@houseofhaseul , @thecriminalchipmunk
I haven’t been on this side blog in AGES but, since this is where I’ve collaborated with you both the most, I figured it was the perfect place to answer these asks. Two sets of five things that make me happy. Hmm... let’s see...
1. Participating in Online Reading Challenges - It helps me zero in on specific titles on my TBR, and it gives me added motivation to stick to them. It’s also been really nice to have that sense of community, making reading feel a little less solitary, even if participants have chosen different titles.
2. Autumn - We’re officially in my favorite season! Leaves are starting to change outside my window, it’s starting to get cooler outdoors, and soon I’ll finally get to put up my decorations around the house. I’m really looking forward to it!
3. Upcoming Releases - There are some books, streaming series, and movies scheduled to debut in the next couple of months, and I’m feeling really optimistic about how much I might enjoy these new stories.
4. Lounge Pants - My former ones were so old that the fabric was wearing out and getting holes/rips. I was able to find some affordable replacements and they’re so soft.
5. Daydreaming - The old tried and true, but I don’t think I’ve ever given it a shoutout, so I can remedy that now. I don’t always have the time/energy/willpower/etc. to commit writing projects to a document, but being able to tinker with them in my head helps me feel like I’m keeping the ideas fresh.
6. Painting - I’ve dabbled in this again, just a little bit, during quarantine. I think I like painting decorative things more than I like taking on a blank canvas, but both had a pleasant calming effect on me when I tried. Even though the process is always messy, the familiarity of it is really comforting.
7. Board Games - I don’t get to play them nearly as often as I might like, but they do make me happy when I get the chance. I’ve discovered new fun ones along the way, but Clue is still my favorite.
8. Bonding with My Cat - For years, she preferred other people in my house to me, but she’s been warming up to my company in recent months. It’s been really nice. <3
9. Playlists - I love finding a really well-crafted one, especially when it’s inspired by a movie/show/character/ship I like. I love making them myself, both for my own tastes and for members of my immediate family. I enjoy the challenge of curating just the right mix for the occasion.
10. Messages from Friends - Especially in our current times, random messages from old buddies genuinely brighten the whole day on a level that nothing else can quite manage. It’s wonderful to reconnect, whether it be a brief chat or a longer exchange, and I always welcome the unexpected reason to smile.