The little things worth living for

"You may believe that living life to the fullest is seeing every country in the world and quitting your job on a whim and falling recklessly in love, but it's really just knowing how to be where your feet are. It's learning how to take care of yourself, how to make a home within your own skin. It's learning how to build a simple life you are proud of. A life most fully lived is not always composed of the things that will rock you awake, but those that slowly assure you it's okay to slow down. That you don't always have to prove yourself. That you don't need to fight forever, or constantly want more. That it's okay for things to just be as they are. Little by little, you will begin to see that life can only grow outward in proportion to how stable it is inward -- that if the joy is not in the little things first, the big things won't fully find us." - Brianna Wiest

My mom sent me that quote yesterday and it was just what I needed to see. I really struggle with deep thoughts sometimes. I think many of us question certain things about life all the time and yet we are too afraid to admit it.

That is when quotes like the one above really help me. It helps to ground me in the idea that life is truly about the little things. There is always something that we can be grateful about no matter how small. I am going to write about the little things in my life that are worth getting excited about!

Some of the simple joys in my little world that are worth living for:

1. My coffee in the morning. There is genuinely no better feeling than waking up and making myself a cup of coffee. It gets me out of bed in the morning, it gets me excited to start my day! No black coffee bullshit -- coffee with creamer and sugar and love!!!!!

2. My dog getting so uncontrollably excited when anyone of his humans come home.

3. Taking self care nights. I have learn that I am an extroverted introvert and time alone is necessary for me to be my best self. My ideal night looks like having a yummy and nourishing dinner, taking an everything shower, doing my skincare, having a sweet treat while watching my favorite show or reading a good book and going to bed early.

4. Sitting on the beach around 5pm with my family after a long day in the sun, listening to music, surfing, and having good conversation.

5. Taking a nap in the late afternoon, waking up a few hours later and having a little snack.

6. Going for a run and not worrying about how long it takes or how far you go. Just moving your body because it feels good and frees your mind!!!

7. Burning candles.

8. Going out to dinner after 5pm mass with my family on Sunday nights.

9. Ice cream and froyo trips, self explanatory.

10. Sunrises and sunsets.

11. Long walks and meaningful conversation with a friend.

12. Listening to a podcast you are so excited about.

13. Being so unapologetically passionate about whatever the heck you want to be passionate about.

14. Complementing random strangers.

15. Reuniting with your long distance people!!!

16. Biking around my little beach town.

17. LOVE!!!!!! OH TO LOVE AND BE LOVED!!!!

18. My faith and believing in a higher being.

19. Laughing so hard you start crying or maybe tinkle hahahah

20. Sleeping in on a cold and snowy day and being able to stay in your warm cozy bed.

21. Sleeping in freshly washed sheets.

22. Freshly baked sourdough.

23. Blasting your fav song over and over again on a long drive.

24. Random gratitude text from someone you love.

25. Feeling confident in your own skin.

26. Inside jokes

27. Waking up early and doing your morning routine in the beauty of a quiet world.

28. Cuddles :)

29. A SUMMER TANNNNNN and cute lil sun freckles

30. Never ending conversation

31. Just waking up in a wonderful happy mood for no reason.

32. When the most perfect parking spot opens up.

33. Satisfying your food cravings.

34. Wearing new clothes you just bought.

35. The feeling after moving your body.

36. Sleeping in your own bed after a long vacation or being away at school.

37. When someone notices something you have been working really hard on.

38. Cereal.

39. When you see your food coming in a restaurant.

40. Spending quality time with the people who mean the most to you.

41. Loving what I study and being so excited about what I want to do in life.

42. The feeling after a really good therapy session.

43. The sound of the ocean.

44. Listening to my grandparents tell me their stories.

45. Relating to someone about something that you had no idea other people experience.

46. Working really hard and doing the right thing.

47. When both the starbursts are pink.

48. A new oversized cozy sweatshirt.

49. Take out on the couch.

50. Handwritten notes.

I could go on and on, and sometimes I need to remind myself that. It can be so easy, especially in our society to get so caught up in the negative, what we don't have, or someone else's life that we wish we could imitate.

But at the end of the day, your own unique life is what matters that most. Do what you love, simplify, and show up as who you are each day.

It's okay to not know or to feel a little lost. All we can do is show up each day with an open mind and heart and live life for ourselves and no one else. If you really think about it, life truly is all about the simple joys.

XO,

Mo