this photo made astronauts rethink their lives

There’s a reason why standing by the sea or looking up at a clear night sky often calms us. It pulls us out of our heads and into something larger.

Our problems, which felt so heavy a moment ago, suddenly feel a little lighter—simply because we’re reminded of our smallness in the grander scheme.

Here’s an interesting story around this effect:

In 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission, astronaut Bill Anders took a photo that would come to symbolize this shift in perspective. Known as Earthrise, the image captured Earth as it appeared from the moon: a small, delicate sphere suspended in the vastness of space.

It was the first time humanity had seen itself from so far away, without borders, noise, or context—just one tiny planet, shared by everyone.

That feeling eventually gave rise to a term: the Overview Effect. Coined by researcher Frank White, it describes the cognitive shift experienced by many astronauts when they saw Earth from space. Many of them report a profound sense of awe, an awareness of the planet’s fragility, and a deepened connection to all of life.

Many astronauts described the same feeling after returning to Earth—that seeing the planet from a distance made their personal worries feel smaller, their sense of self less inflated, their concerns less urgent. The vastness they witnessed didn’t overwhelm them; it grounded them. It brought an unexpected sense of calm.

Some describe it as a kind of emotional reset; one that rearranged their priorities.

It’s easy to get trapped in our own heads. A small worry grows bigger and bigger until it feels like the world is closing in. But often, what we need isn’t a solution…it’s perspective.

That’s what the Overview Effect reminds us: when we zoom out, things feel lighter. Our problems don’t disappear, but they lose their significance. We remember that we’re just one part of something much larger—and that can be incredibly calming.

This shift in view isn’t limited to astronauts. You can feel it too—maybe while standing by the sea, or staring up at the stars. For a moment, your mind slows down. You stop overthinking. You breathe.

It’s not because your problems changed. It’s because you remembered how small they really are compared to everything else.

Throughout the Quran, we’re consistently reminded to reflect on the sky above us, the earth beneath us, and the signs scattered throughout creation.

To recall our place in a much larger design. That we are not in control of everything. That we are meant to be stewards, not masters.

Ps. here’s what William Shatner said after his trip to space. It’s really, really profound.