Halloween came and went, and that means that… drumroll please… it’s the holidays! Yes, the holidays mark a time of stressing about finals and gifts and it being dark at 5pm, but they are also a wonderful time to reflect on all of the things great and small that we have to be grateful for. Here are a handful of things that bring me joy that I want to take an extra moment to recognize.
1. The beautiful, leafy streets of Davis, especially in the morning, and especially in Autumn.
Anyone from the east coast would probably contest this, but I would be so bold to say that the prettiest Autumn in the world is in Davis, California. The lacey pattern of the shadows of the leaves of the sycamore trees on pavement, golden morning light on a nine a.m. bike ride to class, a bluebird sky on a crisp day. I fall more and more in love with Davis each day.
2. Finding the time to be creative.
There’s nothing better than being able to collage or doodle or decorate my bedroom walls without a time constraint or clear objective. It’s so lovely to just be able to create art without any restrictions or stress; just creating for the sake of creating and tapping into your subconscious a little bit. Creating is so relaxing and gratifying.
Image Credit: Andy art
3. Rex Orange County’s new album, Pony. Or anytime when one of your favorite artists releases new music.
Pony is still in Rex’s signature jazzy, slightly solemn, indie pop style, but the album as a whole is more upbeat and it feels like he is developing as an artist. Rex’s music can tend to sound the same, but I’m not bored by this album in the slightest. Another album I’ve had on repeat is King Princess’s debut album, Cheap Queen.
4. Moisturizing after washing your face (but really moisturizing).
I’m talking nose, neck, eyebrows, eyelids. Especially if its with something that smells nice and rosy. My skincare routine is one of my favorite parts of the day – it feels so lovley and it feels nice to be nice to myself.
5. Snacks from Trader Joe’s.
TJ’s has endless combinations of different ingredients, and endless different things to dip in chocolate, each with a quirky name and cute packaging. Not to mention that their salsa selection is killer.
6. Finally, I am grateful for gratitude.
As I’m writing this, I might cry because of how happy it makes me to recall all of these little things that fill the nooks and crannies of my life with joy. Looking around and acknowledging all of the things that make us happy is one of the greatest joys possible in life; it’s a joy to be joyous. I am grateful to the holidays for giving me an occasion to be grateful (not that you need one), grateful to be in college and in HerCampus to give me a platform to share this gratitude, grateful for my health and happiness that I am well enough to even consider all of these minute things that bring me joy.