E21: The Details: We Think They Dont Matter

Hi, I’m Alvat Garewal.

This week I want to explore something quietly powerful—those tiny details we often overlook. The things we do that no one claps for, that might never be noticed by others... but would be deeply missed if they disappeared.

Whether it’s in painting a wall, writing a song, or just being there for someone—we sometimes wonder, “Does this little thing really matter?” Today, I want to reflect on why the answer is yes.

Let’s take a closer look at the small brushstrokes that make up the bigger picture of our lives.

Transcript

Podcast Title: The Details: We Think They Don’t Matter 

Hi, I’m Alvat Garewal. 

This week, I want to talk about the small things—the tiny details that often go unnoticed, but make a world of difference. 

The Daunting Start 

The other day I started painting and decorating the house. I knew what I had to do, and yet, the idea of starting felt daunting. It wasn’t about the tools or the technique—I had all that figured out. It was the mindset. That quiet battle between knowing what needs to be done, and actually doing it. 

It’s funny how sometimes the hardest part is not the task itself, but simply beginning. I stared at the paint cans, the rollers, the drop sheets—and part of me kept thinking, “Maybe tomorrow.” But tomorrow never really comes unless you decide to start today. 

The Devil is in the Detail 

But once I got started, something interesting happened. My attention shifted to the details. Preparing the surfaces, filling in the cracks, sanding down the edges, undercoating, waiting for it to dry, then adding the overcoat. Making sure the brushstrokes were even, the finish smooth, no drips or streaks left behind. 

And while I was there—brush in hand—I started thinking: Is anyone really going to notice all of this? Will someone walk into the room with a magnifying glass and point out, “Oh, you missed a spot here,” or “There’s a drip over there”? Probably not. But if I didn’t take care of those details—if I rushed it, skipped a step—would they notice then? Quite likely. 

It made me think: isn’t that how life works too? 

When Absence Speaks Louder Than Presence 

We often feel like the small things we do—the kindness no one sees, the effort we put in behind the scenes, the extra care in our work—go unnoticed. And maybe they do. But when they’re not there, people feel the absence. 

A TV screen is made up of millions of tiny pixels. On their own, a single pixel doesn’t make much of a difference. But remove one—just one—and suddenly the whole picture is affected. Your eye goes straight to that missing dot. That one fault becomes the focus. 

It’s the same in a relationship. You may make someone a cup of tea every morning. They may not say thank you every time. But the one morning you forget, they notice. Not because they’re ungrateful—but because it became part of the unspoken fabric of connection. 

The Harmony We Don’t Hear—but Feel 

I had the same thought while composing music once. There was this tiny harmony line I added, and I said out loud, “No one will know it’s even there.” My daughter, who was helping me, said, “But we’ll know. And it will make a difference.” She was right. 

It reminds me of those chefs who say, “I added just a pinch of spice—not enough to taste directly, but enough to lift the whole dish.” Life is full of these subtle harmonies. You may not hear them, but you feel them. 

Invisible but Invaluable 

There’s something powerful about doing things well, even when no one is looking. It builds self-respect. It builds character. It’s about integrity—the idea that who you are when no one’s watching is the truest version of yourself. 

These small, invisible things—they matter. They build the whole. 

Maybe that’s what life is. A collection of tiny brushstrokes. Subtle harmonies. Quiet acts. You may never get credit for them. People may not even realise you’re doing them. But take them away—and the absence speaks louder than the presence ever did. 

Someone once said “You might not always notice when I am with you, but you will notice when I’m gone” 

The Ripple Effect 

Sometimes, when we pay attention to the small details, we unknowingly inspire others to do the same. You hold the door open, someone else pays it forward. You smile at a stranger, and it lifts their day. We don’t always get to see the ripple, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. 

If you’ve ever worked hard on something—a project, a relationship, a moment—and felt like no one noticed, think again. The absence of your effort would be felt more than you know. We all notice when something doesn’t feel quite right. It’s often the result of one missing piece. 

Final Reflection 

So, if you ever feel like the little things you do don’t matter—remember, they do. Every quiet effort, every small kindness, every extra mile—these are the things that elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary. 

You may never hear applause for them. But they form the texture of a life well-lived. As always, you are in my thoughts.