Bitesize Wonders 93: The Gratitude Journal
January felt like a hundred days. It lingered and dragged on like a play that never seemed to end. Thankfully and finally, we’ve finished that act and are now warmed up and ready to take on the rest of the year. In that vein, February appears to be moving at the speed of light already, or is it just me…? Anyways, hello there!
As I’m sure many of you did, I spent the first month of the year making strategic improvements that I hope will elevate my 2025 to new heights.
I did my best to actually stick to my goals and take each day as it came to me. Truthfully, there were moments I found myself falling behind, but whenever I did, I did my best to pick myself back up. More and more, I’m learning that that’s what life is all about: knowing how to fall and, more importantly, how to get back up.
Each time I fell, I held onto the little big things that keep me sane – the Bitesize Wonders hidden in the simplicity of mundane life.
When my days get hard, I like searching for little pockets of sunshine hidden in grey days. It often won’t fix everything, but shifting focus towards the things that uplift me has been such a beneficial practice. Now, let me share some things I’ve been grateful for in the past few weeks. This is a glimpse into my gratitude journal, or as I like to call it, my list of Bitesize Wonders:
- Setting off for a mini-day trip to the centre of Manchester. Since I moved a few months back to a more rural area away from the city, it felt good to embark on a day’s journey back. Crowds of people fast-walking at the same pace towards different places. Familiar corners and streets. Large billboards and packed buses. I missed that constant chatter of a city that’s always alive.
- Opening up my journal as the first thing I do in the morning. Despite it not always being possible, journaling is a sure way to start the day right.
- The feeling of togetherness after putting on makeup for the first time in a long time. This told me that maybe I really need to find more reasons to get out of the house (lol).
- Sunshine on a chilly February morning. It left its mark on my walls and danced around the room until it was time to set someone else’s room alight. I appreciate the rare sunshine so much in these dreadfully cold winter months.
- Saying yes to ice cream from the frozen aisle during the grocery run. A worthwhile decision.
- A new book that leaves me intrigued to pick it back up. I’m reading Sula by Toni Morrison, and you can bet I’m looking forward to telling you all about it.
- Making homemade steak in the kitchen for the first time. It required checking in with a few internet chefs more times than I care to admit. The final result? A generous 8 out of 10 – you’ll just have to take my word for it!
- A night out with my mum and sister. Being able to take my mum out as a grown-up is a wholesome feeling that brings me so much joy. A side-effect of adulting I don’t dislike.
- The prescheduled video call with THE long-distance best friend catching up on the latest and filling in the gaps created by distance. Hours I happily give away to her.
- Braving the cold to enjoy an evening walk in the neighbourhood. A podcast episode in my ear and less worry on my mind as I pass through each empty street. I keep my eyes on the moon, hoping it will guide me back home.
Your restless romantic roamer
Do you keep a gratitude journal? What are your current Bitesize Wonders lately?