Things Making Me Happy in Quarantine

Let's close out the month by sharing something positive, shall we?! April, despite being spent entirely quarantined, was really not that bad. In fact, it was kind of nice at times... I have a lot to still be grateful for, and as I developed a routine for myself, I really began to realize that there are quite a few things that have been making me feel positive and content.

Morning Routine + Morning Walks
My new morning routine has changed quarantine for me. I mentioned it a bit in this post, but it's really been a game-changer. Every morning I wake up, make lemon water, read my Daily Stoic book, and then head out on a short walk before making coffee and breakfast and then listening to the Morning Toast while I get started on work. It's something I look forward to every night when I'm going to bed, and it makes me feel so happy, positive, and productive at the start of every day. It also kills a lot of time, which is really nice these days, not gonna lie haha.

Cooking + Intuitive Eating
I am not a pro chef, but I love getting creative and making myself whatever I am in the mood for during quarantine. I am trying to practice intuitive eating, and this is my favorite article on it if you're interested in learning more. I've known about it for about a year and have since tried to tend toward it, but I recently became a lot more intentional about it. I read this article when I bought a physical copy of Vogue (gasp! those still exist!) in March, and made it a goal to try to consciously incorporate it more into my life since then. Basically, it's about eating what you want, when you want. It's that simple, but it's not a free-for-all... in fact, it's surprising how much more control you feel when you are really listening to your body. If you're craving something healthy, eat your vegetables, and you'll enjoy them! If you're in the mood for dessert, have it! If you just honor your cravings and eat what your body wants, when it wants it, you will feel satisfied and content. It's really so simple! This has definitely been making me feel content lately and I'm into it.. I want to write an entire post about this soon.

(here's the link to the blog post I wrote on some recipes I've been making lately, including the banana bread if you're interested in doing a little feel-good baking!)

Playlists + Podcasts
I shared my favorite podcasts in Monday's blog post, which you can read here if you need some recommendations! I love listening to podcasts on my morning walks, and sometimes on my afternoon walks or while I'm cooking if I want a change of pace. If I'm in the mood for music, my chill quarantunes playlist or my slow summer vibes playlist have been my two favorites lately. They are so relaxing but full of songs that make me feel just so content and peaceful. Highly recommend!

Ranunculus
I bought myself flowers at Trader Joe's a few weeks ago and they made me so happy just sitting on my kitchen island in our apartment. It's the little things sometimes! I'll have to get more next time I head out. I think it's important to be extra kind to ourselves during this time, so that's a little way that I did that. I love ranunculus, and I'd kind of forgotten about them!

Song Videos on Instagram
Have you guys been noticing the song videos?! They are probably my new favorite thing to post on my Instagram Stories. I actually have added all of my favorites to a highlight, which you can watch here! I love taking a little video on my walks and adding a song I've been loving for background music. For some reason, I just find it so soothing and gratifying. (Confession: I usually watch them on repeat like 20 times after I post them.)


Sunsets
The sunsets in Madison are so beautiful because you can watch them right over the lake. There are a couple of spots I like to go to watch the sunset, but my favorite is the Union (which I miss hanging out at with my friends so much!). It's such a nice post-dinner way to get back outside, listen to music, and see a pretty sunset. That's kind of my new nightly routine... I love that the sunsets are so late now (almost at 8pm!) because I can go on an after-dinner walk, come home, get ready for bed, read, and then end off my day!

What has been making you happy lately?
xoxo

PS-- Someone I follow on Instagram has been taking Yale's class on happiness, The Science of Well-Being, and posted this quote on her IG story. I screenshotted it because I loved it so much, and want to share it here. The class is available online for free here, and I enrolled on Monday to see what it's all about! I am so excited.