stop and smell the roses

What does "stop and smell the roses" mean?

1. To take time to enjoy life's simple pleasures
2. To slow down and appreciate what you have

Examples

• You work too hard—take time to stop and smell the roses.
• In retirement, I finally have time to stop and smell the roses.
• Don't forget to stop and smell the roses along the way.

Origin

Attributed to various sources including golfer Walter Hagen in the 1920s. Became popular life advice.

How to use it

Gentle life advice. Often used with people who are too busy or stressed.

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related idioms

• out of the blue

  Unexpectedly; without warning

• beat around the bush

  To avoid talking about the main point of a conversation

• every cloud has a silver lining

  There is something positive in every negative situation

• go with the flow

  To accept things as they are and adapt accordingly

• once in a blue moon

  Very rarely; almost never

• tip of the iceberg

  A small visible part of a much larger hidden problem