I’m unsure when it happened, but one day, it clicked for me that romanticizing your life is the biggest if not one of the most essential life hacks. In a world and a time where it’s deemed “better” to always be doing something fresh, novel, exhilarating, or leading you to what someone else defines as success, it’s easy to forget that getting to experience ordinary, uneventful days that you can shape is such a blessing. Over the last several months, I’ve made it a point to own my moments and opportunities to be jazzed by my daily life activities and rituals. Why? Because the majority of our days are not going to be a full 10 on the excitement meter…unless we make them that way. If we were actually rating days, I’d propose that any day you wake up to see already started at a 10 even if it didn’t include winning a prestigious award, enjoying tropical fruits on a faraway island, or getting the last available chocolate glazed donut for the morning at the bake shop. The reality is monotony is often a part of life and getting to live in those simplistic moments is a privilege. To recognize and honor that, I started creating space to be much more mindful and celebratory of those moments that furthered my happiness and love for what I get to do. For me, it has looked like —

Buying myself flowers and making what I’d say are very pretty arrangements for stems that were once shelved by the broccoli and brussels. I learned some time ago that while it’s incredibly sweet when someone else gives you flowers, doing it for yourself is an act of self-love and admiration. Don’t let the only time you celebrate you be because someone else did it.

Making French press coffee in the morning sometimes because it’s not an instant process and that alone helps me avoid what feels like a rushed start to the day. Do know that beakers and a dishwasher don’t go together, so you’ll need time…plenty of it.

Trying a new recipe that requires a little strategic planning on your next grocery run yet isn’t too far off from the normal items you’d buy. Sorry not sorry, but I’m not buying a spice that’s only available at a specialty store and good for one dish. But…I will buy the Italian tomatoes that will taste divine with my hand grated parmesan.

Using dinner plates that I would normally only eat on if I was hosting guests. I’m here to confirm that snow peas taste better on the pretty plates and weekdays are made for recycled paper ones.

Finding shops that curate collections of vintage glassware and vases. Whether thrift, locally owned boutique, or antique, I’m there. Simply browsing is therapeutic for me and a way to slow time that’s already frozen in a decade of dishes.

Lighting the candles I’ve collected and convinced myself that I should save for some sort of special occasion not realizing that now is the special occasion. Now what kind of scents does that make?

Taking the scenic route home just to have more time to listen to and sing my favorite songs in the car. They’re always better in the car. Always. Carpool karaoke is life. IYKYK.

Diffusing essential oils in my room or bathroom to channel lavender and jasmine serenity. Because spa vibes without needing to travel anywhere is everything. It’s also a weeeee bit cheaper.

Surrounding myself with a jazz ballad or classical piano sonata that makes me feel like I’m in an elevator or waiting room. That’s until the songs transition to the latest bop because going from Mozart to Megan is very possible on my playlist.

Putting on mascara and perfume during the work week for my own personal pizazz. Look good, smell good, do good! A motivational motto.

Getting lost in the library or bookstore for an unknown amount of time because I wait until the spirit moves me to leave. And because I’m usually enchanted by the world of words, a warm beverage adds a little dash of delight (but not at the library because rules…please abide).

Laughing with people at the food or clothing store because we’re looking for deals we probably won’t find and somehow we end up in a dialogue over fruits in season or wide leg trouser trends. I’m one of those people who will be minding my own business and someone will start telling me all their stories or ask for advice. Not sure if it’s my smiley nature or a magnetic force, but to be in harmony with other humans is to be alive. And you always get to decide the energy you’re going to bring to an interaction. Just know it’s hardly random or chance because God specializes in perfect placements.

All of this and so much more is a montage of what I deem as sacred presence…of life and of love. May this be a reminder that the allure of your being is you, and the lens you choose to view your every day sets the tone of your life experience. What’s in your view?

Sometimes we forget how far we’ve come. I can remember earlier in 2023 feeling like I was standing in the middle of a maze with no idea if there was indeed a fulfilling path to follow. Some days there was a burst of motivation to figure it out; other days everything seemed to be moving in slow motion or not at all. It was a feeling I hadn’t previously experienced in this capacity. And it didn’t take me long to determine that whatever strategies I had employed in the past to see me through weren’t going to work for this because…burnout. The ugly ‘b’ word. Although juggling and the diversification of life’s happenings have always had a starring role in my story, this was beyond that. It was a wall that I couldn’t scale anymore. It was a constant overwhelm of WTHs. It was honestly a joy stealer. And the latter was enough for the light bulb to go off, because I love my joy. Ain’t nothing stealing that!

Burnout had become more than exhaustion for me. It started to chip away at my mental clarity. At my desire to persevere. At my intention to see the glass half full. Much of that was attributed to many life transitions happening simultaneously and trying to stay above water. I’m no swimmer, but I can tell you that no one can tread forever. And as I sit here and reflect on the days of 2023 that are now in the rearview, I know I’m a far cry from where I began. I have my faith, my therapist, my coach, and my consistency to thank for that because what tried to steal my joy failed at that mission. If I learned nothing else last year and even now, it’s that many things can be true at the same time. Ultimately, (with my structured reinforcements and supports as mentioned), that’s what slowly caused my burnout to dissipate. I started understanding the layers of what was draining me at the granular level while also centering every moment and experience that lifted me. Some of that centering led me to festivals, paradise, new states, and food…because I’m always going to have a love-love relationship with delectable dishes. It also led me to nurturing current and new connections, guilt-free days of nothingness, and self-advocacy. But, most importantly, the centering centered me. And as a selfless being by nature (I once heard my friend describe it as ‘loyal to a fault’), I’m taking on 2024 with burnout behind and me at top of mind. Things are different because I’m different and I think different. I also considered it a win having both my therapist and coach confirm the shifts they’ve observed from their vantage points over the course of our time together.

May the days ahead be a reflection of us showing ourselves that many things will continue to be true at the same time. Let them also represent a declaration of our personal commitment to joy that honors who we are at our core and not allowing that to fall by the wayside. Because to have joy is to show regard and compassion for yourself. That is the seed that we must first water before we can properly extend our blooms to others.