Open-hearted joys 開開心心 № 25

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

May 09, 2025

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, my loves!

This week, I found my old favourite pair of jeans tucked in the back of my wardrobe. They haven’t been there long – I only got a wardrobe at the end of March! – but I’d forgotten them nonetheless. Perhaps my style has been changing, perhaps I haven’t been into waistbands. But it felt like coming home to slip into them and lap up their perfect fit, made possible through over 10 years of wear, sculpting the cotton to my form. Really, these jeans know me better than, well, a lot of people! They bear witness to those after-dinner undoing-the-top-button moments. They have taken me to first dates, last dates, lunch with best friends, holidays to far-flung destinations. Wearing my old favourite jeans was one of the biggest joys of the week.

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. A renewed devotion to 10,000 steps and fresh air, daily. When work gets busy, it has always been tempting to me to stay indoors during my lunch breaks in the hopes of squeezing in an hour’s work. But, movement and fresh air are far more conducive to a productive afternoon and I feel much lighter for it. Plus, I’m on a mini post-COVID health kick at the moment. Dang, it really knocked me for six.

二. The fresh pyjamas, new book and just-lit candle trifecta.

三. Finally finishing my desk setup. It might’ve taken me a few months, but it was all worth the wait to have a cosy, ergonomic workspace to work from home at, as well as to indulge in my cosy hobbies, like gaming, writing, journalling and crafting. I feel really, really grateful to have a space like this!

四. Visiting the ducklings and cygnets at the lake! I truly can’t cope with how dinky and cute they are – nature is something unbelievably special.

五. Remembering how nice it is to go out without a coat or jacket. It’s always a wonder in England, after lengthy winters, that we can just step out without layering up (and up).

六. Shimmering last light. My library room gets the prettiest light as the sun sets, casting a magical glow through wind-lorn trees. Wouldn’t you agree?

七. The feeling of a just-washed car. She’s a put-together woman with a clean car and the world at her feet, people! Also, why is the rain in England dirty? Why does all the tree sap magically stick to my car? Is it because it’s, ho ho, a Nissan Leaf?

八. A late afternoon solo wander to the lakes to be met with a new family of the sweetest, smallest, fluffiest ducklings!

九. How lovely green and blue look together, just swaying up there in the sky.

十. When it all just clicks. It feels like all of those ‘waiting room’ years have finally worked out and everything I was working towards is coming together. I get to live with my boyfriend, our house feels like a warm and cosy sanctuary, I get to spend plenty of meaningful time with my family and best friends, my novel is in full flow, I really love what we’re doing here on Substack, I’ve got a back pocket full of excellent mid-week recipes, and my everyday just feels right. I even baked a tomato and basil focaccia on Bank Holiday Monday, using me-grown tomatoes and basil! I love my little life so much.

Share a joy from your week in the comments, and I’ll see you again in a few Fridays – I’m away for a fortnight!