‘To miss the joy is to miss all.”
-Robert Louis Stevenson
I have to admit, I got a little “stuck” at the end of December and beginning of January. It was hard for me to move on after the holidays, knowing that my son would be leaving to go back to school. After all the excitement, everyday life seemed kind of… blah.
I’m so glad I got past that! Yes, the holidays are over. All the decorations are gone, and my son is gone too. But instead of feeling empty, my life feels full. Here are a few things bringing me joy right now:
The weather.
I know… you hate me. It’s cold and gloomy up north . I know, because I lived in the midwest for a long time. But hear me out! In Florida, we really pay our dues for this kind of weather:
From May through October (and sometimes November) our heat index is above 100 every single day. It’s extremely humid, and the sun is so strong it feels like it’s trying to kill you. This year, it was very warm through December and I was starting to wonder if we would get any “winter” at all.
Not to worry! Our weather has been ideal- cool at night, pleasant during the day. If I can’t be happy in Florida in January, then I might as well give up and move to Canada. Luckily I’m appreciating our weather very, very much.
Trail running
I finally got out to my trail! Leading up to the holidays I was so busy, and then while my son was home there was always a reason why I needed (or wanted) to be home. But on Wednesday I dropped my daughter off at school and headed to the trail. I had the whole day ahead of me- no reason to hurry back home.
As you can see, there’s no shade on this trail… so a cool January day is the perfect day for a trail run.
Books! Books! More books!
Ah, I love books so, so much. Another way in which I was stuck recently was after re-reading all the Harry Potter books, I couldn’t seem to get myself to read another book. This went on for all of November and part of December. It was crazy!!! Finally I read Rosamunde Pilcher’s Winter Solstice and just finished I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh- what a book. It’s a page-turner and if you think you know what it’s about, you’re wrong. Enough said!
While I’m waiting for a couple library holds to come in, I’m reading Living With a Seal by Jesse Itzler. It’s the story of how Jesse had David Goggins come and live with him for a month to whip him into shape. And, I ordered and just received this book which I learned about from Nicole:
In the introduction, Agapi describes the book as “fifty-two light posts guiding you back to yourself- one for every week of the year.” Nicole read a chapter every week for 2021, and I plan to do the same for 2022. Except I just got the book today, so I’ll read a couple chapters a week until I’m caught up. Thanks, Nicole!
There are all sorts of other little things giving me joy these days- sitting in Starbucks with my tea, pulling the quilt over myself on a chilly morning at 5 am because I still have another hour to sleep, anticipating Friday night takeout (Chipotle has a new vegan chorizo!)…
What are some things giving you joy now?
26 Responses
I’m totally with you on embracing joy each day. While we’ve had a few “cold” days recently (by Florida standards), I’m taking it all in. All of my Midwest friends are shivering under temps that are a good 50F colder (and so will I, in another week #brrrr). Glad to hear you were reunited with your trail 😉
Yes, even on a “Florida-cold” day we’re still warmer than the rest of the country! Glad you’ve been able to enjoy it.
Joy is so important. We get caught up in all the negativity in the news and all the things we cannot do that we lose sight of it.
For me, being healthy enough to run… outdoors… every day (even in the cold).
We are not in lockdown. I can don my mask and go inside anywhere (if I choose).
Books – loving the library!!
This weekend I am going to NYC and will run a half marathon (cold and hilly but who cares?) and Starbucks on every corner.
Friends both those I see in real life and those who support me virtually.
Yes, I can tell you know how to enjoy life! You really keep yourself busy with fun activities and friends. Can’t wait to hear about the NYC weekend.
YES you got to have the I Let You Go experience!!!! This is exactly like back when I read The Double Bind and wrote that I had to talk about it but couldn’t say what it was about and you left a comment about not being able to say anything either. Keep us posted on Living with a Seal. I’ve been meaning to listen to the audiobook forever but just haven’t gotten to it yet.
Florida can have the pleasant weather with my blessing, just send it back up north in a few weeks;-) I have got to get a long weekend somewhere warm on the calendar for next month.
Yes, I wish I could write more about the book but of course I can’t. Living With a Seal is good so far!
Joy definitely can be a little hard to come by in the heart of Winter (up here). But it’s always there if you look hard enough. It’s sunny today! Ok, it might be too cold for a walk (for me), but just seeing the sun can be a gift up here. We don’t get it too much!
The longer days definitely give me a lot of joy! Yes, it’s still dark early but every day the sun sticks around a little longer.
The full moon. It almost always makes it more difficult for me to sleep, but it’s so dang beautiful in the morning (if the clouds don’t obscure it, I’m sure there’s a blog post in there somewhere, LOL!).
I’m glad you found your joy again, Jenny, and are reading again!
Sounds like you’re finding things that make you happy, even in the dead of winter. I’m sure a sunny day is a rare treat.
You know I’ve been working hard on joyfinding! I’m so glad you’re feeling better after the post Christmas slump; January can be such a tough time of year. And I’m also so glad your weather is nice.
As much as a loathe winter, I LOVE our summer/fall season here. I just need to start snowbirding and get the best of both worlds? Is 34 too young to be a snowbird? #Dreams
No, it’s not too young at all! Come down!!! In the summer and fall we’ll be reversed- i’ll be complaining about the weather and you’ll be loving it.
Glad to read you are feeling much more positive these days. You sure do have perfect running weather right now so enjoy it while it lasts. I am reading “the maid” kind of a quaint murder mystery who done it.
Ooh! I like “quaint” murder mysteries. I might have to look for that.
It’s very cold here, but what brings me joy is that on the coldest days, my dog has to wear a coat outside and she looks SO ADORABLE in it. I just think she’s the cutest and it makes these cold days so much more happy knowing I’ll get to see her strutting her stuff in her coat.
Ha ha, that is hilarious. What about little boots? Or I guess they’re more like slippers- I’ve seen those on dogs so their paws don’t get irritated (I think from the salt they put down, or maybe it’s just to keep them warm?) So cute.
Joy is very important. On these winter days both staying warm at home or going out for a run give me joy.
And more joy is spending time with my grandsons.
I have an “intrusive” cat too.
My kids are only 19 and 13, but I’m already longing for grandkids! I think it must be the ultimate joy.
Oh, I am so happy you got that book! I loved it so much and I hope you do too. It’s just so beautiful and full of meaning.
Your weather is gorgeous! That is prime outdoor weather, in my opinion. Even though it’s cold up here, I think it’s easier to dress for the cold than it is for Florida summers. I mean, you can only take off so many items of clothing!
Ha ha, that’s true… I guess eventually you can put on enough layers to keep warm. I think we all have to decide what we’re willing to sacrifice- for me, as hard as the summers are, I’ll take them over a freezing cold winter.
While you. were stuck a bit by the end of the year and beginning of the new I felt all. was rushed. Hence my absent on dropping in for so long. As you may remember the sunny weather is not my jam but I would love to see Florida one of those days. I will keep in mind that January and probably February would be more my kind of weather.
Also that books ” I let you go” is on my TBR and your words just pushed it up quite a bit. I am intrigued now and need a page turner. Thank you for putting it back on my radar.
Tobia!!!! My NaBloPoMo friend! Yes- if you ever come to Florida, come in January. It might be bearable for you! I’ve been thinking about you and will visit your blog- it’s been too long.
My son is the grumpiest child in the morning. The only way we get him to focus on putting on his uniform, eating a bite or two of breakfast, and getting into the car – is the promise of Harry Potter on audio! Haha!
That is a GREAT bribe!!! It would work for me.
One of my favorite sayings is “perspective changes everything”… and so focusing on finding joy in the everyday is such an important tool to change perspective! I am glad you’re finding joy and a way to get “unstuck’ after the holidays.
Yes, I always have a little trouble getting unstuck at the beginning of January- it’s a relief to be past that point!
I am wayyyy behind on blog reading (oof), so I’m just now getting to your post about January joy in FEBRUARY, but yassss to all of this! We really do pay our dues to enjoy some really nice weather January-April. I have so enjoyed this weather!
What’s bringing me joy right now? The Olympics, another cold front, and my new position at work!
Yes, I do that too- get way behind on blogs and then try to read them all at once. Luckily the weather is still great! And yes to the Olympics- I’m really enjoying it.