This year's big small joys
Four inspiring people share their biggest small joys of 2024.
One of the best things about this newsletter has been hearing about what brings other people joy via text messages, emails, DMs and even IRL. And so for the last edition of Small Joys this year, I wanted to do something special and ask a few people who have inspired me to look back and share three of their biggest small joys in 2024. I’m so grateful they were able to take part! Here’s what they had to say.
Irene Kim is one of my favourite fashion follows on Substack with her newsletter, In Moda Veritas (and we actually crossed paths years ago when I wrote for her!). I love her What I’m Wearing series, which documents her daily outfits, full of effortless style and cool insouciance (looking to channel more of this sartorial energy next year!). I also appreciate how she doesn’t chase trends, but believes in finding key pieces that’ll be workhorses in your wardrobe.
Friday nights: These days, Friday nights are synonymous with walking to a local Korean restaurant with my husband and our two boys (8 and 10). Korean food is forever a source of comfort for me. After any time away from home, the first thing I do is eat a Korean meal! After we walk home, we plop down onto the couch for a movie, piling on top of each other in one big cuddle ball. The best.
Double espressos in bed: My husband is up earlier than me 100% of the time, so when he’s not in a rush (and I’m awake!), he brings me a double decaf espresso in bed. I love having my coffee whilst wrapped up in a blanket and sitting up against a couple of cushy pillows. And I appreciate that he thinks of me!
Natural wonders: I was fortunate to visit Sardinia and hike around Mont Blanc this summer. Being in nature, I stand in awe of her power and beauty.
Author Natalie Sue wrote one of my favourite books of the year, I Hope This Finds You Well. That first chapter? Chef’s kiss. The book is a scathing look at corporate culture, but also tender and full of heart. Something Natalie captures so well in her book also seems to have been a theme this past year, which is that almost everyone is going through something, even if it looks all good and glossy on the outside.
Revisiting old favourite movies: My daughter is now the right age to start appreciating the TV shows/movies I watched growing up. Currently, we’re watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch, but we’ve also watched Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Mrs. Doubtfire, Home Alone etc. (Also reading Anne of Green Gables). Seeing someone experience these things for the first time is so fun and feels really special.
Backyard chickens: I was resistant when my husband pitched the idea of hatching some chickens and building a coop in our backyard, but caring for chickens ended up being such a good time. They each have such goofy personalities. Every time I go to their space, I get a boost.
Nature walks: Walking in the woods has become vital for my mindset the past few years. It’s simple but truly something I crave. If I’m stuck writing, I tend to work out a lot on walks with some deep thinking. A lot of the time I’ll listen to a great audiobook (which has helped my TBR). One of my favourite parts is seeing the seasons change this way.
Never has a name of a newsletter appealed to me more. I always look forward to receiving Morning Person by Leslie Stephens in my inbox. In addition to writing the newsletter and studying for her Master’s, she’s also a debut author with her book, You’re Safe Here published earlier this year. Leslie’s written several posts this year that I’ve bookmarked and gone back to re-read, which is a rarity these days when we’re consuming content at breakneck speed.
Hot yoga, with regulars: There's a particular class I go to every week, with a teacher who is particularly good at reading the room and creating a flow based on the energy we're all bringing (sometimes it's hot and intense, other times it's relaxed and slow). Each week is different, and I've come to love running into the same small group of regulars—we all feel like we've stumbled on a secret.
My dog, Toast: I've always been obsessed with my dog, but reached a new level this year as he grew out of being a full-blown puppy into a young man (he just turned four!). We've been through a lot together, but there's a new level of mutual understanding. No place brings me more joy than on the couch with him, nestling into my side as I read a book.
Rice and ghee: Rice and ghee, with a ton of salt, may be my favorite food. It is so comforting, especially after the rainy hikes I take this time of year in Portland, Oregon. I often keep things simple with a veggie bowl, but my go-to when I don't feel like really cooking is adding kale sautéed with garlic and coconut milk plus chickpeas to the rice, and a heaping spoonful of ghee. (I usually buy my ghee from 4th and Heart, but would love to try my hand at making my own soon!)
I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bunmi Adeoye from my magazine editor days and she radiates pure joy! In addition to being the SVP at a top PR agency and the co-founder of the Code Black Communicator Network, I love how she’s found and really cultivated the things that bring her joy, like ballet dancing and singing in a choir.
Acknowledging happiness: It’s been a joyous year for me. There have been many moments that I’ve said out loud to myself or to whoever happens to be in the room with me, “Just for the record: I’m happy!” I feel delightfully breathless when I say it. This is one of my small joys: To be in just a regular-degular situation and know happiness.
Seeing beautiful art where I see myself: The exhibition was called, “Proper Love” by Amoako Boafo. It was an unplanned and unexpected visit. It was powerful to see joyous Black people feature in large-scale alongside (purported?) greats like Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. I stood in the middle of the room in awe. If I was a crier, I would have had tears of happiness dripping down my face.
My choir, Inkloosiv Voices: It has brought me so many small joys. It gave me community, new friendships, emotional release, and returned love of singing and performing. There hasn’t been a single encounter that I’ve with this group that hasn’t uplifted and healed me. 🩷
Why not tell someone they look good today? The simple power of complimenting a stranger.
How to host an at-home café instead of a dinner party.
Samin Nosrat and Hrishikesh Hirway dropped a new episode of the Home Cooking podcast!
I love a good list! Bon Appetit compiled the 31 best Trader Joe’s foods of 2024.
Instead of banking your rest for vacations and breaks, how to make downtime a part of your everyday life.
The joy of collecting trinkets and knickknacks.
Want to catch up on past newsletters? Here are a few favourites from this year.
In praise of taking a restcation: on taking time off, organizing bookshelves and baking loaf cakes.
Making space for magic: on gardening, children's books and the joy of watching the movie, Ever After.
Sentimental souvenirs: on fridge magnets and a Q&A with author Alina Khawaja. 📚
Smells like happy: on home office makeovers, happy smells and hot chocolate breaks.
French pharmacy products: plus, a book recommendation and a Lego flower shop.