If you guys have been following me for the past few months, you will know I have this phrase I pretty much say daily… it’s the little things. Since I lost my mom last year to stage four cancer, it’s been something that’s always on my mind. Focusing my energy, mind and time into the small things that matter.

In high school when I took French class, we read The Little Prince and talked about what our “le petit bonheur” was. For those who have no idea what that means, it essentially translates to little happiness. To me, a small joy. We did a project on what ours was and I said virgin piña coladas. They always reminded me of my family vacations growing up because I would get one at our hotel every night. Little happiness? Yes. Insignificant to the average person? Probably. Super significant to me? Absolutely.

Looking back on my life when my mom was around, I had so many little moments that built my life to what it was but I never looked at the little pieces of life, just the bigger picture. Beyond those virgin piña coladas.

I was by no means a pessimistic, angry person, but I got irritated at more people and more things, made judgements carelessly and was more unmotivated in a lot more areas of my life than I am now.

I’ve talked about it a lot on podcasts and when I meet new people but you learn to truly appreciate life in a different way when you lose something very significant to you. In my opinion, my perspective on life shifted entirely. I see things now with the mindset of if not now, then when? I think of how lucky I have it. When something goes wrong or I have a bad day, I have to remind myself of what others are going through that’s so much worse. When I think of the bad, I immediately remind myself of the good.

For all of the bad in the world and the negative energy that can come into our lives, there’s some form of good. I believe that what we want, we attract. If we manifest good energy, good people and good habits, they’ll come to us and most importantly, when we find that the good is hard to find, we have to look deeper into those little things that make us see the good in the world.

That’s why I had the idea a few weeks back to create a list on my phone of “the little things”. Those little moments in life where you are just beaming with happiness from the smallest thing. To someone else, it may seem extremely insignificant but to someone… to you… it’s more than just a little thing. It has the power to shift your entire mood, energy and outlook on the day, week or year.

My list is ever-growing and I think this is a blog post I will go back to countless times to add to, but if you guys have any you think should be included here… let me know. I love hearing the simple joys of other’s days because after all, who knows if they’re the same things that you find joy in. 

1.The perfect chorus in a song. Or the perfect drop in a song.

2. The feeling you have when you first hear a new song.

3. Meeting a new friend who you realize is your long lost twin.

4. When someone pushes the revolving door behind you so you don’t have to.

5. The solo seats on the brown line on the CTA (Chicago) train.

6. Seeing a street lined with palm trees in California.

7. That 60-70s temperature when you can wear a hoodie with shorts.

8. Going to a restaurant and realizing mid-way through the meal you have a giftcard there.

9. Finding a really good taco.

10. When you send a text to someone new and your chat bubble goes blue (meaning they have iMessage… meaning they have an iPhone)

11. Successfully “running” in third position for a whole entire song in SoulCycle.

12. Laying on your bed in a towel after a shower and not having to be anywhere/on a time crunch.

13. When you have credit on a delivery food app. #FreeFood #Delivered #GoodThings

14. Hearing everyone say “Om” in unison in a yoga class.

15. Taking a shower after being on a long flight/in the airport for far too long.

16. When you come back to your parked car in a parking lot and realize the car in front left so you can just drive through instead of reversing.

17. Closing your eyes at a concert and just paying attention to the sounds instead of what you see.

18. The view of a city from an airplane at night.

19. Oat milk lattes.

20. The feeling a song gives you that teleports you make to a certain time, place and person. So much so you swear the air around you feels the same way it did when you first heard that specifc song.

21. Surprise gifts and gestures.

22. When your friend finishes your sentence.

23. Essential oil diffusers.

24. The way water tastes after a workout.

25. Serendipity.

26. When you’re in a coffee shop that’s packed and there are no seats open.. and right as you order your drink someone gets up.

27. Sleeping with a fan on.

28. When your barista knows your name.

29. When your uber driver makes you laugh.

30. Waking up before the sun comes up.

31. The way trees look after it has just snowed.

32. Essentia water. If you know me, you know.

33. Giving up your seat on the train for someone who needs it.

34. When it’s completely silent outside when it’s snowing.

35. Cold Season Yogi Tea.

36. Cutting an avocado in half and having it be perfectly ripe.

37. The smell of cold air in the winter.

38. Peppermint halo from Saje Wellness.

39. Low battery mode on iPhones.

40. Cracking your knuckles.

41. Taking your contacts out right when you get home.

42. The way the light looks on hardwood floor.

43. Good therapy sessions.

44. C.C. Ferns coffee shop in Chicago.

45. Listening to music alone in your car.

46. Drinks over ice. Always over ice.

47. Writing in a journal and looking back on it months later.

48. Friends across the country.

49. Spirit jerseys.

50. Old school vans that literally look old. and worn out. and dirty. Yup.

51. Sweet potato fries from Bareburger.

52. FaceTiming with your family/friends out of state.

53. Waves by Kanye West. If you know me, you know.

54. Manicures from Color Camp in Los Angeles, CA. Or manicures that last THREE weeks.

55. When you ask your barista to make your coffee extra hot… and they get it.

56. Having an internal alarm clock and waking up early every morning.

57. Watching The Today Show in the morning before work.

58. The feeling when you hug someone knowing you won’t see them for a long time.

59. Holding direct eye contact with someone.

60. Riding podium for the first time in SoulCycle.

61. Showing up for a workout class you didn’t want to go to and having it be one of the best workouts you’ve done.

62. A menu at a restaurant that offers options for dietary preferences.

63. Shrimp tacos at Antique Taco in Wicker Park.

64. Attending workout classes for free.

65. Playing Spotify through my Chromecast.

66. Seeing a text from someone you like.

67. Teakwood and tobacco candles.

68. Walking through the Art Institute of Chicago (or any museum) listening to music while looking at the art.

69. A fresh bag of Siete Foods tortillas (or tortilla chips). Can you tell I love tacos?

70. Perfectly poached eggs.

71. Quotes from John Hughes’ movies.

72. Seeing old couples holding hands.

73. Having your roommate preheat the oven for you when you’re on your way home.

74. Instrumental music when you’re falling asleep. Favorite: Explosions in The Sky.

75. Downloading a Spotify playlist right before your WiFi goes out on an airplane.

76.  Laughing so hard that no sound comes out of your mouth and you’re crying.

77. Bad date stories.

78. Matching socks.

79. Seeing the sunrise on an airplane. Or at the train station.

80. Making long lists.

81. Receiving a compliment from a stranger on something that is NOT physical.

82. When your dog lets you rest your head on them like a pillow.

83. Putting your hair into the perfect ballet bun.

84. Your boss telling you you did a good job at work.

85. Putting away all of your dishes before having to leave your apartment/house.

86. The sound of birds in the morning during the summer or at the beach.

87. Women supporting other women.

88. Being recognized.

89. Small silverware.

90. People who impact your life for the better.

I hope you all enjoyed this post and could relate to one, many or all of these little things. All of our “little things” are different but when we realize what they are, they make our day that much better.

Happy Sunday!

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