Falling into happiness

One thing I have been challenging myself about recently is finding the joy in my every day. Too often I live in the future, my thoughts racing ahead to the what-comes-nexts rather then sitting back and looking around with appreciation at the here and nows. 2019 is moving a breakneck speed yet it's felt pretty quiet at the same time. I haven't really had a year of monumental moments. Ok sure, in the past month I've been to Cyprus, Paris and watched a film in a drawing room at Buckingham Palace (I will never stop talking about that experience) but generally life has been rather steady.

As I was walking home last week, much later than usual after a busy day at work, I felt...happy. There was no real reason to feel happy, just as there was no real reason to feel unhappy. Nothing drastically good or bad had happened, life just...was. And yet I felt content. More than fine. The gentle kind of happiness, the type that creeps up on you, like the morning sun on your face as you sit basking in its warmth. When you just feel that, yes, life is good.

I have decided to put this all into words - an online thankfulness journal, of sorts. So this autumn, happiness is...


...the changing of the seasons

I'm not going to lie. After coming back from 30 degree heat and swimming in the Mediterranean sea in Cyprus, to rainy, dark Britain, I wasn't exactly thrilled about the start of autumn. But then the trees started turning golden, the leaves underfoot perfectly crunchable, and the air began to get that fresh, crisp scent and I remembered why it is my favourite season. It's the time for woolly jumpers and cuddly scarves. Boots and leggings and coats. A new haircut or a knitted hat. Over-flavoured and over-priced coffee and burying your nose into a new book. Bake Off and period dramas and scented candles. The list goes on. Maybe that makes me a basic white girl, but I don't really care. Pass me those Ugg boots and call me Brittany. Pumpkin Spice Lattes for life.

...getting creative

To me autumn is the time to start anew. With only three months until the end of the year, heck, the decade, something awakens in me and I start to shift gear into full throttle project mode. After a full day at work, it can be hard to muster the energy to do something creative instead of flopping in front of the tv until it's time for bed. As the nights draw in and the weather gets colder, I'm using this time to do things that spark my creativity. I'm trying to remember that it's not about how good I am, it's how good it makes me feel.

...living in London

I know, I know, this one is on my 'forever' list but after three years of living here, I often forget how much I love this place. It becomes routine, mundane, just another part of life. I generally avoid town on the weekends because it becomes a crowded, touristy hellhole, and so weeks can go by without me ever really feeling like I live in one of the biggest and best cities in the world. A few weeks ago I was walking over Waterloo Bridge and I was suddenly struck with an overwhelming gratitude. I live in LONDON. The home of literature and theatre and a thousand historical figures. And not only that, London feels like mine. I have my 'places' - coffee shops I love, parks I frequent, little side streets that are off the beaten path. It's the place I always dreamed about and I'm going to try to appreciate every moment, even if that will be difficult on the rush hour Piccadilly line.

...saying no

I can be a bit of a yes person. Sometimes because I feel like I should say yes, but mostly because I want to do ALL OF THE THINGS. There are so many experiences in life and choosing not to do one seems like a big waste. But even though I want to do all the things, whether I should is another matter entirely. The more I start to take time for myself, the more I realise I need that time. As much as it can suck saying no to a fun social engagement, I know that I'll be a better me if I just take that time to sleep, or read, or have a bath or just switch off. And through this, I've started learning more about myself. About the things that drain me and the things that cause me to light up. The more I do it, the easier saying no becomes - and the more I like it.

...deepening friendships
Lastly, I'm truly cherishing the friendships I currently have, and am intentionally carving out more space to enjoy time with them. Whether it's chats over coffee, going to the cinema or even just sending funny memes to each other, few things bring me such joy in life than spending time with the people I love.