Friday open thread: small joys

[dolorosa_12]

It's been a long, and busy summer, and my availability on Dreamwidth has suffered a lot as a result, but I finally think things have calmed down to the point that I can commit to these Friday prompt posts with some degree of regularity.

Let's ease back into things with a pleasant prompt:

What are some (small, low-cost or free) things that you do regularly that make your life better and happier?

I was brought up by a mother whose solution to all life's ills was to go outside for a walk, so it's striking that it took me until the pandemic lockdowns to start doing this (other than walking with the purpose of getting to a specific place, which I've always done; my main mode of transport is my feet). But one of the things Matthias and I implemented in the first week of working from home was regular lunchtime walks — a way to see something other than the walls of our house, and a way to break up the day. After returning to hybrid working, I stuck to this routine on days when I worked in the office, and it's astonishing how much it's improved my mood.

The ritual of making tea for breakfast, or my morning coffee, in a slow, deliberate way, with nice ingredients.

Reading books while eating breakfast, and a general 'no social media before mid-morning or after dinner' rule, implemented ruthlessly at times of mental pressure.

Being awake in the early morning, and starting my day (especially on weekends) when most other people prefer to stay in bed.

Listening to music while cooking crepes for Sunday breakfast, or while drinking a glass of wine when preparing dinner on the weekend (which is, in fact, what I'm going to do once I've caught up on Dreamwidth).

I used to be terrible about hoarding the nice things people gave me as presents or that I bought to use only on special occasions. Then I realised that those special occasions might never happen, or my tastes would change and I'd no longer like the thing by the time I'd slowly used it up over years (and in some cases decades). I decided that everyday life was the special occasion, and if I wanted to light the expensive candle or use the 'good' olive oil or perfume, I had permission to do so.

What about you?

Comments

[raven]

I'm struggling with this the last couple of years, as one of the unfailing encroaches of cluster headache is the small pleasures of life it means you are now Not Allowed (on last count, it was something like hot baths, most types of exercise, nail polish, candles, incense, coffee, alcohol, sex, anything involving being awake before midday, and sunshine). A lot of my small pleasures used to come from my clothes, but it's mostly done for that too. Having said that, if you're willing to piss people off you can maintain a few, so I'm going to say scented candles, nail polish topcoats in particular (there's one horrendous one called Seche Vite that is clearly 100% terrible toxins but one coat makes any ordinary polish rock hard and salon glossy, and I love it), and the joy of the perfect outfit. One thing that does make me happy every day is picking out my jewellery to match the neckline of whatever I'm wearing, and also when the weather cools a bit, there's the joy of deciding on outerwear. I have about six different much-adored coats and have a particular mood for each - eg. on butch days only the black trench coat or the brown leather jacket will serve, other days it's the wool coat, on yet other days the blue, etc. And like you, I go for walks. Long evening walks (and, in due course, long evening walks in the right coat).

Oh, and stickers! I really like spending £2 on a nerd sticker, which you get to spend time picking out and then it comes from the internet as a charming present from past you. Way more than £2 of joy, is what I'm saying there.

[dolorosa_12]

Like you, I appreciate a good scented candle, and stickers, and nail polish (although I don't have the patience for it most of the time), and jewellery (in my case earrings). And I agree 100% about the joy of the perfect piece of outerwear, and am rather envious of your six coats!

Long evening walks (and, in due course, long evening walks in the right coat).


I love it!