Open-hearted joys 開開心心 78
Autumn is nearly here and I am in my element. This September start felt so necessary for me and I really feel like me again, from my writing to my wardrobe, my mindset to my mood. We’ve had another packed fortnight – lots of family moves, visits, Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations and birthdays to squeeze in – so it’s also felt necessary to factor in plenty of downtime. I’ve been working on my fiction novel, as well as reading plenty of novels, and using any spare time to rustle up feasts in the kitchen. She’s in her baker girl era again!
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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. Autumn in London; London in autumn. This city was made for the season, and we had a lovely weekend strolling in the pre-fall sunshine.
二. Korean food when it’s cold outside. Last week we had a stretch of unseasonably cold weather for September in England, and it felt like a real treat to cosy up and eat Korean stew and bibimbap at our favourite local restaurant.
三. Being back in my gym, matcha, Pilates, journalling, book and lemon water routine.
四. Spying the first trees to start turning orange! It’s definitely early yet, but I’m excited for autumn equinox this weekend.
五. A really good run of books. (I might even write a bookish round-up!)
六. When people unexpectedly remember small details about you.
七. The roasted cauliflower bowl I made for dinner on a sleepy Tuesday last week. This is the recipe I used, and it’s something I make at least twice a month now! It stores great for lunch the next day as well.
八. Wearing my first jacket of pre-fall.
九. Celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival with a run, a pasta bake, and some telescope hours.
十. Smashing my big presentation at work on Wednesday! I’m not amazing at public speaking, and I’m feeling really proud of how I handled the nerves and pulled it off. One down, another four to go. I celebrated my small win with a Thai takeaway night with the girls.
