Joie de Vivre

Feeling Aligned

I feel good, My body seems to sense the shift — an anticipation, a soft return of hope. This winter I made the intention of not letting my spirit die. I have slowly found a rhythm that works for me. Not a mastery of life, but learning to dance with it. It’s flow and rhythm. One step back, one bigger step forward. As the peak of winter slowly starts to make its way out, I find myself secure in knowing what makes me centered. Inside and out.

My life feels joyous when I incorporate small things in my day that I know will enhance my experiences.

Too much of Life, Clarice Lispector

As I begin to recognize what truly feels right to me, both inside and out. From eating a cookie once a day (I do) to reading a book once a month that changes my life.

I have been dwelling on doing more acts that improve not only my life, but the way I show up for others. I want to be good. As simple as that sounds.

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1.) Loving others through service

I recently volunteered for BloomAgainBklyn an organization that helps make flower arrangements that go towards residents from homeless survivors to senior centers. I love flowers and I want to get in the habit of doing more for my community. I highly recommend. The purpose it adds to my life when I do something out of pure selflessness. It reminds me that it was never meant to be all about me. That is so liberating.

2.) My daily dose of matcha

My saving grace always, I either make it at home or I will treat myself to going somewhere new. That small act feels like self-love to me.

I have an addiction

2.) Less quantity, more quality

When I first moved to the city I would buy everything I liked and quickly drained my savings… Slowly outgrowing that has taught me the value of cotton, cashmere, & silk. Less overspending and more selectively choosing what I want sitting in my closet. It feels good to slow down on mindless shopping and buy minimal clothes that I know I will use a lot.

Currently loving brands like Cou Cou intimates, vintage shopping jeans, basic black cashmere shirt from Intimissimi, My cashmere coat I wear 80% of the time from Dunst, & my nighties from Brandy Melville.

3.) Moving my body

This year I had the goal of starting yoga after some long procrastination… Thanks to my sister for pushing me to start. I did. I don’t go as often as I wish but i always feel so proud of myself when I go to any class. As silly as it sounds we forget to breathe, to fully inhale and exhale. I’m not looking to be no expert, but trying new activities this year has been very confidence boosting. Have a small dance party when i’m home alone! My favorite way to self-soothe.

Small acts that remind me of my existence and that I get to take up space. I want to live more in a state of presence and less in my head.

4.) Watch a beautiful movie

A Summer’s Tale (1996)

No better way to lift my spirits than either going to the cinema with a friend or indulging at home to a good film. Here are some movies I consider pleasing to watch. Enjoy!

5.) My morning journal

The first thing I do every morning when I get up is write down my thoughts. That makes me feel like I always have a structure to my mornings and it feels productive. Whether I’m on a trip somewhere new out of my routine I still try to incorporate it.

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The path to understanding yourself — and discovering what truly works for you never really ends. Lately, I’ve been reminding myself not to take life so seriously, to appreciate where I am right now, while still investing in my future self in small, intentional ways. When you channel your energy into the right places, what you plant has a way of returning to you tenfold.

Choosing to believe you deserve a good life and actively building toward it is one of the greatest acts of self-love. It’s the small, everyday choices that slowly come together to create a life that feels meaningful and true to you.

With Love,

Joanna x