details that are helping me fall in love with life <3
I’ve learned that infusing love into the way we perceive the world is key to uncovering true enjoyment in life. Not just loving things like your dog or the package that arrives on your doorstep, but a much larger scope of concepts, occurrences, and details. With this microscopic way of viewing things, it’s almost as if maybe you can find a way to balance the scale of good and bad in life; it also probes the potential of disrupting the scale or making it so everything weighs the same…
I am done with the side of marketing/ social media girly in which my soul purpose is to convince someone that they need to buy something that they definitely do not need to buy. Trust me when I say- every single aspect of this list comes from a genuine sense of adoration for said thing.
So here is a spunky and fun list of things that are not a fast track to temporary dopamine fixes that come with the insanities that have sparked the concept of The Tiktok shop (say that ten times fast…)
To set the tone, I’d like to share a song that has been beautifully lodged in my mind for the past week.
Shall we begin?
- Brushing my teeth before I drink coffee
Not only does this taste so good to me (like mint coffee in the winter...) but also, fun fact, it’s the way you’re supposed to brush your teeth so that the acid from the coffee doesn’t get rubbed into your teeth! I always try to look for some benefit (mint coffee) when thinking about things that are good for me- it convinces me more to do it.
- Feeling like I am less crazy when I talk to my other female friends
I recently met up with a couple of girlfriends after months of solitude, where my social media-influenced thoughts were my only company. Sharing my experiences with them felt like shedding a heavy layer, akin to wearing an “out there” outfit in Iowa versus the vibrant, creative outfits that thrive in a city full of inspiration. With each open conversation, I felt the weight of judgment lift, replaced by an understanding that encouraged me. Girl, if you think you’re crazy, you might be… but in a world where a cloud of toxic chemicals is not something we bat an eye at.. you’re not.
Also Samantha from SITC — she made me feel less crazy about being crazy
- Nutritional yeast
- Giving and receiving book recommendations…
“Your willingness to fail is proportionate to your potential to gain”
- Spending my time learning new things
If I asked you to pause and imagine what you’d reach for if *insert excuse here* wasn’t holding you back, I’m sure a few long-buried dreams would start to surface.
No really think about it… Like, right now
Did you think? Ok.
I used to live confined by invisible borders, like a butterfly tracing the same worn path inside a glass jar. Painting, allowing myself to love, or being the person who can talk to anyone? Those didn’t fit within my fragile self-made limits. But what a stifling way to exist. How can you ever bloom if you’re always cocooned in the familiar? Just take one of those things you just thought about and make a plan in your brain to do it. It will feel so. good.
Did you make a plan? Please share with me. Inspiration is always welcome to me.
“I am no longer shrinking to be digestible- you can choke.”
- Deleting dating apps
I didn’t know you could be addicted to dating apps but I will embarrassingly put my hand up in the hope that someone reading this has a similar addiction. I think part of this obsession was moving to a new city and feeling the need to explore and if I am being honest- doing it with a man is much easier… But now I am settled and having random men take me to their fav Philly spot is not only unnecessary- but also mentally exhausting.
Reaching out to people who I haven’t spoken to in a while due to a period of blindness
- Jazz clubs
Okay, less of Jazz Clubs particularly- but more of the concept that it makes me think about. Why do so many people get together to watch large men run and tackle each other really hard? Why do fewer people experience others playing such soothing and transformative music; especially when the others are really really good? There are just so many things in life that I have yet to truly dive headfirst into experiencing, and I know in my bones they will be more entertaining for me than going to a bar where lads’ eyes are glued to a faraway land of sports.
(seriously, how do more people like people playing football than listening to jazz?)
- These youtubers. I love them and I love their work. I just. Yes.
- My acne medication
- Putting body butter on before bed
- Calling with my brother
He just calls me sometimes and I usually hate unprompted phone calls, but whenever I actually get chatting with him, I feel immensely better. He and I are way closer than I ever thought we would be- especially when you think about how different our personalities are. I appreciate him and whenever he appears in my life it always makes me appreciate life more… Which leads to my next point!
- Making new friends with people who I normally wouldn’t.
Forming friendships with those outside my usual circle has been an enlightening journey. While I acknowledge that shared interests often serve as the foundation for connection, there’s something remarkable about finding someone who can engage with you on that one obscure topic. It’s in these nuanced conversations that can bring the unexpected.
- Going to the gym in the morning
The city is asleep and I appreciate the time with my headphones off. The city is waking up when I leave and the sun is following suit. I have the hardest part of my day over and I get rewarded with the way the sunlight hugs the rooftops in such a way I am jealous over. But it will be my time soon.
- Not having to be someone’s mother
I am fed up with this and will never allow it to happen again. Boy if you don’t know how to clean the bathroom or do the dishes… figure it out. Weaponized incompetence goes crazy with some people and their inability to do hard (but actually not that hard) things. Knowing that I will never ever allow this to happen to me is not only freeing but a sign that I want better for myself and will find it.
- Lube! Communication during sex!
- Not being old and not saying I’m old…… I am not old
- Creative tasks at night
I have been blocking off time in my life for creativity- it seems “it can wait till tomorrow” is a prophecy I will never fill unless tomorrow is today.
“Lay out your intentions like you’re paving ease in future moments”
- People who have a positive mindset
I could write a whole fucking blog post on this topic. I vastly cherish the company of those who don’t instinctively gravitate toward the negative. Recently, I met someone who effortlessly transformed my rare moments of doubt into opportunities for light and growth. It felt like a breath of fresh air to be in the presence of someone who seeks the silver lining rather than dwelling on the potential of adversity. I love being around positive people who encourage me to express my thoughts freely, without the burden of filtering out constant negativity- it can be exhausting to carry the weight of someone else's pessimism, and it’s such a relief to connect with those who have an inkling that everything will be okay or that the sky is a saturated beautiful blue, instead of just another day. These interactions allow me to inspire a more uplifting perspective, making every moment feel invigorating rather than draining.
“THE UNKNOWN DOES NOT INTIMIDATE ME BECAUSE I TOO AM THE UNKNOWN TO WHATEVER IS HEADING TOWARDS ME AS I HEAD TOWARDS IT’
- Having time to do my makeup and color coordinate it with my outfit
- Doing meaningful things in my job- like actual, helpful things that make me feel like I have maybe a larger impact in the world than just living in people’s minds.
- Getting excited.
In general. About little things. About finding the perfect position to sit in. In the grand scheme. About a thought. About a thought of you. About a thought of my future. About no thoughts. About my ability to do both. In the small things.
- Seeing everything as God, but never keeping it a secret.
I have no conclusion other than that you should make a list in your notes app.
I hope you have a good day,
-Hope Joy
The brain to the blog ⇣
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