Taking joy in the small things

Some days (or weeks, months, years) everything can seem like A Lot, and so often a coping strategy is needed. Ignoring the news, trying to forget about your bank balance, and curling up under a blanket are all valid forms of self-care in 2022, but I can also recommend taking time to think about the little things in life that bring you joy. The things that will always bring a smile to your face on a bad day, and which feel surprisingly satisfying to experience even though they might be quite ordinary. Here’s my list so far…

  • Yellow roses
  • The original Citroën DS
  • Marching bands
  • The river Thames
  • Buttons (the ones you get on clothing and the type you press)
  • Changing gear when driving
  • Nice stationery
  • Dogs
  • The work of Antony Gormley
  • Glimpsing the moon in daylight
  • Analogue photography
  • Rhubarb crumble and custard
  • The smell of archives
  • Unexpected conversations
  • Blossom petals in the wind
  • Finding the best oat flat white in the city
  • The feel of viscose fabrics
  • An entire pot of Darjeeling to myself
  • The opposite of small talk
  • Winter sunshine
  • The smell of paper (all types, old and new)
  • Onwards by Murray Gold
  • Someone talking enthusiastically on a topic they love
  • Polished pebbles
  • Alliteration
  • Bees
  • A cosy armchair
  • Trees indoors
  • Converging lines (see image above)
  • Fairy lights

N.B. I’ve written about this before, back in 2011 in a blog post that looks messy and broken so I won’t link to it (I sadly can’t edit it, due to a glitch with a special character). The plan was to keep the list updated but I never did… until now!

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