Let's start off the List of Happy with a confession: I have been struggling this week. Before our holiday, and immediately when we got back, work has been down right insane for Brad. I'm talking 18-hour work days and little-to-no sleep kind of insane. This means that I am spending most days, all day long, in charge of the kids.
This might be fine for some people, but it's not really my jam. Let's just say, I will be eternally thankful for our babysitter. And my new love, Grey Goose. Today on the blog, I wanted to focus the energy that I have left—thank you Gabi for the lovely walk last night to help refill my tank—on the positive! Redirecting my energy towards things that make me happy just seemed like the right thing to do right now.
Enter, my List of Happy! Just in case you’d like to try something new, or find out what I’ve been into lately.
The Armchair Expert
I have listened to The Armchair Expert Podcast since Episode 1. There are far too many episodes for me to have listened to them all, but it is definitely one of my favourites. Actor Dax Shepherd and his friend, actor Monica Padman, interview so many amazing people! This one definitely needed to make the List of Happy this week … I died laughing a recent fact check (if you know, you know) at Dax's Arnold Schwarzenegger impression. And the way they talked about how excited they were about an upcoming guest—who they said they would choose to interview over Barack Obama—made me SUPER excited for that upcoming episode!
After listening to the Bradley Edwards podcast, next up on tv for me will definitely be the Netflix Jeffrey Epstein documentary (Bradley Edwards is a lawyer that represents victims of Jeffrey Epstein). Watch out for that next time on the list!
Bigger Love
Love John Legend?
Me, too! After listening to him on The Armchair Expert, I have had his most recent album—Bigger Love—on repeat. It’s groovy, serves his typical style nicely, and has just the right amount of quirky to keep me entertained. Give it a listen if you haven’t already! We are Apple people, so the link leads to Apple Music. Even if you don't subscribe, check out the description for the album. It contains a summary by John Legend of the story behind each song. My current favourite being the catchy title track. But if you're anything like me, your favourite song changes frequently!
Flowers
Last weekend when I was at the grocery store, I thought to myself that I wanted to buy some flowers to cheer things up a little in our house. I forgot, as happens with non-essential items, okay with essential items, too. But when I went back to the store yesterday to grab some more fresh produce, the first thing I saw when I got there was a beautiful display of sunflowers. I grabbed two bunches that now have their home in the dining room and make me so happy every time I look at them. Sunflowers hold a special place in my heart; they remind me of Rachael.
Reading
This week marked the ‘deadline’ that I had for finishing a new-ish author friend’s draft of her next book. I am so excited to see the polished version of Rachael Bell-Irving’s next book of her Wicked Conjuring Series; I even told her I think I was even more hooked by this story than I was the first! It was only the second fantasy/young adult novel I’ve read in a very, very long time. And it was good!
Second, I started reading Save the Cat Writes a Novel while we were on our holiday in Halfmoon Bay. When I packed the book, I knew that I would want to take notes along the way, and was I ever right! Basically, the novel follows 15 recommended beats, or points, that every great story/movie/novel in the past consistently contains within its pages. As soon as I knew that the novel would set out these beats, I packed a pen and paper to make sure I could start comparing the beats to Romi’s story so far. Nerd alert: I am loving this book and have been so excited to work through the beats in my next novel. I had initially planned to write a Romi update today, but it will be coming soon! Editing is no joke.
Being Outside - Without the Kids
This one started out as “connecting with friends,” but shifted when I realized that being outside has been the only way I’ve been connecting with my friends. Which is great, don’t get me wrong! Getting outside and just existing for a while is so good for my soul. And that's the thing about true friends; they know when you need a pick-me-up, visit and a walk. Mostly, I think, because they need it, too.
After last night’s walk, I realized that I just enjoy being outside when I don’t have to monitor the kids. Last weekend I took some time to myself to wander the Coquitlam farmer’s market and then take myself on a walk. I went to Lafarge Lake, but as soon as I stepped onto the path, I realized that it was far too busy for me and that I craved being outside in the quiet of the forest instead. The picture clearly says otherwise, but there were people everywhere.
That one is on my list of things to do for myself this weekend.
What’s on yours?
Tell me, what’s making you happy these days? Pick a little thing, or tell me the biggest, most beautiful thing that is bringing you more positivity in this time of uncertainty.
Be happy,
Anya
Lafarge Lake, Coquitlam
Crazy- I have been getting fresh flowers for the house too! Loving that right now.
Warm days on the patio and waking up to sunshine pouring in the windows is topping my happy list right now. Also when the kids decide to have a nice long nap or sleep in till 8!
There is just something about fresh flowers and sunshine! 🙂