What Gives Us Joy

What gives us joy?

Obviously life changing events sometimes do. But I don’t mean those. I mean the little things that make your heart glad.

Everyday things that warm the cockles of your heart.

We all need these little things that bring us joy in the everyday. They remind us of why we do what we do and offer us a glimmer of sunshine on the greyest of days.

Here is a list of some of the things that give me joy.

An Undisturbed Cup of Tea in the Early Morning

I have to get up very early for this and I cannot be sure of getting it! It is an unfortunate side effect of having young children. When I do manage it, a whole cup of tea, while it is still hot, with nobody mithering for stuff or throwing a tantrum, it is bliss.

Wearing Clothes I Have Made Myself

For a crafty person who likes to sew, this goes without saying! I can walk down the street wearing something that fits me perfectly, in a colour and style that I like, knowing that the 24 other mummies I pass on the way will not be wearing the same as me.

Roads With Grass Growing Down the Middle

Perhaps it’s because I grew up in a city. I love how it makes a place feel remote ( even though not many places in the UK actually are all that remote). I also love it how nature starts to take over very quickly if it allowed to. My dad also likes roads that have grass growing down the middle.

Bunting

I love bunting. I have bunting in my house, hanging off the outside of my house, on my blog header, to hang off the Christmas tree… I love it!

When the House Martins Come Back After the Winter

There’s a nest on the front of our house, under the eaves. These birds come back every year. One year they were late and I was worried, but they made it back. The sound of the chicks chirruping in the nest, for me, is the sound of early summer.

Hills

Living as we do in the fens, it is very flat. Seeing a hill is rare occurrence. Our nearest hill is 4 m above sea level. It is little more than a bump. So I don’t see hills very often! When I do, these Bible verses from the Psalms always pop into my head:

I lift my eyes to the hills,
My help comes from there.
My help comes from the Lord
Who has made heaven and earth.

Rowan Trees

Like Quickbeam the Ent from Lord of the Rings.

Quickbeam is regarded by the other Ents as hasty because he takes less than two days to make a decision. He laughs at lots of stuff and whenever he sees a rowan tree, he lifts up his arms and sings.

I don’t lift up my arms and sing every time I see a rowan tree because that would be strange. I do like them though and just seeing those bright berries makes my heart glad.

Coming Home and Seeing a Wreath on the Door

It’s amazing the number of times I’ve managed to forget that I’ve made a wreath and hung it on the door. It’s a nice surprise when I get home to have something pretty hanging there to welcome me home.

Opening the Door and Smelling Dinner Cooking Away in the Slow Cooker.

I love this! Especially as it means I don’t have to cook because I’ve already done it. Yay!

Being Tucked Up At Home When the Weather Outside is Awful.

The wind is howling. The rain is lashing against the windows. The boys, the cat and I are in our cosy, albeit messy, house with the lamps on and the fire going. There’s nothing else like it.

What things give you joy?

If you are needing some assistance in finding joy in everyday things, I can recommend these books (affiliate links). I have read them and I love them! A puttery treat is a little thing you can do at home to make life nicer, then that little treat becomes a source of joy.
A Year of Puttery Treats

Scrumptious Treats For Vintage Housekeepers
More Scrumptious Treats For Vintage Housekeepers
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