(Photo by Robert S. Fagan)
Unlocking Awe: Breaking Through Obstacles to Rediscover Wonder
Awe is that elusive, goosebump-inducing feeling that makes the world seem bigger and our worries smaller. It’s what you experience when standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon, witnessing a breathtaking sunrise, or hearing a story that sends shivers down your spine. And no, it doesn’t have to be found far away or in someone else’s life, it’s all around us waiting for us to notice. Awe reminds us we’re part of something vast, mysterious, and profoundly beautiful. But here’s the kicker: in our busy, hyperconnected lives, awe is often pushed aside, boxed out by schedules, distractions, and the constant ping of notifications.
The good news? Awe hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s still out there, just waiting for you to notice. The obstacles to discovering awe are often self-imposed, and with a few shifts in perspective, you can bring it back into your life in full force.
Obstacle 1: Over-Scheduling and Under-Stopping
We live in a culture that glorifies busyness. Our calendars are packed tighter than a rush-hour subway car, leaving little room for the unscripted moments where awe tends to sneak in. When was the last time you sat still, not because you had to, but because you wanted to? The constant drive to do, achieve, and optimize can make awe feel like a luxury rather than a necessity.
Philosopher Alan Watts captured this perfectly: “The art of living… is neither careless drifting on the one hand nor fearful clinging to the past on the other. It consists in being sensitive to each moment.” In other words, awe requires slowing down and creating space for it to show up.
Solution: Practice the art of doing nothing—or at least less. Leave gaps in your day for unstructured wandering, curiosity, or simply sitting outside and watching the world unfold. It’s in these pauses that awe often makes its entrance. The best time managers make time for rest, relaxation, and doing nothing.
Obstacle 2: The Screen Blockade
Let’s face it: our devices are awe-killers. Staring at a screen all day narrows your field of vision to a few inches, making it easy to miss the grandeur happening right outside your window. The problem isn’t technology itself; it’s how it consumes our attention.
As psychologist Nicholas Carr warns in The Shallows, “The Net seizes our attention only to scatter it.” Awe demands focus and presence, two things the digital world rarely offers.
Solution: Set boundaries with your devices. Try an “awe walk” where you leave your phone behind and let yourself marvel at the details of the world—leaves rustling, birds singing, clouds shifting. Trust me, Instagram will still be there when you get back. So make time for a walk outside with your devices off.
Obstacle 3: Familiarity Breeds Complacency
When was the last time you really looked at the stars, the trees in your neighborhood, or even the smile of someone you love? Familiarity can dull our sense of wonder. We stop noticing the extraordinary in the everyday because we assume we’ve seen it all before.
As poet Mary Oliver reminds us, “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” Awe often hides in plain sight; the challenge is training yourself to notice it.
Solution: Cultivate a beginner’s mindset. Pretend you’re seeing the world for the first time, like a traveler in a foreign land. Notice the patterns on a leaf, the rhythm of your breathing, or the intricate architecture of your morning coffee foam. Awe isn’t always about grand spectacles—it’s often found in the small, overlooked details. As a photographer, I have challenged myself to observe my home area as a fortunate tourist would — with new eyes.
Obstacle 4: The Cynical Brain
We’ve all been there. You’re standing in front of something magnificent—a painting, a sunset, or a natural wonder—and instead of awe, you feel… nothing. The cynical part of your brain whispers, “What’s the big deal? I’ve seen better.” Awe struggles to break through when we approach the world with skepticism or a sense of “been there, done that.”
Solution: Check your cynicism at the door. Approach the world with gratitude and humility. Try saying, “Wow” out loud, even if it feels silly. Neuroscience tells us that verbal expressions of awe can amplify the emotion. Let go of the need to understand or categorize everything. Just let it be.
Obstacle 5: The Awe-Is-Special Fallacy
Many people think awe requires an epic backdrop: the Himalayas, the Sistine Chapel, or a total solar eclipse. But waiting for these rare moments means missing out on the everyday awe that’s just as powerful. The truth is, awe doesn’t discriminate. It can be found in the mundane as easily as the monumental.
Author and professor Dacher Keltner writes in Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, “Awe is everywhere. It’s a matter of paying attention to the right details.”
Solution: Start looking for “micro-awe.” Watch a child discovering something new, feel the crispness of a cool breeze, or marvel at the colors in a fruit bowl. Awe is as much about perspective as it is about the subject. Expand and extend your awareness.
Rediscovering Awe
Awe isn’t something you can force, but you can create conditions that make it more likely to show up. It’s a heightened and different sense of awareness. By slowing down, breaking free from screens, embracing curiosity, and shedding cynicism, you open yourself to the wonder that surrounds you. And when you do, life feels richer, fuller, and more connected. As Albert Einstein once said, “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead.”
So pause. Look up. Take it in. Awe is waiting for you—right here, right now.
Bob Fagan has just published “The Little Book of Questions That Matter — A Lifetime Companion For Transforming Your Life.” It is available on Amazon. All proceeds through 2025 will be donated to charity.
