little joys and little sorrows #8

nora ephron films, writing short stories again, finishing sally rooney's new book, waking up at 4 am for no reason, more shopping at indie bookshops + more

Hello lovely readers. I have noticed a few new faces around these quiet parts so I want to say a special welcome to all of you. I hope you’re comfortable and enjoy the posts that are to come.

Every month, I post a series called little joys and little sorrows where I reflect on the previous month and pick out some nice moments and not so nice moments to ensure I remain aware of the life that is happening around me. They were originally tied to my previous newsletter name, quiet reflections, but I’ve come to really enjoy this exercise so she’ll be staying for the foreseeable. Because how will we know how to continue leading quiet, slow lives if we don’t look back on what works and what doesn’t?

I hope you enjoy this month’s instalment and I look forward to reading your own little joys and little sorrows in the comments <3

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little joys

• Finishing a short story from start to finish for the first time in about six years!! I’ve always loved writing short form fiction and have been feeling so frustrated that I haven’t been able to get a story out despite having many ideas

• Not feeling the effects (so much) of S.A.D by welcoming the darkness as opportunities to decorate, find comfort and be cosy

• Getting back to a regular exercise routine and feeling so much better in my body (my Muji planner charts and trackers reflect this so much it hurts)

• Watching cosy Nora Ephron films as leaves fall outside my window

• Animal Crossing, that is all

• Finishing Sally Rooney’s new novel and loving being swept away with her unique, dense prose

• Reading slowly and not worrying about arbitrary reading goals

• Finding joy in taking pictures of my books and hobbies again without all the anxiety of Instagram that came with that before

• Completing Roxane Gay’s essay writing course and enjoying the process of finding my style of writing

• I haven’t been crazy anxious to go into the office for work lately

• Giving myself little challenges - recently trying to learn the skill of playing Animal Crossing/doing an activity whilst listening to a podcast (v envious of people who don’t need visual stimulation at all times)

little sorrows

• I keep falling asleep at 8 pm and waking up at 4:30 am and I’d like it to stop now

• Recognising that I’m giving Waterstones too much of my money and need to start shopping at more independent bookshops after watching You’ve Got Mail (1998)

• I’ve been on 5,000 house viewings and nothing is right

• Why can’t we all just do our jobs and leave? No socials, no outings, no Christmas parties pls let me go home

• Recognising that my diet has been slipping with a capital s which stops me from doing the things I want to do

Thank you for reading, I hope you all have a lovely week. I’ll see you next Wednesday <3