I was in the kitchen making cinnamon rolls last Sunday, when I was suddenly transported back to my mom’s car as a little girl, sitting outside our favorite bakery with a fresh loaf of cinnamon swirl bread sitting in my lap. I was unrolling the spiraled still-warm bread so I could get to every morsel of cinnamon-sugariness tucked between the layers, licking my fingers and breathing in the heavenly scent. Flash back to my present-day kitchen, and whoa: what just happened? It was almost as though I had experienced being 4-years-old again – all because the unmistakeable scents of cinnamon and bread baking in the oven had awoken a memory I hadn’t thought of in years.
The mysterious power of sensory experience is why we’re devoting the month of February to engaging our SENSES.
Fully immersing ourselves in an experience means paying attention to the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that surround us, transforming an ordinary moment into an adventure. This ability comes naturally to children who are so good at soaking up every stimulus around them, which may explain why most of us formed so many indelible memories during our childhoods whereas once we get into our twenties, thirties, and forties, the years can seem to blur together. It’s as though absorbing all of those sensations leaves a permanent imprint of that moment.
This month, we’ll be indulging all the senses from the coziest candles, to delicious treats (perfect for gifting your Valentine), to exploring what the heck is ASMR (yep we’re going there.) And above all, we’ll be looking for ways to bring more intention to our everyday lives so we can turn off auto-pilot and awaken our senses to the beauty all around us.
Before I sign off, a few notes:
Tag your Instagrams #LikeYouMeanIt!
Read all about our new hashtag here. We want to see how you’re living life on purpose this month – and we’ll be sharing our favorite posts with the community.
Our February SHOP just went live.
Get turned on to everything our editors are craving this month, from inspiring reads to superpowered supplements to the workout wear you need right now. It’s good, people.
Don’t miss our February playlist that just hit Spotify.
As always, created by our resident DJ Jamie Pabst. Subscribe to our channel for the coolest new music curated by mood and activity. Play our February jams right here!
