A Joyful Week #1

This week's thoughts, recommendations and general ramblings 👀

Hello hello, this week I’ve been thinking about how much the term joy has changed for me. What used to fill me with joy (all the plans, busy places) has been replaced for a much slower pace. Is this thirty? Or have we all just changed our ways after the effects of burning out?

Either way, the last week, was joyful, but partly very, very busy (for me). Luckily the weekend swooped in and allowed me to indulge in some much needed downtime.

The doing:

Last October I decided that I wanted to grow my own flowers to cut after reading an article on the impact of supermarket flowers. Armed with 70 bulbs of all sorts, and a rough plan of my flower bed (scribbled on the back of an unopened letter no less) I headed out into the drizzle and planted, for hours.

Finally, my labour has paid off and I’ve been happily cutting my own bunches of flowers for the past week or so. So far I’ve had hyacinths, daffodils and anemones. The tulips are just on the verge of popping open also!

Anyway, I feel quite proud to have put time and effort into something that doesn’t have instant pay off. We live in such a fast-paced world, so it feels good to have done something that simply slowed the pace right down.

The Reading:

The first quarter of this year I was on fire with reading, really blasting through my book pile. At the beginning of the year I decided that I wouldn’t buy any new books until I had read the unread ones on my shelf, I have mostly stuck to this bar two which I couldn’t resist.

Anyway, I digress, things have been much slower so far this month, but I’m finally making time to read again. Recently one of my favourite authors, Katherine May released her latest book, Enchantment. The read is all about reconnecting with the natural world and finding a better pace of living.

What I particularly love about Katherine’s writing is that this isn’t a self-help book, there’s no magic guidance, it is just simply notes on the discoveries she’s made along the way. It’s been a particularly soothing read, and has definitely resonated with my post-pandemic self.

Also, as we’re here, I cannot recommend Katherine’s Substack enough.

The Listening:

So the last week I had either been listening to Boy Genius Record on repeat (I am so, so obsessed) or my favourite bitesized podcast Fiercely Freelance.

With podcasts, I do very much need to broaden my horizons a little, but I tend to lean towards listening to business focused ones. I find the concept of listening to a podcast a little challenging at times, so if I can feel like I’m learning something to better my business - it’s a good way for me to get into it.

Ceels’ shares some really great insight into the world of freelancing, tackling everything from burnout to mindset. Being self-employed can feel a little like you are in your own bubble a lot of the time, so it’s like having a pocket mentor you can press play on!

The (Window) Shopping:

I must say I haven’t really bought anything to note so far this month (asides from two cracking Vinted finds) however, I am currently eyeing up a pair of Adidas Gazelles. I feel like I have seen them absolutely everywhere recently, and the do seem like the perfect way to break up my on-going relationship with solely white trainers.

I’m tempted by the orangey-red coloured ones, who knows maybe a spring treat once the rainy weather we’re due is out of the way.

Until next week, have a joyful one 👋 Allie x