Category Archives: Small Joys

Small Joys: Volume 28

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

Whew. Our world has been pretty heavy lately. Typically when I sit down to write my latest list of Small Joys, I scroll through the camera roll on my phone for reminders of all the good things I’ve experienced recently. As I was scrolling through today, I was reminded of just how tough and sad life has been for so many lately. I saw reminders of things that are important to talk about and share, but that certainly aren’t joyful.

This list is intentionally a highlight reel; a way to recenter myself in gratitude. But please don’t read it and think that I feel flippantly or unconcerned about the many difficult things going on in our world or that my life is always perfect. It’s not!! This is just the good stuff. If you’re going through a tough time or feeling the heaviness of the world on your shoulders today, I hope that you too can find some small bits of joy. You are not alone.

All of the little things bringing me joy lately:

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Small Joys: Volume 27

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

At the end of a week that has been very heavy, I honestly wasn’t sure whether to post my regularly scheduled Small Joys. Is it okay to express positive emotions when so many people (including me) have been feeling the opposite of joyful; when multiple Black people have been murdered this week by people in positions of power; when so many are feeling traumatized and tired and angry?

As an empath who feels my own emotions and the emotions of others VERY DEEPLY, I have been learning over the years that it is healthy and right and good to feel the full spectrum of emotions, sometimes all at one time. That is life. And we are capable. We are capable of holding space for both grief and happiness, anger and contentment, death and life. So I do that today. I reflect on joy even in the midst of a time of great tragedy. It is more important than ever that we seek out good and refill our cups with the things that bring us joy so we can do the important work of dealing with the not good stuff too.

Here are the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. The Silent Patient. This novel by Alex Michaelides is my favorite book so far this year! It grabbed my attention, and I couldn’t put it down. Suspenseful and fast-paced! As a social worker, I really enjoyed all of the commentary on therapy and mental health.

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Small Joys: Volume 26

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

Wow. I did not expect to be writing my next Small Joys post to y’all in the midst of a pandemic! This has been a challenging season in a lot of ways, but one of the silver linings for me has been a renewed sense of gratitude. With all of the busy-ness and stress stripped away, I have had a chance to breathe and look around and notice all of the truly good things around me. Here are all of the little things bringing me joy lately:

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Small Joys: Volume 25

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

It seems fitting to publish my latest Small Joys post today on my birthday. Birthdays are always a great time for reflection, but especially this one. I am turning 30 and entering a new decade!

My 20s brought a lot of wonderful things like love, friendship, and personal and professional achievements. This was coupled with loss and illness and trauma. I acknowledge the entirety of my life experiences, good and bad, while intentionally choosing gratitude today as I catalog my latest list of little things bringing me joy!

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Small Joys: Volume 23

Small Joys: Cultivating gratitude for all the small things in life. | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. My sister’s wedding! My only sister got married last month, and I’m so happy for her and her new hubby! I actually didn’t take a single photo that day and am anxiously awaiting the professional photos!

2. Christmas cookies! I actually haven’t had a chance to bake any yet. But that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying some store bought gluten free goodies! Really loving Pamela’s Buttery Sugar Cookies and Mi-Del Gingerbread Men.

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Small Joys: Volume 22

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately (especially love doing this during a month where we take time to focus on thankfulness):

1. Our first foster dog! A couple of weeks ago we welcomed our first foster placement: An overweight yellow Labrador Retriever named Honey Bear. She is the sweetest dog, and we’ve been so lucky to have such an amazing first foster experience. We think she’ll be with her forever family very soon!

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Small Joys: Volume 21

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. My sister and BFF’s bachelorette party! I actually just got back from their joint bachelorette weekend in Wilmington. We had the best time! It was a much needed girls getaway with yoga, a spa night, cocktails, and beach time. So looking forward to their upcoming weddings!

2. Decorating. I was recently inspired to try to add some navy and indigo to our currently all-gray living room. They are some of my favorite colors! So far I’ve only added some blue books to our shelves, but I am already loving the new pop of color. Thrift stores books have made it inexpensive and eco-friendly! Next up on my list is a navy or indigo love seat (been keeping an eye out on Facebook Marketplace and at consignment stores) and navy/indigo throw pillows (I have my eye on these in Indigo from West Elm).

Gray, navy, and indigo home decor - Small Joys | Fairly Southern
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Small Joys: Volume 20

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. My first drag show. It was so much fun! I love seeing people being unapologetically themselves, and I think drag queens epitomize that. Dressing up in ways that are considered unconventional by society, and doing it proudly and publicly…I love it! Also, some of these ladies were so talented. Like, cartwheels-in-stilettos talented. Unreal.

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Small Joys: Volume 19

Small Joys | Fairly Southern

All the little things bringing me joy lately:

1. Surviving the creepy stalker van. I had to drive a big transit van for a work event the first weekend of June. It had a driver’s seat, a passenger seat, and then the entire back was gutted to hold equipment. The sides had no windows, and it definitely looked like a creepy van that someone would use to kidnap children. Also, it was HUGE. I felt like I was driving a bus…I had to reach down for the steering wheel, and it seemed like my feet could barely touch the gas and brake pedals. I drove it up and down several mountains and parked it in busy parking lots and NO ONE DIED. I consider this one of my greatest victories in life.

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