’m really fortunate to have this view out my window. That’s an extremely beautiful shot of it on the left, but it’s also just amazing to watch it change throughout the year. Below are pictures of summer, fall, winter rain, winter snow, bridge lit up at night, fireworks, rainy, stormy nights, bare trees. Isn’t nature amazing? Today the sky is gray and the leaves are just starting to turn red. It’s not an amazing shot yet, but that vibrant red will be here soon!

Recently I moved my 86-year-old mom into my apartment building. She loves the view and said she never realized until moving here that she never really saw the sky from her house. Also she can look out the window at the activities I earlier described, people moving about and doing funny human things, joyful window gazing for her too.

And finally, as I recently booked flights to visit my niece in Los Angeles in a few weeks, I am reminded that I’m a window girl, preferring the excitement of the view over the convenience of the aisle. You can find joy in little things like looking out the window! All of you have to do is start experiencing joyful window gazing. It’ll make you happy!

How About Finding Joy in Little Things Like these Views?

Nature’s Symphony: Joyful window gazing provides a front-row seat to the ever-changing symphony of nature, from fluttering leaves to chirping birds, bringing a sense of tranquility.
Mindful Pause: Taking a moment to gaze out the window allows for a mindful pause, a break from the busyness of life, promoting mental clarity and relaxation.
Scenic Delight: Enjoying the view outside your window offers a daily dose of scenic delight, with the changing colors of the sky, the dance of sunlight, and the beauty of the surrounding environment.
Inspiration Source: The outside world visible through the window can serve as a wellspring of inspiration, sparking creativity and imaginative thinking.
Stress Relief: Engaging in joyful window gazing has been shown to reduce stress levels, providing a simple yet effective way to unwind and find peace.
Connection with Seasons: Watching the seasons change through your window connects you to the natural rhythm of the year, offering a cyclical sense of renewal and anticipation.
Appreciation of Simple Pleasures: Finding joy in window gazing encourages an appreciation for the simple pleasures in life, fostering gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us.
Daydreaming Haven: Your window can be a gateway to daydreaming, allowing your mind to wander and providing a mental break that contributes to overall well-being.
Enhanced Mood: Regular moments of joyful window gazing have been linked to improved mood and a more positive outlook on life, contributing to emotional well-being.
Connection with the World: Even when indoors, joyful window gazing creates a connection with the outside world, fostering a sense of belonging and a reminder of the broader context of our lives.

What the Experts Say About Joyful Window Gazing

“A Room With a View: A Review of the Effects of Windows at Work and Well Being.” The article describes studies on windows in various settings and situations, repeatedly demonstrating that humans like to look out windows! In one such study, teachers preferred less windows as students were distracted by looking out the window. An evaluation of factory workers receiving piecework pay, it was less important to have windows as workers are quite focused on production, and in hospitals, a study found that 40% more patients experienced delirium in ICUs without windows and patients with windows experienced a shorter length of stay.

Gretchen Rubin of The Happiness Project wrote in To Be Happier: Look Out the Window, ‘So look out your window. Really notice what you see. Watch how the view changes over the course of the day, and as the seasons change. Try to pay attention to the way things look.”

And finally, in The Importance of Staring Out the Window, first of all please click on the link if only to enjoy actual art of people looking out windows. The author suggests that staring out the window is not really about finding out what is going on outside so much as it is to reflect upon what is going on in one’s mind. Pluto suggested that we need “purpose-free time” and watching out the window is a great way to afford us some of that.

FACEBOOK GROUPS ON JOYFUL WINDOW GAZING

If you love this topic I highly recommend following the Facebook page A View From My Window. Here’s another one View from YOUR Window. You’ll be amazed at the photos people share from all over the world.

The Importance of Joyful Window Gazing, Yes, it’s a thing!

On the Other Hand

To be honest, I couldn’t find any downside to looking out windows except to say that we enjoy it so much that it may distract us from work or school tasks. Go look out the window and just see if you can start finding joy in little things.