Feel Good Friday

Today is May 1st, hooray! Although we are still in quarantine, March and April lasted so long and there's just something refreshing about this first day of May. So refreshing, in fact, that I was inspired to start a new weekly post: Feel Good Friday. This new segment of the blog is where you can find five simple things that may bring joy to your Friday, weekend, or week. In honor of May, here are my five picks for the first ever Feel Good Friday in all of their spring-time goodness.

1. Your favorite candle

I always have a candle lit in my room, and it's usually something that I like to eat. There's something so satisfying about having your favorite scent in a room, wafting throughout the house. You should light your favorite candle- it's like a little treat to yourself!

2. A house plant

House plants are like our children. They need our love and affection, and we get to watch them grow up! Taking care of a house plant really shows. Sometimes you water your house plant and you get a good look at the nice green leaves that its grown and you feel a sense of pride- as you should!

3. Stationary

With much more free time on our hands in quarantine, we can take advantage of it by sitting down and doing something we always wish we could, but never had the time to, such as writing. You may even be like me- you own so much stationary and thank you letters, but you just haven't had anyone to write to yet. Now would be a great time to write a thank you! You could write it to your local essential workers, or write a letter to family or friends.

4. Natural lighting

With a world-wide pandemic going on, it may be too much effort to to do the things you used to enjoy- and that's okay! A lot of people are feeling sad, depressed, and anxious from being indoors and not seeing their friends and family. This is a huge lifestyle change for many people, and you are not alone. So, here's a very minimal thing to feel good about this Friday: sunlight. Opening the windows or stepping outside after a month of stormy weather is nice! Where I am, it rains frequently, but even then my blinds are open to let in just the smallest amount of light. Natural light is one of the little things in life to appreciate.

5. Your skincare routine

If you have a skincare routine, I applaud you. Double applause for a skin care routine you've found that works for you. I recently found my favorite products and I'm so happy with the results. Not only does having a skincare routine help you to have happy and healthy skin, but it also makes you feel more accomplished. This is something you do every day and night, and your consistency has given you the results you deserve. That's something to be proud of and happy about! Skincare is also a real luxury, so never take your face masks and mists and creams and scrubs for granted!

Apart from everything we go through, we should strive to appreciate the little things in our life and find joy in them if we have the energy to do so. This is not meant to force happiness or positivity. In some moments, we do need time to ourselves to handle our emotions even when they are not positive. I'm not always positive, and I can't advocate for a strictly positive life either. It's just not realistic. However, even when things seem to be rough and going downhill, at least we still have these little things. Learning to live life with appreciation has really helped me, even in my darkest times. "I'm really upset, but at least I still have this." With our daily routines being changed, I'm sure many people have thought of luxuries they've taken for granted, such as going out on a nice day or visitng their favorite shops. But there are still many things to appreciate in life, and it's never too late to notice them.

Keep things sweet!

-xoxo, Sugar Spice