The Art of Enjoyment

As we embrace 2025 and plan those New Year’s resolutions, it’s time to rediscover life’s simple pleasures and boost your wellbeing with mindful moments. This article explores how slowing down, staying present, and embracing local adventures can reduce stress, improve mental health, and bring true joy. Remember those carefree days of childhood when entire afternoons were spent exploring, creating, and simply being? For many, those long summer moments included trips to Central Victoria—swimming in cool lakes, bottling fresh mineral water, and basking in the joy of discovery. Splashing in the water, feeling the warmth of the sun, and savouring the taste of mineral-rich water filled us with a sense of wonder and enjoyment.

This state of being—fully present and open to joy—is what we call the “Pattern of Presence.” It’s the foundation of what we now recognise as “The Art of Enjoyment.” Neuroscience and mindfulness experts agree that this natural rhythm of attention and joy begins early in life but can be easily disrupted as we grow older. Our lives have grown increasingly complex, even before the pandemic, as we traded natural moments of presence for fast-paced, surface-level “junk food” pleasures from screens and packed schedules. Over time, constant distractions have scattered our attention, pulling us away from simple joys. Instead, we chase overstimulated habits that deliver quick dopamine hits but leave us without lasting satisfaction.

Why Presence Matters for Our Well-being

Without the grounding power of presence, our minds drift—pulled toward the future or the past. Experts note that anxiety often stems from worrying about what’s to come, while depressive feelings root themselves in lingering thoughts about what’s already happened. When we lose presence, we lose sight of what’s truly enjoyable in the here and now.

The cost is high: without the Art of Enjoyment, stress rises, weakening our immune systems, impacting our heart health, and disrupting our sleep. Reclaiming presence, however, brings us back to life’s simplest joys—and with them, the physical and mental benefits of reduced stress and deeper contentment.

The Rise of Intentional Enjoyment

In today’s world, there’s a quiet shift in how we approach joy, leisure, and fulfillment. People are moving away from overstimulation and spectacle, instead seeking out small, meaningful pleasures—moments of connection that invite us to truly savour.

This is why activities like cooking, gardening, reading, and spending time outdoors are making a comeback. There’s something magical about inhaling the aroma of a homemade meal, feeling the earth while planting a garden, or listening to birdsong during a peaceful walk. These aren’t distractions; they’re invitations to slow down, to immerse ourselves in moments that offer joy without noise.

A Shift Towards Local Adventures and Mindful Travel

For many, the memory of childhood trips – swimming in lakes, gathering mineral water, exploring bush trails – has reignited a desire for meaningful, local experiences. Today, more Australians are opting for regional escapes and nature retreats over distant, stressful travel. The National Visitor Survey reveals that 86% of Australians now prefer to drive, embracing familiar landscapes and the slower rhythm of regional adventures.

This isn’t a passing trend; it reflects a deeper transformation in how we value our time. Pristine lakes, hidden waterholes and quiet countryside retreats offer something rare—an opportunity to enjoy the journey, not just the destination.

Returning to the Art of Enjoyment

In truth, these “new” ways of finding joy are anything but new—they’re a return to the simple Pattern of Presence we knew as children. Back then, joy came naturally, through curiosity, creativity, and a sense of wonder.

While we can’t step back in time, we can choose to reconnect. This summer, as life slows down after the holiday rush, let’s give ourselves permission to pause, to savour, and to plan for joy. Let’s rediscover the art of simple pleasures—small moments that invite us to truly be present.

Because at the heart of a healthy, fulfilling life is not the excitement we chase, but the quiet, enduring joy of appreciating the life we already have. And there’s no better place to Live Your Best Mindful Life than in Daylesford and the Macedon Ranges.

Article written by Sandy McKinley (owner of Trentham-based Acre of Roses), and Specialist Brain Trainer, Perri Curtis (a seasonal visitor to the region and part of the Acre of Roses wellbeing team),