Monday Night Inspiration: 10 Things I Love

A simple thing this Monday evening: reflecting on the things that I love. My sister has a running collection of posts on her blog called ‘10 Things I Love’ which has inspired me this evening. I’m also trying to see things through the lens of gratitude more often – sometimes it helps to be intentional and to focus on what we do have, rather than constantly seeking more.

1. Spotify. My husband got me into Spotify recently – I’m late to the party, but I’m really enjoying it. Especially the playlists connected to mood and ‘styles’ of music. The thing I really like about Spotify though is that it has musiXmatch which has the lyrics scrolling in time with the songs. Not every song has it, but many of them do, and it enhances the experience for me being able to enjoy music in this way. I’m expanding beyond what I’m used to, which is interesting.

2. Teapigs Chamomile Tea: I love Teapigs tea. I know it’s expensive, but tea is one of those things I’m willing to splash out on. This chamomile is the best I’ve ever had – it uses the whole flower so the taste is much deeper and definitely helps me to relax on the evenings when my mind refuses to switch off and goes around in circles.

3. Nectarines – I’ve been eating nectarines lately. My Dad used to buy them in the summer so they remind me of my childhood and of summer memories. I treated myself to pancakes with maple syrup and nectarines this morning – a definite cure for the Monday blues!

4. My Kindle. I’d be the first to say how much I love physical books, but the Kindle is also a lifesaver for me and I appreciate it when I’m travelling around London or when I can’t wait for a book and want to start reading it straight-away.

5. Meeting with friends for tea or coffee and cake – there have been a few meet ups like this recently and I’m enjoying getting to know a few people. I feel like I have found a tribe of people I can relate to and who aren’t judgemental. And tea, coffee and cake are always a good thing!

6. Planning my working life and discovering what works for me. I feel like I’m coming back to a place where I can be more focused and get down to what really matters – writing. I’m also thinking about and planning what sort of things I want in my life. Like I said in my last post, Pinterest is helping me with this.

7. Pocket – previously Read Me Later. Pocket has been a real lifesaver for me over the past month. When I haven’t had time to read something but have come across an article that I find interesting, I use Pocket to bookmark it for later. I like the reading environment of Pocket too, it’s minimalist and makes reading a pleasure. For me, it’s better than simply bookmarking – I have far too many bookmarks already. You can also read things offline in the app on iPhone and Android.

8. Beautiful, unexpected sunsets. When we were travelling back from my Gran’s in Cambridgeshire a couple of weeks ago, the sky was beautiful and we had to stop to take a few photos. Sunsets (and sunrises!) remind me of how wonderful it is to be alive, even if you’re having a bad day.

9. London. As much as I complain about the heat and the sweltering journeys on the tube, going into London in the summer can be exciting. There are all kinds of things happening – from food stalls and the Festival of Love at the Southbank centre, to the literature themed benches popping up around the city (courtesy of Books About Town), I’m reminded of why I love living a tube journey away from central.

10. Laughter. Big belly laughs, little giggles, snorts – it’s all good. Laughter heals everything and brings people together.

‘I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.’ – Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.