Noticing Beauty

A recent visit to the beautiful Souq Al Wakra, which you can watch in my latest video here, became a reminder of something surprisingly important for wellbeing: the way we direct our attention shapes how we experience life.

Walking through the souq in the quieter part of the afternoon meant the physical location and architecture became the focus, rather than the activity of the market itself. Without the usual crowds and distractions, it was easier to notice the details: the weathered texture of the buildings, the elegant arches, the heavy wooden doors, narrow alleyways opening unexpectedly into tree-filled courtyards, and glimpses through old windows that felt almost cinematic.

There was something deeply atmospheric about it all. The winding pathways eventually led down to the sea, where the water glistened in shades of turquoise and deep blue, adding another layer of calm and beauty to the experience.

What struck me most was how easily these kinds of details can go unnoticed when we move through life too quickly or with our attention fixed elsewhere.

From a psychological perspective, human beings have what is known as a negativity bias. Our brains are naturally more attuned to problems, threats, discomfort and what feels wrong, rather than to what is pleasant or beautiful. Evolutionarily, this made sense. Paying attention to danger helped us survive.

But in modern life, this tendency can become exaggerated; many of us spend large portions of our day mentally scanning for what's irritating us, what's stressful, what's missing, or what we wish was different. And because the brain strengthens the patterns we repeatedly practise, that style of attention can gradually become habitual.

In other words, we can unintentionally train ourselves to overlook beauty.

What is encouraging, however, is that attention isn't fixed. Through neuroplasticity, the brain remains capable of change throughout life. The more intentionally we practise noticing positive experiences, beauty, warmth, meaning or moments of interest, the more natural it becomes for the brain to find them.

This doesn't mean ignoring difficulty or pretending everything is perfect. It simply means widening our awareness enough to allow positive experiences to register alongside life’s challenges.

I often think about this in relation to my hometown, Shrewsbury, where I grew up. Like many young people, I took my surroundings completely for granted at the time. It was only when I returned as an adult that I realised how fortunate I'd been. Suddenly I noticed the beauty of the architecture, the charm of the riverside walks, and how green and peaceful the park felt. Seeing it again through fresh eyes gave me an entirely renewed appreciation for the place.

That shift in perspective changed the emotional experience of being there.

Positive psychology research supports this idea. Intentionally noticing positive experiences can increase overall life satisfaction support and resilience. The brain becomes more receptive to moments of connection, beauty and meaning when we actively allow ourselves to see them.

In many ways, wellbeing is shaped not only by our circumstances, but by what we repeatedly pay attention to within those circumstances.

Perhaps one of the simplest practices we can develop is learning to pause long enough to truly notice what is lovely around us, whether that's architecture, nature, light, conversation, creativity, or small moments of human warmth. Because when we strengthen our ability to see beauty, we also strengthen our ability to experience life more fully.