Petite joys
September sucked. It truly did. When I flip back through the pages of my bullet journal, or scroll through my photo album, not much stands out except from a wonderful day spent with my girl Sarah. I felt pretty morose throughout the month, compounded by barrages of online abuse, feeling unwell, and mostly feeling invisible. But, like I always say, there’s beauty to be found in the smallest crevices and wells.
There’s a lot to be said for appreciating the smaller, not necessarily finer details of the everyday mundane. Here’s to another list of petite joys, the moments that’ve brought and woven poetry to my days, this fortnight:
一. Sinking in to autumn and all of its cosy qualities. If I had to choose a favourite season, it would probably be autumn, let’s face it. From the crisp chill in the air to watching yellowed leaves gently sway to the ground, it’s a pretty magical time of the year.
二. Late afternoon reading sessions in my Taylor Swift ‘cardigan’. Gosh darn it, I’ve never felt more on-brand.
三. My latest set of gel overlays! We opted for Jo’s signature tortoiseshell design this month, and I’m utterly besotted. They make it even more fun to write at my keyboard, flip through softly rustling pages of a book, and beyond.
四. Wednesday night; a lo-fi hip hop playlist in the background and my favourite Cupful of Kale Mushroom and Tofu Tikka Masala recipe on the go. Easily one of the best, comforting recipes to rustle up.
五. The unpredictable yet comforting crackle of a wooden-wick candle. My new hobby gets better and better!
六. A pocket of stars. Paper stars, that is. Specifically paper stars rescued from my Taylor Swift merchandise package. I’m planning to add them to a page in my bullet journal, secured by a recycled plastic sheet.
七. Exploring the Animal Crossing: New Horizons fall update! Autumn – or, specifically Halloween – have always been special in the AC world, and this new DLC is no exception. Have you been playing too?
八. Taking a set of photographs and actually liking how I look in them, for the first time in months. For myriad reasons, my confidence has taken a knock lately and it’s felt uncomfortable and unsettling to be online, but these photos changed that, if only for a moment.
九. Our Quinoa Taco Salad that we’ve rustled up for lunch, this week. It’s so filling and tasty – nothing quite beats a warm salad during autumn. (Recipe from the incredible Love & Lemons Cookbook.)
十. Progress over perfection. We’re making good progress, and that’s all we can hope for.
What are some of your petite joys lately?
