Little Things that Bring Joy

This prolonged lockdown is taking a toll on our mental health. We thought we had it worst in 2020, but 2021 is just a loss of words.  

I keep telling myself that I've been fortunate and privileged to have a job and my family around me and most importantly to be healthy during these crazy times, and I know that there are people going through way worse than me, but it's still hard for all of us, isn't it?  

Hence, I've tried and learned new hobbies after learning new ones just to keep my sanity in check. But sometimes, it's easier to focus on what we don't have rather than what we have, so I thought I would write small things that make me happy to shift my focus and find pleasure in small and simple things in life.  

1. A Clean Bedroom. I consider my bedroom as my personal sacred space, as I spend most of my time in my bedroom. There is a space to work, do hobbies, read, listen to music, do morning stretching, write, watch Netflix, and sleep. It's crucial for me to keep my bedroom neat as a cluttered room will make me feel overwhelmed. Decluttering and organizing my wardrobe, receipts, stationery, and workspace is one of the ways to lift the clouds of my grey mood. As the saying goes, declutter your room, declutter your mind.  
   
   
2. My Morning Coffee. I'm always the biggest fan of coffee, and now that my home coffee-maker is finally fixed, I'm now excited to get into bed and to look forward to tomorrow for my morning coffee. Another reason to stay alive.
   
   
3. Buying Albums. I love listening to music, and as you all probably can guess, most of the time I listen to Kpop songs and I'm especially an SM stan. I recently have been collecting their music albums and am looking forward to collecting more of their albums. NCT 127 & NCT 2021, come on!
   
   
   
   
   
4. Browsing Shopee. I honestly still think window shopping through physical stores is the best as I can see, touch, feel and try out items myself. However, it still feels unsafe for me to go out right now, so browsing Shopee is the only option left. But it seems like this habit is getting out of hand lately. Now, tell me, who needs a wooden plater when she already has dozens of freaking normal plates??!!
   
   
5. Receiving Parcels. As much as I love browsing through Shopee, waiting for my parcels is also one of the small things that bring me happiness. Checking my package every morning, tracking them, and anticipating their arrival into my life is something to look forward to.
   
   
6. Journaling. When talking about the small things that bring me happiness, journaling should never be left out. It's the best way to unload my mind and organize my thoughts when things get too overwhelming, and I've been practicing this for years.
   
   
7. Morning Workout. I honestly hate exercising. I hate sweating, and I don't know how to do skipping, so working out for me is totally like a whole new routine. And I wonder too what makes me start, or to even think of starting this new routine. I mean, this is really the irony of me. But I have to say, once I started, it did change my life.
   
   
8. Back into Reading. I am now reading books again. The last time I bought a book was in February, and I forgot about reading for a while, somehow, I managed to finish reading my 'latest' purchased books in July. But still, I have to credit myself for finally completing my books *pats head. Currently, I'm reading Becoming by Michelle Obama, and I'm hooked, so I ordered a few more books from Bookdepository. Oh Ain, I hope this is not me of being impulsive.
   
   
9. Playing Santa. As much as I love counting days and anticipate for my parcel to arrive every morning, I just want to share the happiness with my closest friends, and in this situation where we still can't hang out, gather and meet friends, I just thought it would be perfect time to be playing Santa. It's the same secret Santa game as we all have played during our school days, but this time you're the Santa, but it's not a secret because you actually have to ask around your friends their home addresses. I loved the feeling of having a hard time choosing the perfect gift for every single person and the satisfaction when my friends received and were happy with their presents, it's like a part of my love language. You should try this too! Another level of happiness, I must say.