Awe: A Powerful Mindset for Stepping Outside of Yourself

I’ve written several times about the negativity bias that is hardwired into us as humans—and for good reason. This bias, a tendency to focus more on the negative than the positive, served us evolutionarily, helping us stay alert to threats. But in modern life, it can keep us stuck in cycles of anxiety, disconnection, and despair. It’s one of the biggest impediments to well-being, especially in times of stress. Fortunately, our brains are adaptable. Neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize and form new connections—offers a path to reshape our thought patterns and shift toward a mindset of optimism, compassion, and resilience.

One powerful and often overlooked tool to support this shift is the experience of awe.

According to Dr. Dacher Keltner, professor of psychology at UC Berkeley and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, awe is “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.” His research shows that experiencing awe can quiet the ego, lower stress levels, increase prosocial behavior, and boost feelings of connection and meaning. In essence, awe helps us step outside of ourselves and see the bigger picture.

One of my favorite ways to access awe is simple: I go for a long walk and look up. I gaze at the tops of trees, the blue sky, the way clouds drift and shift. I let myself linger in the details—the colors, the light, the scale of it all. It’s grounding, yet expansive. There's a shift that happens when we look up instead of down. Looking down can trap us in our thoughts, in the weight of our current circumstances. Looking up reminds us: there is more, and we are part of something larger.

Other awe practices might include listening to powerful music, watching a sunrise, reading about space exploration, or standing in front of a beautiful piece of art. Even hearing someone’s inspiring story can evoke awe. The amazing thing is: awe doesn’t require a grand experience. You don’t need a mountaintop or a ticket to the other side of the world. You just need a moment of openness and curiosity.

So much of life’s richness comes not from monumental events, but from these small, meaningful pauses—when we allow ourselves to be moved.

Do you have an awe practice? I’d love to hear what inspires wonder in you. Sometimes, the smallest shift in perspective can lead to the biggest transformation.