The Importance of Details
Where the magic happens
Today I wanted to keep things leaned towards the lighthearted side of topics since my most recent posts have consisted more of the opposing.
I love writing posts like this because they’re often written somewhat “mindlessly,” where I just sit at my desk, and everything ceaselessly flows from my fingertips to keyboard.
Writing arbitrary personal posts is also favorable when I feel completely drained of inspiration or passion altogether; it’s kind of like re-sparking a match to get a fire started.
You know how they say, “it’s the little things that matter”?
I feel as if this can be taken in a vast array of ways, as it should.
For most of my life, I merely saw it as attempting to amplify the good things in your life by focus to the smallest most menial things that bring you joy, in hopes of creating a lighter mindset.
— That it was as simple as seeking any joy in the here and now, doing the best with what you have and appreciating it in its pure entirety.
Though, what I’m beginning to learn about “the small things” is that it’s equally important to add them to your life as well.
For example, my room is fairly plain — white walls, matching comforter with a pop of emerald pillows, a white desk, a small collection of personal paintings pinned above my closet, and a poster of Van Gogh watching over my bed.
I have one bedside table and it merely consists of a single magazine, overlayed by a book, with a bottle of body lotion and a jaguar flower vase holding fake greens and a sunflower.
One of the books I’m currently reading is The Inviting Life: An Inspirational Guide to Homemaking, Hosting and Opening the Door to Happiness by Laura Calder.
I just scoured the last few chapters I’ve read searching for a quote about what makes a home, alas, I cannot find it, though I highlighted it!
Regardless, it got me thinking…I spend a great deal of my time in my room when I’m at “home,” and in a way, it can be seen as my own little home.
Which, I’ve mentioned in a previous post, home is a sentiment compared to a tangible thing.
Laura Calder writes that she prefers a home that looks lived in, showing a sign of flourishing life.
I took a look at my parents’ house after reading this and I began to see everything but — we have a dining table and couch that is only for looks, the decorations are stale, stiffly collecting dust, a majority of what this house contains is uptight and taken too seriously…and another thing Calder mentions is that the environment of a house (from wall decor to carpet choice, and their placement) says a lot about the people (or person) who chose it.
Honestly, who am I, though, to say this of my parents’ house only reading a quarter of this homemaking book, right?
But seriously…my mom has decorative candles in every room downstairs and has never lighted them, and never will.
We have three of them at the dining table (the one we’re allowed to use) and the other day I said to her, You could have a candle-lit dinner with those! and she replied, “No, that’s not what they’re for.”
I then looked at my room to see that I didn’t obtain much more signs of life in my home than my parents did.
A few posts ago, I mentioned my journey to minimalism and that it became a hobby for me to get rid of things as I saw minimalism akin to having close to nothing (I’m still unlearning this), but more so translates to having only those that matter and bring joy to your life.
A few days ago, I went to Target and saw this sheet set I’ve been wanting for some time on sale…
Long story short, I have cartoon banana printed bedsheets and matching pillowcases now!
Before I continue on, I want to acknowledge the ongoing battle within my heart between wanting to have an artistic, upbeat energy to my spaces vs. one that’s earthy and cozy.
I chose to save the caramel macchiato color scheme for my real home down the road.
Since then, I can’t even begin to explain how much joy these sheets have brought me in my day-to-day life — what it feels to pull down my plain, white comforter exposing these soft blue sheets covered in bananas each morning…a spark of joy unmatched!
I also love them because they make me think of Andy Warhol; perhaps a painting of tomato soup to keep Van Gogh some company on my wall is needed.
Nothing says full of life like a combination of bananas and tomato soup!
As humans, we’re bound by routine, even if we try to fight it — it’s in our nature. Though, being too comfortable in routine oft creates a zombie of ourselves.
Adding a few minor details to each step, such as fruity bed sheets, will open us up to appreciating these mundane moments, such as making the bed, so much more than we would by simply implementing just because it’s a necessary habit.
Another example is drinking coffee.
Now, this has always been enjoyable to me, though have learned to appreciate it more, savoring every sip ever since I got myself a mug that brings me a similar amount of joy.
It’s a white ceramic mug, with an outline of Tinkerbell on the front, and the handle is a pastel green fairy wing…drinking hot coffee has never felt more magical!
Speaking of bringing things to life, I’ve had a vague idea recently to start podcasting again.
If you tuned in when I first started it, I sincerely apologize.
I honestly hadn’t a clue what I was doing and didn’t feel as enthusiastic as I thought I’d be whilst recording, but I’ve been thinking…since Medium made listening to posts as something only members can access now, perhaps I could use a podcast as a means to elaborate my work more in profound detail for greater connection.
Truth be told, the robot voice that did read back a post here wasn’t my favorite to begin with anyway.
Before I completely publish any of my writings, I always read it aloud to myself to find any last-minute mistakes.
And I noticed that when I read, I start moving my hands and using emotion in my tone — something that may not come across as I intend through my words of black and white at all.
It’s also always been a dream of mine to go to a Slam poetry night…though, I have a great fear of public speaking with eyeballs seeping through my soul, so I think it’d be fun to be able to [somewhat] make this dream of mine come true, reading my works of heart to the world…without the eyeballs!
Though, it’s just a thought I’ve had; right now, I feel as if I don’t have the mental energy to make it into a consistent reality.
Aside from that, I have also been wanting to use Unsplash to my extended advantage.
I miss taking pictures and having somewhere to share them to. Somewhere that I can just share a picture and leave it at that; minus the maintenance of a false persona and angst of always having the perfect picture.
Something I really want with this idea is authenticity.
When I’d use Instagram as a means to share my pictures, it always took me away from a moment in the most diluting manner.
For example, if I was watching the sunset, I’d take my attention away from the moment at hand to pull out my phone and try so hard to get the perfect picture, forgetting I was living and breathing that very beautiful moment.
The same went with any picture I took, and it was exhausting.
I really do miss taking pictures, though, because it helps my brain stay awake in seeking the beauty around me…I just want it to be more natural and candid this time around by taking pictures for the mere joy of it, regardless of how they turn out.
Okay, let’s talk about food!
I tried making a lemon-parmesan pasta once, and to say it was a disaster is a true understatement.
I’ve been seeing countless recipes with this same zesty-tangy combination on Pinterest lately and decided on giving it another chance.
I believe that second chances are necessary, just remember to change some details the second time around!
My mistake in my first attempt was using Kraft’s pre-grated parmesan cheese…
I’m embarrassed.
I’ve learned (the hard way) that if something calls for such cheese, don’t go too convenient; buy it as its whole, and grate/shred it at home so your future self will thank you, or at least buy the convenient from stores that sell other various luxury cheeses.
I actually never liked parmesan much until consuming it this way; I’ve been having an ongoing romance with parmesan ever since.
I get mine from Trader Joe’s, which I’ve recently found that I’ve been neglecting another small section in the store entirely.
A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon their premade raviolis…Cacio e Pepe ravioli?! Someone deserves a raise!
Unfortunately, I haven’t tried that one yet…I feel as if I’ve been consuming too much cheese lately, but I had a chance to try the vegan cashew cream and spinach one, which I can definitely recommend!
I’ve made it with a white, creamy rosemary sauce (life-changing) and today, I had it for lunch with a red sauce, which paired well together also!
I have yet to perfect a homemade red sauce, though.
I’ve been seeking new things to try, which I truly believe Trader Joe’s is the right place to go for such adventure, and so far, I have not been disappointed.
I also recommend their caramel coffee almonds!
Aside from what I’ve been eating, another book I’ve been reading is 14,000 Things to Be Happy About by Barbara Kipfer.
It’s a pocket-sized book (if you have decent sized pockets) that endlessly lists random things that bring joy to our lives.
I read it every morning to start the day in a light mindset (sometimes I end the day the same) and also when I find myself too deep in my head in hopes of changing the tone within.
It’s definitely put the small things into a broader perspective.
