15 Happy Things
Over the summer of 2018, I struggled to decide what I wanted this blog to be: I had a growing interest in travel journalism (à la Anthony Bourdain) and had no idea how even to begin diving into the world of fashion when I didn’t see anyone that looked like me “staying afloat” for very long with being targeted. After a day or two of brainstorming (or what I frequently refer to as“brain vomiting”), I still couldn’t hone in on one subject that kept my attention long enough to through myself into writing. So, rather than writing a half-hearted and thoroughly discouraged blog post about the trials of brainstorming, I decided what better way to identify my interests than dedicating time to writing about the simple things that continue to inspire me and make me happy. Now, nearly four years and a worldwide pandemic later, I believe an updated version of my original “50 Happy Things” post (the second post I wrote for this blog) is needed; if not to inspire others to romanticize their lives in the present, then to inspire myself. I hope you enjoy it!
Above is an image of a previously shattered bowl that has been “repaired” using Kintsugi. I had the amazing opportunity to see many of these during my trip to Japan in May, 2021.
Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery pieces with gold: “in embracing flaws and imperfections, you create an even stronger & more beautiful piece of art”
Remembering that the ferry to Bainbridge Island always has puzzles on its tables for hundreds of passengers to solve on their way to and from Seattle
Watching for a year as my lovely ivy plant unfurls its leaves and reaches out in all directions (I named her after Hamlet’s ill-fated love interest, Lady Ophelia)
Finding remnants of the past between the second-hand books I pick up from my nearest bookstore: receipts and hand-written notes scribbled in the margins are the most common
Envisioning my dream apartment: parquet floors flooded with light, crystal doorknobs, and cream-colored walls with the sweetest millwork
Holding a glass of white wine while wearing something silk or faux fur: I don’t have to actually drink the wine to look and feel like my life is put together
Journaling to begin and end each day; giving me a moment to reflect upon and feel grateful for the life I’m living (even when it doesn't feel like a thing of beauty)
Diptyque’s Baies candles that, to me, smell nothing like freshly washed berries and everything like the breeze on a sunbleached summer day
Finally feeling as if I can practice creativity through my writing and attempts at sketching without worrying about a grade or a paycheck
Going to the farmer’s market just to pick up some fresh flowers (possibly overpriced) and to inspect the unique fruits and vegetables I don’t see at the grocery store
White nightgowns that, when worn, makes me feel a little too much like the ghost of a Victorian child roaming the halls of some abanded family manor
My collections of Vogue Magazines from the past 10 years are permanently stacked in front of my full body mirror since moving them would alter the laws of the universe somehow
Slow summer evenings that are hot and sticky in all the best ways that always require the promise of freshly-squeezed lemonade to get you through it
Any of Wes Anderson’s beloved films: the color schemes, soundtracks, and actors never fail. to inspire me. The French Dispatch is my favorite right now
Warm memories of standing in line for freshly baked bread as a quintessential part of my early mornings in Paris (Spring 2017)
Reader, I encourage you to create a list of your own: at least 15 thing off the top of your head that give you feelings of joy, pleasure, or comfort. While I can’t promise that you’ll immediately feel more in love with your life as it is right now, I strongly believe that in writing these down, you are practicing gratitude. You’re 100% deserving of every lovely thing that has come your way in life!
Here’s to being happy,
M.