Open-hearted joys 開開心心 38
November is one of my favourite months – it always has been. The weather takes a turn, it fully feels like autumn and there’s all of the excitement of the holiday season build-up. And, now it’s the month that marks my boyfriend and I’s anniversary! So, you could say I really love this month. As ever, between the corners of a busy schedule and gloomy British weather, I’ve found plenty to be grateful for and I feel so joyful when reflecting on my life right now.
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. Cosy work-from-days with a candle crackling, a quickly-filling notebook beside me and rainfall hammering down on the windowpanes. Oh it’s nice to evade bad weather on a hybrid schedule!
二. Pizza night with my sister, in celebration of two years of & Chai!
三. An early morning walk at the lake, peppered with conversations with fellow dog-walkers and birdwatchers.
四. Homecooked dinners – by my boyfriend – in lieu of our usual dinner dates, whilst kitchen renovations occur at mine. Little thoughtful gestures mean the world.
五. Evenings spent journalling, with Taylor Swift’s ‘Midnights’ playing in the background.
六. Limiting my WhatsApp sessions, and leaning into Twitter Circles and Instagram Close Friends – a gamechanger!
七. The weekly lunch date (and chats!) with my work girls. I never thought I’d see the day, but I’m really enjoying my in-office days and spending time with my colleagues.
八. Slow Sunday mornings.
九. Realising that, actually, I don’t need coffee to function, and that my body functions far better without any caffeine at all.
十. Our Saturday afternoon country walk the weekend before last. Gorgeous scenery, even better conversation, adorable dog-spotting and all rounded off with a pitstop at the plant-based coffee and dessert van.
What are some little joys from your life lately?