Something I’ve been thinking about a lot is how I can make more time for the little moments that bring me joy every day. I have a good life that I’m very happy with but sometimes it can feel like all I do is go go go so I like to make sure that I’m 1. really thinking about and appreciating all of the nice things I have and get to do and 2. finding ways to add a little more joy to my life, even if it’s something small.
I think life can easily feel like a constant state of “busy” and often times it doesn’t feel like I truly get the time to myself I need to feel like I’m at my best. Somedays I wake up and all I look forward to is getting back into my bed later that night and all of the in-between feels incredibly mundane. Like I’m just going through the motions even though I truly do enjoy working and love creating content.
It’s important to me to create little things to be excited about each day and week so I am constantly feeling like I have something to look forward to. Sometimes it feels like if I don’t have a big trip coming up or a fun event then there’s nothing to get excited about but that’s totally untrue. It’s up to all of us to create a life we love and part of that is carving out time to do something that makes us happy each day.
Here are some of the things that bring me joy that I integrate into my schedule each week. Enjoy!
COFFEE IN BED
Every morning when I get up at 5 am like a lunatic the only thing that gets my butt out of bed is the promise of coffee. It’s a really nice moment that’s just for me! I sit in bed with my coffee and take a few minutes to wake up slowly before I dive into work or rush off to my pilates class.
MY FAVORITE PODCASTS WHILE I DRIVE
I drive all over the city most days so I like to use that time to listen to something fun. Or actually, a lot of the time not so fun because I’m a pretty big true crime fan. I shared my favorite podcasts from 2019 here if you want some recommendations!
Right now I’m listening to The Dropout podcast all about the Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos scandal. I also like to listen to audiobooks (non-fiction only) sometimes too. It makes my drives go by way faster.
COOKING FOR FRIENDS
This is my new favorite thing and I try to have someone over for dinner at least 2-3 times a month. I have been having so much fun teaching myself new recipes and love to share them with my friends. I am especially into pasta (LOL clearly, if you follow my blog you know this) so that’s usually on the menu although I am trying to diversify.
It’s just really lovely to have a friend over to catch up over wine and a tasty meal. It’s cozy and low key and there’s no better feeling than hearing someone tell you they loved your food!
WALKS AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD
I moved into the prettiest neighborhood last year and I love taking walks on the weekends. There are such beautiful views and it’s really nice to get some fresh air even if it’s only for 15 minutes.
EARLY BEDTIMES
Oh boy, this is a favorite for sure. I LOVE going to bed early. Mostly because I get up really early and so it’s kind of a necessity but even on the weekends I often find myself “treating myself to an early bedtime”, as I like to say.
I can’t think of a better scenario than taking a hot shower, crawling into bed (on clean sheets!) at 8 pm, reading a chapter or two of a good book and passing the f*ck out! Truly a dream.
FROZEN PIZZA FRIDAYS
Sometimes it’s a frozen pizza Thursday but I do try to eat pretty clean during the work week. But whenever I don’t have plans on a Friday my favorite thing to do is to make a frozen pizza, have a glass of wine, plop on my couch and watch Netflix. It’s the best.
It’s literally what I imagined myself doing when I was a kid and it makes me really proud that I’m making my dreams come true.
WINE WHILE MEAL PREPPING
Every Sunday evening I meal prep for the week and honestly, I really enjoy this time. If you’re curious about meal prepping check out my guide here.
I put on some music, pour a glass of wine and start cooking! It takes me between 1-2 hours depending on what I’m making but it’s so nice to have it out of the way for the week. Plus it’s a really fun ritual for me. I love trying new recipes and learning and it’s so satisfying when I’m done and I’ve made something delicious to look forward to for the rest of the week.
FRESH FLOWERS
Every week when I go grocery shopping I pick up fresh flowers for my bedroom and the living room. It makes such a difference! It makes any space feel more cheerful and instantly lifts my mood. Personally I love hydrangeas.
CLEAN SHEETS EVERY WEEK
This might be overkill for some people but I love starting every week with fresh sheets. I have a couple of sets so I just make sure one of them always gets washed over the weekend so on Sunday night I can switch them out. A very small thing that makes a huge difference in my opinion.
TUESDATES WITH MY COUSIN
A few months back my cousin Olivia and I realized that we weren’t spending enough time together and Tuesdates were born.
We aim for every Tuesday but of course, some things come up and there are times we have to skip one. For the most part, however, we spend Tuesday evenings together and it’s so fun! Sometimes we have fancy Tuesdates where we make a reservation somewhere but most of the time we either order in food and watch tv or I’ll have her over for dinner. She’s a great cook so it’s fun to have her there with me while I’m making something new so I can get some tips.
It’s such a nice way to catch up on a regular basis and a fun weeknight event to look forward to.
SUNDAY MORNING FACIALS
I loooooove to do an elaborate skincare routine when I have the time and Sunday mornings are perfect for it. I’ll do a few different masks and sit in my robe with some coffee on the couch. It’s a great way to reset my skin for the week!
WEEKEND PILATES
I try to go to pilates at least 3 times a week (often times it’s more like 2 but I do my best!) and ideally two of those times are on the weekends. When I go during the week I go to a 6 am class because I don’t really have time during the day and I hate working out at night.
I’m up at 5 am during the week anyway so it’s not the end of the world but it definitely isn’t ideal. It’s cold and dark and if it’s rainy it’s a real bummer running from my car to the studio, especially if I have to park a few blocks away.
So it’s definitely a real treat when I’m able to make time on the weekends to go to a 12pm class (like I am today!). It’s so much more leisurely and I don’t have to rush off to work right after which is really nice.
THROWING PARTIES
I love planning a party. When I was a little kid my mom would throw parties for me and my friends throughout the year and planning them with her was almost more fun than the actual party itself.
I’m currently planning a Galentine’s Day Brunch for my girlfriends and I can’t wait! I’m having such a blast picking out the food and drinks and ordering fun decorations online! I love entertaining (something I definitely get from my mom) and it’s so nice to have so many of my sweet friends all together in the same room.
CLEANING MY HOUSE
I know I’m a grandma but I really do love having a clean house. I take a couple of hours every weekend to vacuum, dust, clean the kitchen, the bathroom, etc. and it makes everything feel so nice for the week. My roommates are pretty good at maintaining it throughout the week so it really only needs to be cleaned once a week.
It just feels really nice to come home to a clean house.
A GOOD BOOK ON SATURDAY MORNING
I try to read a little bit every night before bed but often times I’m too tired to keep my eyes open for more than a page. I love taking time on Saturday mornings to sit on the couch my coffee and get a few chapters in of whatever it is I’m reading at the moment.
Currently, I’m reading Normal People by Sally Rooney. I’ll tell you how it is once I’m finished!
PICKING OUT OUTFITS I LOVE
Another weekend ritual that makes me really happy is planning out my outfits for the week. I’m the type of person who is really affected by what I’m wearing and it can really make me feel off if I don’t like my outfit. I know that seems shallow and dumb but it is what it is!
I think we all want to feel like we look our best and a great outfit has the power to totally change up our moods. So I like to take some time on the weekends to plan out looks that I love without the rush of trying to get out the door.
I also hate wrinkles so I steam everything ahead of time and hang all of my outfits up in my closet so all I have to do every morning is just get dressed.
VISITING MY PARENTS
I’m very lucky to have such a close bond with my cute parents and I try to make sure I see them as much as possible. This usually means visiting every other week (when I can I try to go once a week!) and it’s always such a treat.
It’s just really nice to have dinner with them and catch up and then in the morning drink coffee with them. My mom and I always like to have a glass of wine or a cocktail after dinner and gossip. Like mother, like daughter ha!
GOING THROUGH MY COOKBOOKS
As a food lover and someone who is new to cooking, I have so much fun just going through my cookbooks and thinking about all of the delicious things I want to make.
I have post-it notes on the pages that I’m most excited about and I like to make notes on them about who I would want to make that dish for and what I want to pair it with. I love to do this on weeknights while I’m eating dinner which I realize is a whole other level of food obsession. I am who I am!
What little moments in your day bring you joy? Tell me in the comments below!
Xo,
She
