Open-hearted joys 開開心心 72
Happy Friday, my loves!
It’s been a bit quieter around here, hasn’t it? Work has really ramped up and it’s left me with less creative fuel than usual. I suppose that’s a pitfall of being a writer by trade, too. Instead, my spare time has been spent running outdoors, making friendship bracelets, with my boyfriend, friends and family, and generally making the most of self-care time. My summer is going to be packed, so I’m consciously leaning into downtime – for my brain and bank balance! I’m also slowly beginning the house-hunting process again, so wish me luck!
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. Winning a values award at work after three really packed weeks. It felt really rewarding to be recognised by my peers.
二. Sunshine-soaked drives to work; windows open, Shania Twain blaring through the speakers.
三. After-work runs with my sister. A good catch-up and exercise rolled into one! At last I’ve found my stride with running and it easily slotting into my weekly routine. Following the London Marathon, we feel more inspired than ever to keep up with our nature runs and training towards a race of some kind.
四. Golden hour evening skincare routines. The glow! It feels like the perfect ritual.
五. Making full use of flexible working to take a break and top up my creativity mid-afternoon. I went on a sunny walk ‘round the lake with Milo and met so many sweet strangers as we all communed to check on the local swan Mama.
六. The Tortured Poets Department. It’s so beautifully raw and unedited. As a writer? I am just besotted. As a Swiftie since 2008? Oh baby, you don’t even want to know.
七. The vegan chicken Caesar salad rolls I made for lunch last week. Delicious and so filling! I’m looking forward to packing them for picnics in the summer.
八. Celebrating my sister’s birthday at a local Japanese restaurant. All the good food and some quality family time, too.
九. Writing for Substack. It’s the best thing – plus Threads – that I’ve discovered online of late and I am loving building our community up over there. As a jaded once-oversharing millennial, it feels like a safe space to write and have the words come first.
十. A solo date Saturday. Nothing better than an afternoon to yourself with books, TTPD and a delicious lunch for company.
