Things that bring me joy

Many little things bring me joy.

As you likely know if you read this, I collect alligator tchotchkes. Most of them live at my desk at work where I need something happy to look at from time to time. They bring me joy, no matter how small (and some are about half the size of my smaller thumb).

I have houseplants that make my apartment so much more homey to me. Yes, I am imperfect at caring for them, but they do still bring me joy. I also love propagating them and spreading them out into the world.

Writing sometimes brings me joy, but it at least usually stimulates my brain in some way. I love keeping up this blog even if I struggle with it at times. I also find joy in being a pen pal (seriously, let me know if you want mail). There is something delightful about sending a little bit of happiness into the world and receiving some in return in the form of a physical but small object, crafted with heart.

Yet, I've closed the door on some things that bring me joy. However, I remember reading once that the things you love will wait for you to pick them up again and they won't hold it against you.

So I'm trying to take some of those things up again. I bought some more Funko Pop Vinyls (Anthony and Kate from Bridgerton) and started posting on my blog for them again (it'd been literal years). I also got back into tumblr and have found some great ides of March content (as well as alligator content). 

I have also been collecting rocks again to paint and spread throughout the neighborhood, but I think I've used up most of the free rocks so I might have to buy some, but that feels weird. Maybe I just need to take new routes while walking (my therapist says that's good for my brain anyways).

I want to try and get back into cooking but I feel much more of a barrier there. I'm not sure exactly why this is. Some of the barrier is certainly practical. I used to have a dishwasher and now I don't. Some of it is after work I often just want to relax, but I used to like cooking. I wonder how much it being an activity I would do with my dad adds to this barrier I feel to doing it. Some of it might also be the shame I feel around eating. Perhaps I should talk more with my therapist about doing it.

Some day, I hope I can find more things that spark joy for me. It's difficult for me to tell sometimes when something sparks joy so it's nice to have small things like figurines, plants, this blog, and letters. When I'm feeling down, I'll try to come back to this post to remind myself that there are things in this world that make me smile.

I would love to know what sparks joy for you. Have you let any of them lapse? What would it take for you to get back into them or was it better for you that you let them go? 

(Prompt by me)