So often when talk about finding joy, we talk about it in the context of things to buy.
A fun new bath mat. An adorable little tea towel. A new journal. An ice cream cone. A seasonal latte flavor.
It is the ‘treat yo’ self’ mentality that plagues Millennials and Gen-Zers everywhere.
Now, please don’t get me wrong, I love finding joy in those things and often do. However, I have also spent the past year working very hard to stop lighting money on fire in order to temporarily dissociate from a bad mood and/or a problem.
This is still very much a work in progress — I don’t think I will ever be able to begin an errand filled Sunday without stopping by a coffee shop for a ‘little treat’ (I deserve a treat for running said errands, okay?!) — but one thing I have learned is that sources of joy are all around us. Joy can be found in the most mundane places — is, in fact, found in the most mundane places — if only we remember to look.
free, ordinary, & easy to overlook sources of joy
the smell of freshly cut grass
and gasoline
and the whole world after a thunderstorm
the way the afternoon sunlight reflects off the water, making it sparkle, like it is adorned in thousands of tiny diamonds
an ice cold glass of water on a hot summer day
the sounds of waves crashing against the shore
endorphins after a good work out
the beat of my dog’s heart against my own when he curls up against my chest at the end of the day
witnessing a gorgeous sunrise or sunset
and the way he greets me with so much excitement after being gone for less than two minutes to take the trash out
walking past a hydrangea bush in full bloom
writing my to-do list in careful cursive
the weight of my husband’s arm around my shoulders
the sound of my long distance best friend’s voice on the other end of the phone
noticing a small child’s sense of wonder and awe for the world around them
a pleasant exchange with a stranger on the street
manifesting the perfect parking spot
Now I would love to hear from you. Tell me in the comments what free, ordinary, and easy to overlook things bring you joy on a daily basis.
XOXO,
Maddie
the sun tickling your face, a good playlist, slower mornings, the morning breeze... it is all about learnign how to notice all this small things
love this 🫶🏼 just came across your substack and it’s hitting in all the right places. my little joys are the time it takes to make homemade lattes for me and my husband, highlighting a favorite quote in a book i love, and the calmness in myself when awake early/before the day starts