When the world feels heavy, I’ve learned that it isn’t the big milestones that save me. It’s the little things. The soft, almost forgettable moments that sneak joy back into my body without asking permission.
So here’s my list — my scattered, imperfect love letter to the tiny anchors that remind me I’m still here. Maybe you’ll see yourself in it. Maybe it’ll inspire you to write your own.
The List
• Indie music and shitty indie films.
• Laughing too loud.
• Sugar — lots of candy, for some reason.
• Going on the swings (yes, I’ve mentioned them in almost every article, but that’s how much they matter).
• Looking at the trees. Watching sunlight stretch across the floor.
• Running until my thoughts quiet down.
• Hugging my kids. Laughing with them. Just looking at them.
• Talking to a friend who gets it.
• Creating something new, even if it’s small.
• Painting.
• Breathing — just remembering I can.
• Sharing a meal.
• Reading very bad literature (sometimes that’s the best kind).
• Watching the sunset and sunrise.
• Riding a bike.
• People watching.
• Taking a shower and feeling human again.
• My best friend’s laugh.
• Fresh notebooks.
• The smell of books.
• Warm socks.
• A cute skirt.
• A cowboy hat.
• A green tea drink.
• Looking through old photos.
• Talking to someone new.
• Writing a song.
• Playing the piano.
• Attempting to play the ukulele.
• Visiting a waterfall.
• Watching the stars.
• Writing a short story.
• Bonfires.
• Cooking for someone I love.
These aren’t big, life-altering things. They’re small, ordinary, sometimes ridiculous. But they keep me alive. They remind me that joy doesn’t have to be earned — it can be found.
✨ Your turn. Make your own list. Write down the little things that bring you back, and hold them close. If you’d like, share a few with us — we’ll feature community lists in an upcoming 224 drop so we can celebrate the tiny joys together.
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