Things bringing me joy lately

I have been leaning into the things that used to bring me joy as a child, as a young adult… before the world happened.

Before capitalism and entrepreneurship took its toll on me.

I have been intentionally working on bringing joy back into my life because, as they say;

“Joy has a habit of returning.”

One of my missions this year is to decenter my business and really lean into who I am outside of my career. In this blog, I share the things that have been bringing me joy.

Exploring new cafes

I have always loved a good cafe. Sitting there, having my coffee, people watching or typing away on my laptop. Cafes used to be my playground when I was a freelancer because they had better internet, I could meet my clients there and being around people was a form of body doubling.

So I have started enjoying cafes again. Getting away from my home and studio, getting some fresh air, being around people. Just being somewhere else.

Watching movies

I realised I don’t really enjoy movies anymore. They feel predictable, rushed… but they didn’t always feel like that.

So I started rewatching old movies. One of my favourite movies is The Intern with Anne Hathaway.

And now I also try to go see movies in the cinema, to make a bigger deal about movies and just connect to that medium of creativity again.

Home workouts with my nephew

He’s gone back to his Dad’s now, but when he was spending time with us, I roped him into doing my home workouts with me and somehow he got into it more than I thought he would.

He picks the hardest workouts. He keeps me consistent because whenever I would try to talk us out of a workout that day, he would put me straight lol.

I enjoyed all our workouts and just spending time together. It became our thing.

Making stuff with my partner

Let me tell you, I have a long list of things I would like to DIY, but I’m not that great at DIY because I’m impatient. My partner is, though, so it works out.

I come up with the ideas and he makes them.

So I have been enjoying ticking things off that list. The most recent thing we (he) made was planters out of pallets for our backyard and garden.

Spending intentional time with my little family

I have been determined to outgrow our trauma and live the life we get to live now. That has meant seeing our little family for what it is and trying to make the most of it.

Spending intentional time together instead of just because we live in the same house. Doing activities and, soon, travelling together.

It’s been special.

Writing

I’m so glad blogs are having a comeback.

I wanted to join the Substack wagon. I did sign up and everything, but eventually thought, why wouldn’t I just write my thoughts on my own blog and own the platform?

So I created this blog to get back into one of my favourite outlets: writing.

And I have been enjoying it so far.

I want to be more consistent, but I’ll figure that out.

Getting facials

On the mission to be the best version of myself, physically and mentally, and that has included taking care of my skin.

Facials are both relaxing but oh, are they so useful. The glow my skin gets, how it feels and just the overall benefits.

I would like to be more consistent with them, though.

Planning trips

Anyone who knows me knows I love to be home. I love coming home, staying home, being home.

But I also love travel to some degree. The idea of being somewhere else for a change of scenery.

But the admin of travel? I have always not liked that.

I can’t wait for when we can teleport.

I also HATE airports. Wow. So overstimulating.

Anyway, I have been getting over my fear of travel, so I have been planning mini trips with my partner and have so far enjoyed finding the Airbnbs, planning things to do and just being away.

Going to things

Yes, I have been going to events. Interested in things again. Going to exhibitions. I went to a concert. I even went to a yoga event.

Getting out of my shell and experiencing things again has done good things for my wellbeing.

Creating content

After COVID, I was feeling very weird about being perceived on the internet. I wasn’t enjoying content anymore.

Also, there was some shift on the internet in the way that it just doesn’t feel the same. It wasn’t fun anymore.

But this year, something took a turn in the sense that there’s a force of people trying to make the internet fun again, and I think I have joined that bandwagon.

I decided how I wanted to show up online. Basically, I revisited what I enjoyed about social media in the first place.

So I have been sharing my outfits again, creating content about the things I love, vlogging my days.

It’s been so much fun.

I want to do more of that.

Either way, 2026 has been good.

It has felt like coming back to myself.

I really want to cement the things I enjoy and remind myself to keep doing them. That is why I am writing this blog.

To remind myself that each time I am going through something, or not loving life, I should come back to this list and do these things.

Maybe that’s what this season of my life is about.

Not finding some grand new purpose, but remembering the little things that make me feel like me.