Open-hearted joys 開開心心 36

Spending more and more time offline means that I’ve missed a few weeks of this series. And I’m gutted because there has been so much to be joyful about! However, it has also afforded me the chance to add in a few more friend dates, binge-watch a series or two more on Netflix/Disney+ and get a good focus on at work. Something that I’ve noticed as I journal each morning is that I feel in alignment. Work, leisure, play, plus the corners in-between, feel in a really good alignment with my values, goals and future vision. Despite all of the madness in the UK at the moment – and my house purchase further away than ever – I’m happy.

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, open-hearted joys, the moments that’ve brought and woven poetry to my days, this fortnight:

一. Hand-in-hand autumnal strolls through parks (and orchards, and nature reserves) that are at-once familiar and new.

二. Cosy evenings underneath a blanket, playing Ni No Kuni and Cozy Grove. Gaming is such a tonic for me right now.

三. Feeling creatively inspired and fulfilled at work. It feels so nice to live in alignment right now, and I feel so grateful to have my dream job. September was a pretty intense month of work yet I still feel positive.

四. Lovely catch-ups with my lash technician and nail artist. Although it certainly is a privilege to get my lashes and nails done regularly, it feels even special to get to chat with them both. I love supporting women-owned businesses.

五. Lighting a candle as I start work every morning.

六. How great it feels when you actually drink the recommended amount of water in a day. Who would’ve thought it, eh?

七. The steamy condensation on our windows when I draw the curtains each morning.

八. Star-gazing date evenings.

九. A Sunday morning spent at a book market with friends. My bookcase is looking very well-stocked at the moment and, yes, I did break my book-buying ban in a pretty intense way…

十. Spending time with friends who’ve travelled from afar. August was my turn to visit, and now this month Elodie came to London!

What’re some of the petite joys from your life lately?