A few weeks ago, I wrote a confession piece about how I still sweat the small stuff — no matter how much meditation and deep breathing I do. And while I still stand on that, I’m also trying to pay more attention to the little things that bring me joy.
These past few months have been hard. So hard that I almost forgot to post this.
Since March, I’ve been splitting my weeks between PA and NY to help care for my elderly (sorry, Kathy H!) aging parents. And if that wasn’t enough, on top of all their health issues, they’ve also decided to move again … Next week!
If you’ve been following along, you know it didn’t go smoothly the first time we moved them, back in December 2024. So far, this time isn’t much better. The only saving grace is that they are happier about this move than the last. I’m pretty sure it’s because of “all the fancy amenities” at their new place😉
To protect my sanity, I’ve been walking every day for at least an hour. It gives me time to clear my head and work through the emotional turmoil of raising my parents. Because let’s be honest … Raising octogenarians is hard — physically or emotionally.
I’ve also been keeping a list of the little things each day that bring me joy to help counteract all the bullshit and stress. Most are trivial, but as much as I sweat the small stuff, I can also appreciate the small stuff.
Here’s what’s been keeping me from losing my mind lately:
- The neighborhood cows running to the fence to greet me on my morning walks
- The smell of my neighbor’s lilac bush
- Fresh hair color (and ooh, that scalp massage during the wash … heaven!)
- Homemade chocolate pecan walnut butter😋
- A yummy new mocktail😋
- My shiny, new refrigerator
- Butt-lifting leggings🍑 (#iykyk)
- A gym playlist with all bangers (no skips necessary)
- Talking to my bestie on the phone
- Having lunch with my oldest friends, and having dinner with another
- Lifting heavier than last week (progressive overload for the win!)
- Sleeping in a plush hotel bed
SIDE NOTE: I would have liked to add, “The construction in my yard finally being done after eight long weeks when it should’ve only been two,” but it’s still not done😡 Hopefully, it’ll make next week’s list🤞 … If not, making bail probably will.
So, what’s giving you joy these days? I want to know!
—LJDT
