Open-hearted joys 開開心心 № 03

Capturing the tiny details of my everyday mundane and the moments that weave poetry to my days.

Sundaze Book Café is the home of everyday magic, joyful living and conversations likely to be had over a hot drink with a friend in your favourite café, capturing the syrup-slow feel and glow of a Sunday. I’m Michelle, and I’ll be your host today.

Happy Friday, friends!

During weeks where there’s sheets of rain, cloud-darkened skies and a cycle of bad news to contend with, it can feel tricky to see past the not-so-great. Something I’m always keen to reiterate is that although I keep this near-daily gratitude practice, there are not-as-great things in my life – in everybody’s lives – too. This is just a brilliant way of focusing on the good and radiating a positive energy.

There’s a lot to be said for appreciating the smaller, not necessarily finer, details of the everyday mundane. Here’s to another list of petite, open-hearted joys, the moments that’ve brought and woven poetry to my days, this week:

一. Almost-neon red leaves, tumbling to the ground. Magical, even when the rain is bucketing down. Perhaps magical because the rain is bucketing down, ruffling leaves, feathers and hair as it does. Autumn is such a feast for the senses and I’m surprised and delighted every single year.

二. The big packing situation, ahead of our family trip next week. We haven’t been back to Asia in five years and I’m so excited, even if packing for a fortnight feels like a, well, big packing situation.

三. Reading my first-ever Stephen King novel! I’m not a horror fan by any means – in fact, I’m the world’s biggest baby. But King’s writing craft is spoken about and praised so widely that it feels important to start making my way through his body of work. Quiet evenings reading The Shining with lo-fi Animal Crossing: New Horizons playlists have been so joyful.

四. Finding kindred spirits here on Substack.

五. Leaving drinks for a colleague. It’s the first time anybody’s left our team since April 2023 – a good sign, surely! – and it feels sad, surprising and happy all at once. I’m such a homebody, but it was fun to spend time together and officially get going with sober evenings out. (I rarely drink, but I think I’m going to commit now!)

六. On that note, I am loving my afternoon peppermint tea ritual. It’s helping with digestion and bloating, and even alleviating some of the symptoms of a weird health thing I’ve been trying to manage.

七. When you feel seen and heard.

八. Leaning into rest after falling ill over the weekend. I typically find it really hard to switch off, but naps and taking it easy helped me recover far quicker. Who’d have known?

九. The incredible roast my family and I tucked into on Sunday. We tried a new-to-us spot, and it didn’t disappoint!

十. Completing my Goodreads Reading Challenge of the year! I’ve smashed my goal of 60, and now I’m curious to see how many more I can squeeze in before 2024 is up.

Share a joy from your week in the comments, and I’ll see you again in a few Fridays.