to look forward to
A fancy, dainty tea party with my sister last winter — just because. 💗
You’ve got to have little things to look forward to.
This is about the mundanity of everyday magic. Just the simple, ordinary delights, the tiny joys, and finding ways to celebrate and enjoy your life, even when it doesn’t necessarily feel like a special occasion. Even when it feels like you’re in a rut or there’s a little extra effort required.
What are the small things you can do by way of putting something intentional or a tiny bit of effort in to give yourself more joy and to have something to look forward to?
Something I’ve been really looking forward to and feeling proud of lately are the meals I’m preparing — making really good, filling, satisfying, delicious food for myself and having it ready. Having stuff on hand to pack a good lunch. Seems simple, seems inconsequential. But little things can be surprising highlights in your day.
Another big one this week is listening to a great audiobook! I’ve been listening to Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I’ve spent hours listening to it while I’m working and while I’m doing other things. It’s made even some work I really don’t want to be doing more pleasurable, and it’s been something to look forward to and something I’ve been weaving into my whole day and my activities.
What are some things you can do to lighten your load or to make your life feel more whimsical? Is there some way you can add something fanciful or something fun or something that feels like a special occasion, which makes you look forward to your day, to your tomorrows, to whatever is in front of you?
Last night, I made a really fancy seafood dinner. I kind of went above and beyond at the grocery store, when I was picking out ingredients — in really simple ways, though! I just got a couple extra things I wasn’t expecting to get. There were surprises; I saw them at the meat case when I was at the counter, and I just spontaneously, on a whim, decided to get shrimp skewers and scallops to go with our salmon dinner. I’ve never even cooked scallops before, so that was really fun!
It was not for any sort of occasion. It was just an evening, after work. I cooked up a beautiful, delicious seafood dinner, put it on some plates, and made the presentation pretty. I loved the inviting delight of that — of just an ordinary night made more fun through the act of making it feel like a special occasion, for no reason, just because.
What are some things you can do in your life, just because? Just because you like them? Just because they make you look forward to your day?
All the best. ✨
What’s the special occasion??? Just because.
