things that bring me joy
the mundane within the messy
as life gets more complex and challenging, I find myself searching for beauty and joy in everyday things; a meal, a drink, a view, a smell, a feel. it keeps me grounded and going, and i rely on it for my sanity, basically. so here i have compiled a list of things that i experience in my everyday life that make me happy.
disclaimer: many of these things are related to things that are edible, because i love food.
1. grabbing a drink
ever since i got my license, i have always been a lets-go-grab-a-coffee-or-matcha enthusiast. before a shift? i should get a drink. after a shift? i should get a drink. looking for a socializing activity? a drink. need some alone time? drink. and it’s not so much the drink that matters, but the activity of doing so. time slows down, and i get excited to do something that adds joy to my day.
2. a filling and colourful yogurt bowl
this has been a new obsession of mine ever since i realized i didn’t need to use greek yogurt for a yogurt bowl, and i can instead use my favourite yogurt — which is plain Balkan yogurt (i know, i know). i add a little bit of everything: nuts, fruits, chocolate chips. and it works as a meal, snack, or sweet midday treat.
3. making a drink
this might sound relevant to the first item on this list, but it really isn’t. this is more about the joy of making a drink. sometimes to pair with a meal, other times as a pick-me-up, and more often than you’d think, for someone else. at random times, i’ll make my siblings or friends a drink (coffee, matcha, smoothie) just because i feel like it. it feels like a creative outlet for me and i enjoy the fact that it involves many steps. and so i enjoy making drinks.
4. watching our little household plants grow
i have never been good with plants. i once killed a succulent (like 6 years ago), but recently i have been really into watching ones we have at home thrive and grow. when i was put in a situation that made me in charge of taking care of these plants (which my mom used to do), i was forced to research, and thus learn more about them. now, i am ecstatic that our monstera plant grew a new leaf, our fig tree has 7 figs growing on it, and i adopted my very own pothos plant! watching them grow reminds me of the satisfaction of slow and steady progress.
5. a pretty sunset
i don’t think this one requires any explanation.
6. going on walks
when in doubt, walk.
walks are the easiest way to be active without putting in too much effort. you can do it indoors, outdoors, or on a treadmill. and especially in the summer, there’s no excuse to avoid it! i always feel really good about myself after a walk. a good way to clear your head and enjoy some time to yourself (or with a friend!)
7. visiting the farmer’s market
or really any kind of small-scale community event/gathering/spot.
at a time when it is easy to buy things cheap and quick, sometimes without even leaving the house, i think it is important to take some time to “explore” a city gem. for me, that is the farmer’s market. i don’t go often, but enough check out new stands that pop up. and i don’t always buy something. sometimes, it’s just nice to talk to the lovely people that work there, and familiarize yourself with some new and unique things! (i had my first ever vegan tahini cookie and it was better than i imagined!)
8. and many many more!
like researching an interesting topic, buying everyday items with silly prints/characters on them, collecting pins on my backpacks, and so on.
this list is in no way unique or groundbreaking, but it is things that make me happy. In a time when things are tough and stressful, it can be lifesaving to find beauty and joy in the mundane!
what are things that bring you joy in your everyday life?