Stroller: Bugaboo Cameleon | Denim: Frame | Duster: Zara | Sneakers: Sezane
Yesterday, I was reading this article, written by Google’s former happiness guru, and it served as such an important reminder that life truly is about the little things in life. I know that statement might seem a little cliche, but then why is it so easy to forget? Especially in todays society when it’s never been easier to compare your life/your looks/your success/your social calendar to someone else’s. Even when, what you see through an edited filter, is not entirely accurate.
Social media is a blessing, but I think we could all agree that it’s equally a curse. A thing many of you reminded me with your comments in this post. God knows, I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole and hours later, I’m looking at Mary’s sister, Sarah, who is vacationing in Capri. Who is Mary? Who is Sarah? Not a damn clue, but here I am, wishing I, too, was vacationing in Capri.
The above linked article (thanks to Cup of Jo for sharing it) speaks about “the thin slices of joy.” I read it and thought “YES! this serves as a much needed reminder.” Generally speaking, I’m a happy person. I’ve never suffered from real depression (except one postpartum period, which I plan to share in the upcoming weeks) and I try my hardest to be “half glass full..” but at the same time, it’s so easy to live day-by-day and not really appreciate the little things that bring us pure joy. So in the spirit of trying to work on this mental exercise, I wanted to share some little things that bring me slices of joy.
*My family. This goes without saying but I thank my my lucky stars for them.
*Obviously, everything surrounding Nate and being a first time mom. Sure, it’s a roller coaster of emotions and balance, but it’s one of my greatest joys in life.
*I know that coffee, wine and chocolate was mentioned in my guilty pleasures post, but all three bring me such happiness. In general, that morning cup of coffee gives me life on so many different levels.
*Having things to look forward to is key for my mental happiness. Whether it’s date night with Keith or going out with my girlfriends, or a one-on-one brunch with a close friend. I love knowing these amazing events are in my near future.
*A fresh manicure or pedicure. It makes me feel so much more put together and prettier.
*A clean house.
*Fresh flowers.
*When my skin looks good. One thing I’ve noticed about myself, when my skin doesn’t look good, it severely affects my mood. Does this sound vain? Probably, but it’s the truth.
*Getting a good workout in. So hard to start, but I often have to remind myself “just remember how amazing you’ll feel after.”
*Saturday Morning. Especially that feeling of waking up early and knowing the entire weekend is ahead of you.
*Finding a perfect pair of jeans. For every pair that I fall in love with, I tried on 25 pairs before that.
*Almond butter, avocados and bananas. Seriously cannot live without them.
*Crossing something off my to-do list. I’ve actually written completed tasks on my to-do list, just so I can cross them off.
*NYC during the summer holidays. Everyone leaves and the city feels like your own personal oasis.
*A day or night to myself. As much as I love being around those I love, I equally love time to myself. Walking around the city by myself, lunch at the bar of some restaurant or spending a night in, getting to do or watch whatever I want.
*Relaxing on the couch with Keith, glass of red wine in hand and watching good TV. We started watching Game of Thrones for the first time and are currently on season 2!
*The first signs of spring, especially after a dreary winter.
*Fall and everything about it.
39 comments
La Bijoux Bella | by mia
How cute is the photo … you both are matching in sweaters! So cute! 🙂
?LA BIJOUX BELLA? | BY MIA | A Creative Lifestyle Blog
April 4, 2017Lynn
I so love these thoughtful posts from you because they feel so relatable. ?❤️
I wholly agree with Saturday mornings, coffee, chocolate and avocado! Justin and I have our own TV rituals (The Walking Dead! ?) but I also love when we work on our blog together because it feels like a true partnership.
Also 100% agree on maintaining alone time as a couple, I love weekends when I just stroll around the city by myself – then Justin and I have stuff to talk about later!
Thanks, as always, for sharing! ❤️
http://madhattersnyc.com
April 4, 2017Kate Painter
I agree with everything you listed- eerily!! I teach classes at a psychiatric facility and will share that link that you added- I think many benefit from mindfulness! Thanks for sharing and writing more personable relate-able posts that also includes killer style!
April 4, 2017Mireia
Absolutely love it!
Mireia from TGL
April 4, 2017https://thegoldlipstick.com/
Ewa Macherowska
Nice post dear <3
http://www.evdaily.blogspot.com
April 4, 2017Emilia Dobrydney
I love love this!!!!!!!! So relatable and I agree with all of the above one hundred percent!! If I had to choose my top three joys it would be morning snuggles with my kiddos as I enjoy my favorite cup of unrushed coffee, alone time and chocolate ? Have a great day and as always you’re amazing!!
April 4, 2017Flavia dos Santos
There are so many things about your post that I can relate with. I’m also a mom of one year old and for a while I would compare myself to other new moms on Instagram. They seem to have everything all figured out and I felt like I was struggling the whole time. But at the end of the day I needed to make a critical assessment of myself. Overall, I really like your post because these are the things that most people don’t talk about.
Thank you!
April 4, 2017Kristina
I can relate to most of the things that you wrote 🙂 There is nothing better than a Saturday morning, a clean house and guilty pleasures like chocolate and wine!
April 4, 2017♡Kristina
TheKontemporary
debbie
I love that first cup of coffee in the morning.The silence of the middle of the night.Picking up a fresh bouquet of flowers.Finding a special treasure in a boutique that you just have to have.My kitty Jack snuggled up beside me.
April 4, 2017Of course,red wine!
Chantal
That’s so interesting you mention NYC during summer holidays being quiet! I’d assume it would be packed with tourists and busy busy busy!
April 4, 2017Francine
What a lovely post! Again, another reason why I so enjoy your blog. It’s genuine and not at all contrived.
I run my own company and am mom of three (!) boys, so finding small joys is a conscious effort. But here we go…
– Love my 5:30am morning bootcamp class. We work out right by the ocean, so I feel lucky every moment I’m there.
– A venti-blonde roast from Starbucks right after class. It takes me 5 minutes to “season” it just right. Trust me, I take my time.
– The “thunk” I hear after UPS leaves something on my doorstep. I’ll admit to a small online shopping problem.
– Halo-Top chocolate ice cream after my monsters (ooops, I mean boys) are tucked in for the night.
– Watching a ‘Friends’ re-run with said ice-cream on my lap.
xxoo
April 4, 2017Rach
This is a good list of what brings you joy and I also love the waking up early on a Saturday and enjoying my cup of coffee in silence and looking through magazines and catalogs. It is so peaceful!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
April 4, 2017Carey
I love this, so many times lately when I’m feeling like there is a long list of things to be done or that i’m not meeting some crazy standard for myself I will just stop and play with my boys or cuddle one of them and just totally focus on that moment and think this is what makes life happy everyday, not the stuff or the where or what just them right there, those are the moments that make every day happy and wonderful:)
April 4, 2017Aakansha
Really cute post. We need to Lee reminding ourselves of the little things that make us happy.
April 4, 2017I loved the ‘adding a completed item to the to do list’ part cos I do the same :-p !!!
X
Sel
Ditto to many of the things that you have listed. Also on my list is bringing nature indoors. My home is filled with plants – my husband and son often joke about it and make jungle animal sounds every time I add a new plant to the collection (but secretly they love it!). Also, helping others – I do volunteer work. I do not have little children (my son is 19) so I have time to participate in volunteer work. When he was little I did not have the time to do this. Something that gave me great joy when my son was little (and I miss so much now) was snuggling on the couch or bed with him and reading stories to him before bedtime.
April 4, 2017Savedsoulstyle
My first and foremost joy is that God is the foundation of our family. Because I have a testimony of our marriage life within our 21 years of marriage, nothing is more satisfying to me than having a God fearing husband. The joy that it brings me to know that he makes me feel safe and protected in all aspects of our marriage is unbelievable. To watch him be so passionate about chasing God’s heart is such a reward that brings so much peace and joy to my heart. Yes I do also have some of your joys in common, but if I had to just pick one, this one would be the winner for me. Thanks for sharing with us?
April 4, 2017MaGda
Great post!
http://www.gloryofthesnow.com
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[…] I was looking at one of my favorite blogs, Brooklyn Blonde, today, and one of her most recent posts titled “What Brings You Joy?” […]
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April 4, 2017Carmel
Omg Game of thrones is soooo addictive!! Vikings next!!!
April 5, 2017Adriana
Such a great post! I couldn’t agree more with you in some parts! The feeling of a clean house or a chocolate, coffee, ice cream are so good!
xx
The Black Blush
April 5, 2017YZ
i love this post! thanks for being real. Looking forward to your post on PPD.
April 5, 2017Kimberley
I love this post! I quit facebook after realizing that it was making me feel sad about my life rather than happy for other people more often than not! Little things that make me happy:
April 5, 2017-the satisfied feeling of peeling off the biore strip…so gross, but so cool!
-a fresh purple pen for grading papers!
-when someone else unloads the dishwasher
-goat cheese & baguette
-something to look forward too….I need that as well for my mental health…right now, I’ve got a date night with my wife on Friday & a full day of “me” time on Saturday! It’s getting me through this long week!
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[…] Törmäsin tähän Brooklyn Blonde-blogin postaukseen eilen, jossa pohdittiin asioita jotka tuottavat itselle iloa. Siinä linkattiin myös mielenkiintoiseen artikkeliin, jonka on kirjoittanut Googlen entinen “onnellisuusguru”. Periaatteessa artikkeli pohtii sitä kuinka meidän pitäisi tunnistaa ne pienet (usein aika merkityksettömät asiat) ja löytää niistä se ilo. […]
April 5, 2017Jana
I love this post! Thanks for sharing the link and being so open and honest regarding your thoughts. I agree, life is really about the little things. I love when it’s raining to take my umbrella away and just feel the raindrops. I also love just laying in bed with my husband making each other laugh. Regarding social media, I’ve surely fallen down that rabbit hole to Mary and Sarah..who? And have to remind myself that I was Mary, Sarah or whoever and did go to Capri. And I remind myself of how grateful I am for that. Bisous xx
April 5, 2017nicole Sioui
* This one might seem corny, but on my days off, my frothy cappuccino in the morning and catching up on my favorite blogger “Brooklyn Blonde” 🙂
April 5, 2017* Curling up on the couch with a blanket and my favorite magazines
* My small veggie garden I started a few years ago
* Popcorn, chocolate, wine and coffee
* Enjoying my summertime meals outdoors
* Shopping with my girlfriend
* Knowing I’ve made someone else happy
* Sushi night with my husband
* Ambiance of a bunch of candles and a movie
*P.J. snowstorm day
* Weekends at the cottage
Beyazmin Jimenez
I really enjoy how your blog has evolved while keeping true to your personal touch and style.
Keeping with the theme:
April 6, 2017– I enjoy the feeling of starting a new book. Getting a first glimpse of the adventure the pages will walk you through allows my creative nature to flow
– Travel! I love the planning, the rush of arrival, scouting a new city, and experiencing a new surrounding
– Having a good laugh with friends and feeling that connection of being silly, and carefree even if just for a few moments
Sierra Sanchez
I think our happiness list looks very much the same 🙂 (plus I noticed red wine twice – major key!)
April 6, 2017Madeline
What a lovely post, I just have to join in! There are so many things that bring me joy, but here are just a few:
April 6, 2017-when the weather is warm enough to just wear my jean jacket outside
-putting together an outfit that looks good and that I feel confident in
-watching a classic movie on a Saturday morning (love Roman Holiday)
-re-watching the entire series of One Tree Hill (for the 7th time)
-eating breakfast for dinner
-finding a gorgeous pair of shoes on sale
-decorating cakes
-finding time to read a great book (currently on the go: Yes Please)
-being in New York City in May
Taylor
Such a great post! I try to find a “thin slice of joy” in every day. I think people truly forget how important it is to just smile and let yourself feel happiness. Also, adding completed things to the to-do list is so me… we should get credit for the things we were on top of!
April 11, 2017xo, Taylor
Mette
Spot on…love it
April 15, 2017megan
I love your post like these because they are real. Its so important to remember the little things in life!
April 15, 2017Edward Gelber
So relatable and I agree with all of the above one hundred percent!!
April 22, 2017html color
Thanks for the information you brought to us. They are very interesting and new. Look forward to reading more useful and new articles from you!
April 24, 2017khan
Thanks for sharing and writing more personable relate-able posts that also includes killer style!
June 11, 2017Sabi
http://www.mohalimovers.in
July 18, 2017Rahmat Iqbal
I agree with all of the above one hundred percent!!
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October 2, 2017Nikky prIddu
I pray and hope that in the near future, I can put together a list like yours. I am so miserable, totally consumed with medical school, being a mom (I love both my babies) and a wife. Thank you for this reassuring post.
December 2, 2017