Learning to find joy in the mundane

When your cup of tea is that perfect temperature

Feb 03, 2021

Today, it snowed here. It was the nice fluffy sort, too - although it was turning into slush upon landing. I was battling my way through washing mountain when I noticed Potter standing looking out the window at the snow. We live in an old terraced house and the windows are the perfect height for the dogs - they love people watching when folks walk by.

I opened the window and Harmony joined us. For a good ten minutes, we watched the snow fall in the street - the dogs standing and me on my knees - eventually acting as a lean-post for Potter, who often feels that holding his own body weight is below him.

Usually, I’d be too busy scrapping with the washing to stop for a few moments and just notice.

This got me thinking about how we’ve lost so many of our sources of joy during lockdown - spending time with friends and family, going out for food, having a drink at the pub or a fresh Barista-made flat white, trips to the cinema, taking a summer holiday… I could go on. And how, in a mission to stay sane, we must create our own spaces of solace at home. That’s where the idea for this week’s (less-inflammatory-than-last-week’s) newsletter comes in.

Earlier in the week, I tweeted asking for people to share some mundane things that they’ve been enjoying during the never-ending lockdown #3. If I’m honest, I’ve been in a fettle all week - for non-Geordies, a “fettle” is the mood equivalent of meh.

But when the responses to my tweet started rolling in, I found the corners of my mouth attempting to defy the gravity of depression. So, here I am sharing the joy in the mundane.

I had a lot more responses than I expected, so I can’t share them all, but here are some highlights:

Kate Gresswell-Pettitt @KateGresswell

@contentbythesea Reading with my little boy and teaching him to growl like the lions in the noisy book ♥️

Ask Mrs Watson @AskKateWatson

@contentbythesea Emptying the inside recycle bin into the outside recycle bin. Doesn’t get much more mundane than that but always nice to see the inside recycle bin clear!!

Specky Scribbler | Michelle @SpeckyScribbler

@contentbythesea Writing to do lists, new pairs of socks, fresh bed sheets, fresh flowers in a vase.

Becca Magnus 💙 @beccamagnus

@contentbythesea Making chicken stock/soup. Love the smell and steamed up windows. New bedding and fresh towels. Doing my skincare routine. Listening to music/audio books while cleaning. Discovering old treasures on my book shelves. Painting walls and doors exciting colours. Little acts of hope.

copycontentwriter @copycontentw

@contentbythesea Opening a new bag of coffee...I always take the time to fully enjoy the gorgeous smell. Doing the little ‘ooops sorry, I’ll just go this way’ square dance with strangers in shops, with smiling eyes & bit of an awkward laugh. Everything about my dog. (Except her sleep farts!)

Katie Thompson @katielingoyork

@contentbythesea Stacking the fridge after a weekly shop and everything just fits in *peeeerfectly* like Tetris. Audible reactions.

Lauren Archer @miss_archer

@contentbythesea Not sure if this counts but I get the biggest buzz when planning/doing renovations on a house that’s OURS! Lockdown has been ideal for getting things done and all the inspo! X

Craig Wright - Tech Writer @straygoat

@contentbythesea New socks. A treat-to-self you've ordered arriving in the post. An evening walk when no fucker has a log burner on so the air is fresh. Sunday afternoon nap. Hot cup of tea when you get in from a bracing dog walk. Slipping into a hot bath after getting soaked on dog walk.

Nicola 🍑 @MiaowPR

@contentbythesea Pretty sky, drinking a coffee I did not make, hot chocolate with whipped cream (v. Boujee in my book) cos why the hell not, crisps sandwiches, new pen that writes nicely and post-walk naps 👏🏻

Mark Grainger | Blossom Tree Copy Agency @MarkGrainger

@contentbythesea Baking scones on a Sunday.

And my personal favourite from the lovely guys at Feast & Fables:

@feastsandfables @feastsandfables

@contentbythesea A cup of tea drunk at *that* moment. Not too hot, not too cold. Not too sugary, but sweet enough. Not too milky; just strong enough. Tea. Mundane as can be!

*chef’s kiss*

I’d love to hear more about what’s keeping you afloat as we embark on another month in lockdown. Come find me on Twitter. or feel free to join our Discord server for freelancers.

📚 A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Mass - Total trash, total escapism

📺 It’s A Sin - Russell T. Davies is back with this devastating story about a group of friends in London during the AIDs epidemic. This is one of the most beautiful and saddening things I’ve ever seen.

🎙 James Acaster on How to Fail with Elizabeth Day - A glimpse behind the curtain of James’ whimsical on-stage persona.

Also, Louis’ podcast is over for another series - in this week's finale, he chats to his cousin, Hollywood actor Justin Theroux.

♟ Playing chess has become somewhat of an addiction in this house, we’ve got The Queen’s Gambit to thank for that!

That’s all from me this week - see you next Wednesday for more of the same!

Enjoyed this? You might like these past issues:

27 January: No, you can’t

20 January: I’ll be happy when

13 January: Why you’re tired all the time

6 January: Just keep going

23 December: A book recommendation for every mood

16 December: Burnout might not be what you think it is

9 December: Whatever happened to ‘be kind?’