I like to always encourage people to enjoy the little things in life. The small, passing moments are what make up most of your life in the end, and I truly believe that appreciating them is the key to happiness. Whenever you guys tell me that one of my videos has led you to notice little moments of beauty and happiness in your lives, it honestly feels like the biggest compliment. If I can make just one person feel like that I feel like I’ve fulfilled a great purpose. Every now and then I like to write these posts about ten things that make me happy right now, to remind myself to take a moment and appreciate what I have. It’s been a while since I last wrote one and as January, which wasn’t my best month, is over now I thought now would be a great time to re-visit my list.
Happy ratties
You guys have no idea how much joy the rats bring me when they’re happy and healthy. I feel like I’m finally in a place with them where all their needs are always catered to, and I can enjoy their company without feeling like my life revolves just around them. All four boys are super happy in the giant new cage we got them a few weeks back, and it’s so wonderful looking at them having a great time in there. Playtime on the sofa is lots of fun as well as the little ones are super playful and always challenging the grandpa’s to keep up with them :)
Cycling Everywhere
Hands down the biggest upside to moving to Amsterdam has been that I’m now able to cycle everywhere I need to be. All the places I visit frequently, as well as the center of Amsterdam are easily accessible by bike which saves a lot of time and money. I have found a few routes to my most-visited places that I really like cycling down, so the rides are enjoyable too (if the weather gods cooperate, that is :) )
Seeing Robbert Every Day
A rather obvious point, but the main reason I did end up moving here. Living with Robbert! Waking up with him by my side every morning has been every bit as wonderful as I hoped it would be, and the moment I hear his keys rattling at the front door is one I look forward to every day. It seems we haven’t grown tired of each other just yet, haha :)
The Sun Coming Out
At the moment, nothing puts a smile on my face quite like a ray of sunshine coming through my window. January has been a very dark and dreary month, so I’m really happy to get more and brighter hours of daylight. The clouds have cleared as well over the past couple of days, which makes going for walks that much more enjoyable. I just love the sun, haha!
De Vegetarische Slager Petit Pate
Now for something completely different: there’s a Dutch brand called De Vegetarische Slager (The Vegetarian Butcher) which makes awesome mock meats. A while back I discovered their vegan pâté, and now it’s pretty much all I can think about, haha! I used to love pâté back when I ate meat, but as it’s made mostly of pig organs over here it’s one of the first things I gave up in my journey towards veganism, meaning I haven’t eaten it in years. This vegan version tastes JUST like the real thing to me (perhaps because I haven’t tasted it in so long), but there are no animals involved in the production process which makes eating it that much more enjoyable. I try not to buy it too often as it’s not the healthiest food out there, but whenever I do have it, it’s that perfect “eyes closed” hmmmmm moment. Love it.
Wild Flowers
Even though winter has been dark so far, temperatures have been quite mild which means there are already some wild flowers popping up here and there. I noticed the first ones on a walk in the park a few days back and it made me so happy! I can’t wait for spring to come around. You guys know I love autumn but I think spring is slowly but surely becoming my favourite season.
Checked Off To-Do Lists
Oh, checked off to-do lists. Nothing makes me feel quite as accomplished at the end of the week as seeing a full page of ticked boxes, and knowing I’ve done well. I always like to take a moment, look at everything I’ve done, and feel that little bit of pride after a week of good work.
Vegan Ben & Jerry’s
It’s been a long time coming, but now it’s finally here: vegan Ben & Jerry’s ice cream came to the Netherlands! I adore Ben & Jerry’s ice cream but obviously I rarely ever have it anymore, so I’m over the moon with this launch. They veganised the chocolate fudge brownie flavour which is one of my favourites, and it tastes amazing with the almond milk base. Now I’m just waiting for them to bring out my all time favourie: cookie dough :)
Candles
One of my favourite things to do at night is closing the curtains and lighting candles all around the house. It makes for such a cosy, warm atmosphere! Especially when it’s raining outside: candle flames are just perfect against the sound of raindrops beating on the windows. I have gathered quite an extensive collection of scented candles over the years so alongside all the tea lights, I greatly enjoy picking out a fragrance every night.
A Clean & Organised Home
Cleaning is one of the most rewarding tasks, in my opinion. It’s not always fun to do, even though I rather enjoy the repetitiveness and simplicity of it from time to time. The feeling you get afterward is absolutely worth it though. Looking around you and seeing how beautiful your own little home looks, all sparkly and in order, gives such a wonderful feeling. That moment when the cleaning is all done and you get to enjoy the fruits of your labour is one of my favourites.
What are some little things that make you happy right now?
Wow im really happy for you !! Its great to feel happy and positive. The second semester in my university has just started and I wanted to have a really relaxing happy and positive semester. Because i really had a bad and full of runing here and there semester. So i decided to do the opposite haha. I stopped runing here and there. I stopped getting bothered about the long road and annoying people in the bus. I stopped fighting with my boyfriend over stupid stuff. Its been hard to get along with all that without getting tierd but I m trying to do my best to achieve them. I paced my self on a system where i can be happy of small things. Like having time for my self in my room. Watching my favorite tv series. Reading books and focusing on my future career. Surround my self with positive people (although they dont exist in real life haha but im watching positive bloggers). And I hope i do the best more and more :).
All the little things you mentioned are great! I love vegan meat and cheese too! And, although I used to only like autumn and winter (darkness, cold, rain, hot beverages, tea, fuzzy sweaters), I’ve started to love and appreciate all seasons! They are all magical.
Little things that make me happy are; working out and watching a film or a part of a film before sleep. Another one; I used to be a very indecisive person and struggle with making decisions. But somehow my mindset shifted, so now I enjoy the fact that through all those little everyday decisions and choices I have the power to shape my days (aka life) as I want to.
I’m happy you are feeling better, after what had to have been a 78 day long January 🤪 One thing that is making me happy lately is my bullet journal! I am very new to it (started mid-January), but it is very fun! I have always liked the idea of keeping a planner, but I’m not type A enough to keep using it after the initial first week or two. But the bullet journal idea plays to my type B, creative side, since I’m the one designing it and making it exactly what I want and need (and nothing more). Plus it is a fun excuse to buy new pens, markers, and stickers, which also helps keep me motivated to keep using it.