One of my favorite things to do while I’m out in public, whether it be at school, a store, or somewhere else, is just observe. I’ve realized that there’s a lot to be said about taking a second and looking around you, and really recognize what you’re seeing and take it all in.

I started observing at a young age, taking in everything around me, and trying to decipher what people were doing, why they were doing it, and what it said about their character. It comes naturally to me, before I even realize I’m observing, I’m already doing it. I used to (and still do) point things out to my family members: “Can you believe that man just did that?” or “Did you see the look she gave the cashier?”. Observing widens your mindset by making you think twice about why something happened, why someone made that decision, why things turned out that way, etc. Observing means more than just looking around, it means opening your eyes, your ears, and your mind, and taking what you learn and applying it (or maybe not applying it) to your own life.

So next time you’re out, try it. Sit back and observe.