Today’s post is a little bit different. I just wanted to talk about a few of my favourite things, because they make me happy, and just why not. I feel like I spend a lot of time on this blog trying to improve and make things better, and not enough time just appreciating the things I love just as they are, right now. So that’s what we’re doing today, a list of just 10 things that make me happy.
A FRESH TO DO LIST
Writing out a nice, new to do list never fails to make me feel like I’m in control and on top of the world. It’s a list of possibilities. It’s also an excuse to make something pretty with my hands.
CLEAN SHEETS
Clean sheet night is a hallowed event in my house – not because it doesn’t happen often, I promise! I love feeling really tightly tucked into crisp, fresh sheets. Not only do they smell heavenly, they also make me feel really special and taken care of because it reminds me of being little and my mum making sure my sheets were as tucked as the 7could possibly be.
HANDWRITTEN LETTERS
I love coming home to a letter sat waiting for me on the stairs. They usually come as surprises, little pick me ups at the end of the day, and they’re just the best. It’s such a lovely feeling to know that someone has taken the time to write to you and that a letter has physically travelled from their hands to yours.
A CUP OF TEA
There’s a ritual involved in making a cup of tea that’s just so calming. Standing by the kettle is a time to reset for me. In the office, the act of getting up, walking across, and waiting for the bag to stipe is my time to myself. It’s a moment away from the screen just to be. At home, my tea is an act of self-care. It’s the warming feeling of just holding the mug between two hands. A cup of tea is so much more than just a hot drink. It has so much personal history and so much around its everyday ritual. This piece by the incredible Ruby Tandoh says so much more so much better than I ever could.
MY NIGHT-TIME JUMPER
I have a jumper that I only wear at night. In fact, I only wear it at night, after my shower, once I’m in my pyjamas. When I put that jumper on it’s a sign that says I’m cosy and relaxed and ready to get snuggle up. It’s also the softest loveliest grey jumper, even with its holes from being so well worn.
PEACHES
Peaches are on my mind because they’re my summer fruit. I work my way through at least one family pack a week. They just make me think of sunshine and good times. And they’re so damn tasty.
WRAPPING PAPER
I’m one of those people who love wrapping gifts. It might be frustrating at times, darn you tricky shaped gifts. But I just love it. I love the physical act of wrapping. I love that wrapping is a chance to put a little bit extra effort into something for someone you love. I also just love nice stationery.
MY PHOTO ALBUMS
I made photo albums for the first-time last year, and I’m so glad I did. They bring back so many good memories. This reminds me that I really need to get better at taking photos and making more albums.
NAIL VARNISH
Painting my nails is a little indulgence that I love (and am slowly getting better at doing). It just makes me feel a bit fancy and forces me to sit still and not doing anything else but watch TV for 15 minutes while it dries properly.
MY DOG
He’s not a thing, but no list of things that bring me joy could be without Toffie. That grumpy little pooch is my whole world, and getting to go home to see him and seeing how happy he is to see me is a feeling that can’t be beaten. Whether that’s seeing his little “you’re home!!!” dance, or getting to smoosh his face, or, in quieter moments, time spent curled up together in front of the fire.
Such a perfect Sunday night read! Picking out coordinated gift wrap & a card is one of my favourite things too. Changing bedsheets & making tea are also little rituals that just make everything seem better!
Sinéad xo Fabuleuse Du Jour
Thanks so much Sinéad! There is nothing better than making a gift look good!
I LOVE the idea of a special jumper so your brain knows to relax. I must get myself one of those.
Completely agree on the tea front too. We switched to a hob kettle from our electric one and just the ritual of waiting a bit longer for it to boil, the kettle to whistle and then for the tea to brew slows me right down.
It is so nice to have a special snuggly jumper. I also have a special lighting combination for when it’s time to relax – can you tell I am very passionate about my down time?
We have one of those whistling kettles at home, and you’re right it does slow you down in the best way.
this post made me smile a little bit. these are simple, small things but they can evoke nostalgic happiness and that makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. i also love the smell of fresh, clean sheet just because i love the smell of afterbath / after-laundry, if that even makes sense. i know it’s weird but i can’t help it lol fresh laundry has such a comforting smell! other things i will agree with you on: a cup of tea, wrapping papers and hand-written letters even though i don’t write letters (since the postal cost is expensive if i were to write for online friends lol)
i’m always so amused at people who are so patience at painting their nails. i don’t wear nail polishes because a). i’m always clumsy with my hands and that will make my nail polish chipped too quickly and b). i just don’t have the patience for all that process! this is why i barely ever get a manicure :))
aha, dogs! we can all agree that pets = happiness. whether it’s a dog or a cat, pets are the simplest form of happiness.
Fresh laundry is the best smell! I have been known to curl up in a ball sheets when they’re fresh out of the tumble dryer, still warm.
I’ve still not quite mastered the art of not touching things after I’ve painted my nails. I’m working on it though. I feel like the thing I really enjoy about it is the forced patience just to sit and look after myself. I’ve actually just booked my very first manicure, which I’m pretty excited for.