Finding Joy in the Every Day

Sometimes it seems like we’ve all had to become experts at finding the silver lining, the beauty, in the every day moments over the last year. Covid cases (and deaths) are rising at an unimaginable, heartbreaking rate, and I wake up almost every morning to a new alert about how much worse this pandemic has gotten, and potentially will get. And while that kind of news has become the “new normal”, is there anything really that normal about so many people getting sick? Even after a year?

All of that to say, I am holding on to the things that bring me joy in daily, seemingly ordinary moments of our life more than ever. Like last night, we went for a walk before dinner and the sun had just started to set and it was so cold outside, but the kids didn’t seem to mind- they were just happy to be out of the house and riding their scooters. And it felt unbelievably wonderful to get out of the house and outside of our minds for a minute and just breathe, and just be (which is one of our new words for 2021!).

It was a short walk, but it was everything I think we all needed it to be. Sis had her new buggy that she was using as a stroller for her baby doll that PJ wrapped up in a scarf to keep it warm for her (so cute), and the boys were zipping past us on their scooters with light up wheels that PJ’s mom got them for Christmas. And it was nice, and it was comforting, and it felt good.

We found ways to carve out our own happiness and take some time for ourselves last year during the madness and taking walks was one of those ways. We have really slowed down on doing them every day ever since the weather started changing, but it’s nothing a big coat and some warm boots can’t fix. I think we easily forget how important these walks are for our mental health, otherwise there’s no way we would ever slack on them. They almost instantly make me feel calmer, more relaxed. Do you know what I mean?

Some of our neighbors still have their Christmas lights up and it made for some nice ambiance on the way home last night. Sis shrieked with surprise when we walked past some wrapped around trees, as if this was her first time seeing them and they haven’t been up for the last 3 months.

Someone on Instagram responded to a story I did of sis walking with her stroller saying “she’s on a mission!”, and it made me laugh because she truly always is, and she makes us laugh all the time with her wit and determination. How did we get so lucky?

Here's to finding the joy in the every day! xo