Awe is a mindset tool: how wonder shrinks worry
September 29, 2026 · 23 min read
Mel Robbins uses an 'awe anchor', Jamil Zaki links awe and moral beauty to less cynicism, Ralph Adolphs discusses awe in emotion regulation, and Ethan Kross recommends nature and awe to quiet inner chatter. Seeking small moments of awe is a cheap, reliable way to gain perspective.
The rules, numbers and steps worth keeping in front of you.
- Core idea: awe makes worries feel smaller by changing your sense of scale.
- Jeff Karp: pick a photo, memory, sound or video that reliably moves you.
- Use it before high-stakes moments or when overwhelmed; feel it in the body.
- Jamil Zaki: cynicism blinds people to wonder.
- The most common source of awe is everyday kindness, called moral beauty.
- People tend to underestimate others; noticing kindness corrects that bias.
- Share good stories about people, not only complaints.
- Ralph Adolphs: awe depends on stepping outside the here and now.
- After his illness, awe and gratitude came after fear was worked through.
- Intervene early; emotion regulation works better at the start.
- Ethan Kross: awe shrinks the sense of self and, with it, problems.
- Nature restores attention; space images can also produce awe.
- No single tool works for everyone; combine several.
- Awe is not treatment; for persistent symptoms, see a qualified mental health professional.
This is the short form. The full insight has every expert's reasoning, their own words and the sources.