Between the seconds: How to rediscover the quiet spaces in a busy world

Sometimes, life becomes a single, unbroken blur — one moment spilling into the next, our days crowded with tasks, our minds full of noise. We rush, we reach, we move on to the next thing before we’ve even felt the last. And yet… between those rushing seconds lies something rare. A pause. Not empty, but quietly overflowing.

Why we forget the in-between

Modern life rewards motion. Our culture praises speed, productivity, and visible achievement. We are taught to measure a day’s worth by what we crossed off the list — not by what we noticed, felt, or cherished. In this constant movement, the small, miraculous moments slip away unnoticed:

• the hush between two breaths

• the glimmer of sunlight on your morning tea

• the soft, familiar texture of a favorite scarf

We forget them, not because they’re unimportant, but because we’ve trained ourselves to look for bigger, louder, more.

The science and soul of micro-moments

Psychologists call them micro-moments of connection — tiny fragments of time where presence, gratitude, and sensory awareness overlap. These small pauses activate the parasympathetic nervous system, calming stress and grounding us in the now.

Spiritually, they’re doorways — spaces where we can return to ourselves without expectation. Art, breath, stillness… each can become an anchor.

How to find the spaces between the seconds

1. Slow your pace intentionally
Walk through your home or outside as if you are discovering it for the first time. Let your eyes rest on details you normally miss.

2. Engage your senses fully
Run your fingertips across a textured surface. Listen for the faintest background sound. Notice the temperature of the air on your skin.

3. Use creative rituals as anchors
Art-making — especially with mindful prompts — can slow your thoughts and open space for what’s hidden beneath the rush.

4. Pause before moving on
At the end of a task, don’t rush to the next. Take one deep breath. Let the moment settle.

Art as a bridge to presence

When we create without aiming for perfection, art becomes a conversation with the present. Each brushstroke, each color choice, is a record of how we felt in that exact moment. This is the heart of Between the Seconds — art prompts designed not to produce masterpieces, but to help you notice and cherish what’s already here.

Start your own journey

If you’re ready to begin, my free Between the Seconds PDF offers 5 gentle art prompts to guide you into presence and gratitude. No art skills needed — only your attention, your hands, and the willingness to linger a little longer with what’s here.