Things I’m Loving Lately: Small Joys That Are Filling My Cup
For a long time, I felt like my entire identity was wrapped up in cooking, cleaning, and chasing toddlers around the park. And while those moments still hold so much goodness and purpose [minus the chasing toddlers around because we are now in the pre-teen/teen years] I’ve recently rediscovered a few thighs that had been quietly waiting in the background.
This season? It’s teaching me that joy doesn’t have to be loud or perfectly curated. It’s found in small rhythms, simple pleasures, and making space for the things that bring much joy, regardless of how small.
So here’s a little round-up of the things I’ve been loving lately — the habits, tools, and moments that are grounding me and giving me a sense of joy.
🍋 1. lemon water
Sounds so small but I find great joy in making fresh lemon water for my day. Something my 11 year old has been enjoying as well and we like to make our lemon water together and sip on it in the afternoon.
Some of the perks of drinking this for me include:
Vitamin C
It improves skin quality
and the biggest one- because I struggle getting the right amount of water in a day, this helps me drink what I need! I drink it faster than regular water and it ups my H2O intake for the day.
☀️ 2. sitting in the sun during morning school
this was clearly not on our front porch but we took our school morning to the beach downtown and it was amazing.
One of my favorite changes in our homeschool rhythm this spring has been moving our collective school time outside. We gather on the front stoop mostly, soaking up the sun while we read, write, work on math facts and phonics.
We started this rhythm because living so far north gives us winter skin [AKA, white as a sheet of paper]. So instead of frying the first day of summer, I decided to take the early-morning-spring-sun as a chance to get a little color, some vitamin D, and some fresh air.
There’s something deeply energizing about starting the day with the light on our faces, and I find myself looking forward to it every chance we get.
✍️ 3. writing again (after a long, silent season)
For years, I told myself that writing was something I used to do. Something that belonged to the “before kids” version of me. I used to write poetry in High School! I came across a journal full of my poems from those days, and let me tell you… they were rough! But it made me happy to read through them because writing has been a part of me since those days.
and all thought there were many years since then that I didn’t have the time to write [four young kids kind of takes priority] I have found that lately I can carve out a few pockets of time to write again.
Blog posts, Moms Weekly content, little thoughts scribbled in a notebook… it’s all flowing again. And it feels like breathing.
Finding my voice again in this season—after years of diapers and dishes and brain fog—has been such an amazing gift in this season for my heart.
If you’re in the thick of it and wondering if you’ll ever get you back—I promise, she’s still there. She may look a tad different than before, but she will also look stronger and wiser.
💆♀️ 4. my simple hair reset routine
This one might sound a little crunchy, but hear me out—it's made a huge difference in how my hair feels.
I’ve been using a mix of water and baking soda, applied to my roots about five minutes before my shower. It helps break down buildup and gives my scalp a fresh start. Then after I wash, I spritz in a vinegar-water mixture as a natural conditioner and leave in.
I started using this several months back and let me tell y’all—my hair has never felt smoother. It’s soft, shiny, and doesn’t get oily as fast. Plus, it’s low-cost, nontoxic, and simple. A total win.
I got this from Shawna Holman’s book A Healthier Home. a great read!
🕊️ 5. making space for mistakes
Maybe the biggest shift lately is simply this: I’ve tried to not demand perfection from myself or my kids. This one has been a tad painful because I so often expect perfection. For years, I’ve expected this unrealistic version of myself But it only hinders my ability to be real and human.
But I’m learning that the best parts of life aren’t found in polished moments—they’re found in the messy middle.
Mistakes are where we grow. They’re how our kids learn. They’re where grace meets us, again and again.
I’m practicing giving myself permission to be imperfect and giving my kids the same gift. This has made room for more peace. And ironically, it’s also helped me show up better—more present, more kind, more real.
So that’s what I’m loving lately.
Lemon water and sunlight. Writing again and getting reacquainted with my hair. Making time for what matters—and letting that be enough.
If you’re in a season of rediscovery too, I see you. Keep reaching for what brings joy to your days. Intentionally choosing to show up in small ways adds up in the life of our home.
with grace, always,
Kim
