Beauty All Around Us…Jess Castellote 

When I walk into my office at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art in the morning, on the beautiful campus of Pan-Atlantic University, there is often a quiet moment of wonder. My office window faces east, so the soft, golden morning light streams through the horizontal bars of the window screen. It creates a delicate pattern of light and shadow on my desk—a living piece of art that shifts as the sun climbs higher. It’s such a simple thing, but it brings me joy every time. It is a small, beautiful reminder of how much the world offers, even in the middle of a regular workday.

Moments like this happen all the time, but we often miss them. Life gets busy, and we get caught up in routines, ticking off tasks, sitting through endless online meetings, or glued to our screens. We barely notice the sunlight or the rustling leaves. It is not that these moments aren’t there—they are. We are just too distracted to see them. It might sound obvious, but beauty isn’t confined to museums, galleries, grand landscapes, or extraordinary moments. It is woven into the ordinary rhythms of life—in simple gestures, objects, and scenes we often overlook. Maybe, it is time to slow down and notice the gentle beauty surrounding us daily, waiting to be discovered. Life is beautiful, yet many of us get so wrapped up in personal challenges that we forget to enjoy it.

Everyday beauty is like a quiet whisper—it is always there, but you must pay attention to hear it. The sunlight streaming through my office window is just one example, but once you start looking, you realize how much you may have been missing. There’s beauty in the steam rising from the morning tea, the sway of tree branches against the sky, or the dark clouds before a storm. It is not about seeking grand or extraordinary things; it is about noticing what is already there.

We have all had moments when something simple—something ordinary—touches us deeply. But then we move on, forget, and rush back into life. It is like we wear blinders, focusing only on what is urgent while the beautiful details slip by unnoticed. Maybe, the key is to slow down and let us be surprised. Marvel at the small things, even if they seem insignificant. The world doesn’t need to change for us to see its beauty—we just need fresh eyes. Once we do, life feels richer, fuller, and more joyful. We can choose to embrace the beauty around us.

In Spanish, we have a wonderful word: cotidianidad. Though it doesn’t carry the same richness in English, it can be translated as “everyday life.” Cotidianidad refers to the common and ordinary moments of life—the things we do almost automatically, like work, chores, social interactions, or daily commutes. Yet, believe that “cotidianidad”, everyday life, can also be the space where we find small, meaningful or pleasurable moments. In literature, art, and philosophy, everyday life is a recurring theme because it reveals how the ordinary can be full of depth, beauty, and reflections on the human condition. I am fortunate to see artworks every week at the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art where artists have drawn inspiration from everyday life to connect with universal truths.

For those of us living in Lagos, with its constant noise, chaos, and distractions, the idea of finding beauty in the everyday might seem far-fetched. We are often chasing grand experiences and extraordinary moments, missing the simple treasures around us. Yet simplicity—clearing away the excess—can act like a lens cleaner for life. It wipes away the fog, helping us see the beauty that has been there all along. By simplifying—whether it’s our homes, routines, or thoughts—we “clean our eyes.” We start noticing the charm of imperfect objects, ordinary moments, and the quiet joy of simply being alive. When we pause and focus, beauty doesn’t need to be created; it simply needs to be revealed.

In the hustle and bustle of urban life, it is easy to get caught in the endless cycle of work, responsibilities, and distractions. We rush from task to task, tethered to our devices, rarely taking time to truly observe the world around us. But as the year begins, it’s a good time to slow down and rediscover beauty in the everyday. Our hurried lifestyle disconnects us from our surroundings, and we miss the simple joys nature offers. Stress and anxiety become constant companions when we prioritize productivity over presence. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Slowing down and rekindling our capacity to observe can transform the mundane into the extraordinary. Observation is more than just seeing; it’s about experiencing the world with all our senses. It allows us to appreciate small details often overlooked—the everyday marvels that remind us of life’s beauty and wonder.

A word on sobriety and the role it plays in discovering beauty in everyday life. Sobriety—understood not merely as abstinence but as moderation—allows us to appreciate life more fully. A sense of measure, an awareness of limits, teaches us to live with balance and restraint. This mindset lets beauty reveal itself naturally, without the need for excess or exaggeration. In a culture, like ours, that often equates “more” with “better,” sobriety reminds us that less can indeed be more. When we approach life with self-control, we cultivate a heightened sensitivity to beauty. Instead of chasing constant excitement or novelty, we learn to find joy in quiet, ordinary moments. Sobriety resists extremes and embraces balance, creating space for us to notice and cherish the beauty already present in our lives. Our daily lives are often filled with an overwhelming array of choices. The idea that “less is more” encourages us to strip away the unnecessary and focus on what truly matters. By intentionally reducing what we own, we make room for beauty to shine through. In a consumer-driven world, sobriety and simplicity may seem radical, but they are, in fact, a return to what is essential. They remind us that life is not about having more but about appreciating more of what we already have.

Though I spend a lot of my time among artworks, I’m always struck by how many ordinary objects—a well-worn leather wallet, a handmade ceramic mug, a woven basket—carry layers of history, usefulness, and quiet elegance. Some of these items reflect culture, tradition, and craftsmanship, sometimes even the stories of their users. A hand-stitched quilt or a clay pot speaks of patience and care, reminding us that beauty doesn’t need extravagance. It thrives in the thoughtful interplay of form, function, and texture. When we are too focused on novelty, the humble beauty of these objects encourages us to find joy in the familiar. They remind us to cherish the present moment and the subtle artistry woven into daily life.

Discovering beauty in the ordinary begins with slowing down and being present. In our fast-paced world, we miss the quiet marvels surrounding us. Mindfulness helps us appreciate transient wonders without abandoning our responsibilities. Cultivating curiosity—asking questions even about mundane things—can open the door to extraordinary discoveries in everyday life. We need to see with fresh eyes, rediscovering the familiar, because, too often, the familiar becomes invisible. The sunlight through tree leaves, the texture of an old wooden table, or a heartfelt smile fades into the background. Slowing down “cleans our eyes,” helping us see the extraordinary in what seemed ordinary. That filtered sunlight becomes a golden gift, and familiar faces take on new meaning. Beauty exists in life’s small details—it’s simply waiting for us to notice.

I finish with a quote from Eleonora Duse, a renowned Italian actress of the beginning of last century. “If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has the power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” I hope we can also rejoice, because despite of the hardships in the country, our souls are still alive.

•Dr Castellote is the director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art,  Pan-Atlantic University.