Appreciate Loudly

How often do you actually tell the people around you what you like about them? Take a second and think - when did you last compliment your partner, your child, or the colleague who sits next to you? Or maybe that stranger whose nails you couldn’t stop admiring?

I don’t know if appreciation comes naturally to you, but I truly believe it can completely make someone’s day.

Flip the scenario for a second, think about how it feels when someone notices the small things- the perfect cup of coffee, the wiped kitchen top, the extra mile at work. It warms you up, doesn’t it? And the best part is it takes absolutely nothing away from you. The only real outcome is upside. You might make a new friend, your partner might feel closer, or your child might start sharing more of their world with you.

Me and my partner have a ritual. We take a walk together after our work day ends, no matter how late. More often than not, the highlight of our day is those tiny glimmer moments, the time someone said something nice to us or when we took a second to appreciate someone else and saw their whole mood lift in an instant.

Don’t mistake this for seeking validation. It’s not. It’s being acknowledged for something you put effort into, be it a deliverable you smashed, a kindness you offered, or the extra mile you took. Yes, some might argue, “It’s just your job.” Sure, but isn’t it great when someone notices it?

The truth is, appreciation is a form of connection. It’s not just about the words, it’s the feeling of being seen, heard, and valued in that exact moment. And when you give that gift to someone else, you’re not just making them smile, you’re telling them 'they matter'.

We underestimate how much this matters in daily life. Relationships at work become better. Conversations with your partner feel lighter. Even a brief exchange with a stranger feels human in a world that often feels rushed and transactional.

And here’s the thing, it’s contagious. You compliment someone, they feel good, and they’re more likely to pass that feeling on. One small moment of kindness can ripple through an entire day.

Sometimes I catch myself thinking something nice about someone and almost letting it pass. Maybe it feels too small to say, or I assume they already know. But on the rare occasion I push past that hesitation and speak up, I’ve never once regretted it. In fact, it’s often led to a smile I wasn’t expecting, a conversation I didn’t know I needed, or a connection I wouldn’t have made otherwise.

So maybe that’s the point. Appreciating loudly isn’t about grand gestures or over the top praise. It’s about catching those little moments in real time and choosing to voice them instead of letting them slip away.

If you’ve read it this far, try it today. Tell your barista you loved the coffee they prepared for you. Let your teammate know the presentation they made was clear and helpful. Tell your partner you noticed the little thing they did that made your day easier. Even a one-line message to someone whose work inspired you can be huge, don’t hold it back. See how it changes the energy - for them, and for you.