#Small Joys

[sammysworld11]

i treated myself to dunkin today after making a lot of money saving moves this week

it’s small joys saturday y’all let’s get it

[always-coffee]

Yesterday, I sent in the paperwork to be a member of SFWA. Last year, they changed the rules, allowing poetry sales to qualify for membership. I have more than met the threshold.

I am extremely proud of this, and I have never joined a professional organization before.

I absolutely had to fill out a spreadsheet, and it was worth it. (I secretly like spreadsheets. Shhh.)

[rainyyy-dayysss]

I like canceled plans. And empty book stores. I like rainy days and thunderstorms. And quite coffee shops. I like messy beds and overworn pajamas. Most of all, I like small joys that a simple life brings.

[the-golden-comet]

This goes without saying, but I hope that everyone is taking care of themselves. (To be clear, everything is well with me—life’s just been busy as per usual).

In times of uncertainty, hold on to the connections you make, and the activities you enjoy. Tether yourself to life and get some sunshine. Go on a walk if you’re able to—appreciate nature. There will be harder days, but there will be happier ones, too.

Go back to your former hobbies, and recall the feelings of the first time you did it. Where were you? What was it like? What inspires you? Do something kind for yourself, even if the world doesn’t treat you as kindly. Be cordial with others, but treat yourself with kindness even if it means setting firm boundaries for your own health. You owe it to yourself to give your brain the best.

Optimism? You fucking bet. We only have one life to live, so we might as well make the most of it to the best of our capabilities. Take care of yourselves, and your communities.

[deadworm27]

i think this is the most important part of life actually. and maybe thats because im midwestern. and maybe thats why i feel uncomfterble wearing headphones in public like i feel it's a little rude almost. that is just me tho.

& you know what it actually IS lifechanging to smile at strangers & say please & thank you & goodmorning & compliment someones outfit & help someone in need & be more accepting of loving other people just because they are other people!!!

[thetypewriterdaily]

i’ve come to love the softness of it all, the way life unfolds without forcing itself to be anything more than it is 🫧💓🍃🌈🍄🐾🧁

[marlynnofmany]

Any alien with an exoskeleton is really missing out on the appreciation of soft fuzzy things. I'm currently sitting on a soft couch, in a soft sweater, under an exceptionally fuzzy blanket and a remarkably soft-furred cat. It is the height of luxury, and the aliens will never know what they're missing.

[kingkesia]

Being a fine plant mom is enough for me tbh ✨🪴

[phdmama]

Look what I’m learning!!!!

[roboticchibitan]

Hopepunk small joy for the day: I don't remember which one of the people I follow it posted the recipe, but a while ago someone made a thai beef dish that's basically ground beef, fish sauce, soy sauce, and a tiny bit of sugar, served with rice, and mentioned making quick pickled carrots. Well, we had some leftover shredded carrots that needed to be used up, so I'm finally making the thai rice bowl with pickled carrots! I've only ever had it sans vegetables before this, and I'm excited to try it!

Oooh nice!! My hopepunk thing for the day is I asked my friend if she'd buy me 2oz of my favorite tea because I was somehow completely out of black tea and instead she bought me 6oz of my favorite tea and tea tins to store it in because when she asked me if she could get me more than 2oz I told her I couldn't take more than 4oz because my tea storage is not optimal (My tea storage was a bunch of pickle jars and tea degrades when exposed to light). That was so kind of her! And the tea arrived today and my first cup of it was soooo tasty!! And I have proper storage to keep it that way!

Anybody else got a small joy?

[edenfenixblogs]

Put up some film that makes my windows look like stained glass so I could have some privacy from the street.

It casts rainbows all over my room during the day, which I love. But I just looked over. And I wasn’t prepared for how gorgeous it looks at night.

[plushiebi]

i don’t know. i’m barely a person. i just want to be kind and hold someone’s hand. eat an ice cream cone. stare at the lake. feel the sun on my skin. lay in the grass. run through a sprinkler. it’s so easy to forget life is supposed to feel like a deep breath and not a gasp

[ink-stains-and-constellations]

I can't fix everything in the world. But I made an apple pie. It's yummy. I'm going to share it with my family later for dessert. It'll make them happy. It made me happy. And that's not nothing.

[trans-axolotl]

At the bike shop to get my wheelchair repaired and they had the exact right size of tires in stock as well so they’re just replacing both my tires so I don’t even have to order them yayyy

There’s also three little kids all in here getting their bikes customized so that it’s easier for them to do wheelies and they’re so serious about it lol it’s so fun

[ivory--raven]

found a chair in the woods on my way home

and a bullfrog was singing

[always-coffee]

My neighbor’s Bengal cat has been popping by, a few times a day lately, for love. It's unexpected--seemingly out of nowhere. Love, though, is like that.

He just appears, doing his chirpy meow, as if to ask if I can come out and play. I do, every chance I get. He gets a million pets, and it makes me smile. We sit and we snuggle. He proudly brought me a leaf he murdered. Nothing is cuter than this small leopard spotting me and racing across the grass like hooray, I have found you!

He calls, and I answer. I pspspsps, and he answers. We are both delighted. Both intensely happy to enjoy each other’s company as much as we are able. During the week, he simply took a nap next to me, while I laid my hand on his side.

I am reminded of this by Thich Nhat Hanh: “You must love in such a way that the person you love feels free.” Often, loving someone--or even just caring about someone--is reminding them that you are there. That they're not alone. No pressure, just steadiness. Showing up when needed, without expectation.

The Bengal cat reminded me of this, and now I am reminding you.