My Joy List
July 1st - July 14th, 2024: the proposal, lavender (Provence), and turquoise water (Corsica)
You’re reading The Sunshine Table, a newsletter written by Syd, an NYC-bred Life Coach learning how to melt into life in Amsterdam. Here, I share the challenges and wins of my own journey to balance, joy and fulfillment as a recovering high-achieving people pleaser and perfectionist. You may find comfort, inspiration, and/or community. Welcome 🫶🏻
Joy spotting: the practice of noticing little moments of joy surrounding us all the time (more)
the little boy running barefoot around the Aix market
the chill vibes on the quaint Porto Vecchio street of “Le Table du Nathalie” while enjoying an incredible veal
Nathalie’s translation of the incredible chalkboard menu at her restaurant
the moment I realized A was asking me to marry him
the joy in mom and dad’s voices and faces when I facetimed them after saying yes
the joy, hugs, kisses, and toasts from A’s whole fam after saying yes
the croquembouche cake to celebrate our engagement (extra hilarious and joyful thx to the Kardashians)
the congratulatory nonalcoholic champagne, flowers, strawberries, handwritten note, and candles from the hotel staff awaiting us in our room after dinner
the sense of community between the hundreds of people watching the France vs. Spain Euros match on the Porto Vecchio square in Corsica
the cherry, lemon, orange, and heart-decorated straw baskets at the Aix market
the unexpected water thrown on my body during my first hammam and the belly laugh I impulsively let out in shock
the best french toast I’ve ever had for dessert at La Closerie in Ansouis, Provence
rubbing gentle, hydrating products on my dry skin
the clear, turquoise Corsican water
snorkeling to the beautiful Corsican beach
meeting A underwater for a little forehead-to-forehead moment while snorkeling
the smiley faces drawn on the trail markings for our hike to a beautiful Porto Vecchio waterfall
the way A’s face lit up when he realized I got melon sorbet for myself so he could try it
talking with A’s aunt about my business and getting her advice
the nonstop hum of cicadas surrounding our Airbnb in Porto Vecchio, Corsica
this moment writing this list in my bathing suit while surrounded by trees and mounts and the ocean in the distance
the smell of jasmine all over our hotel in Provence
stumbling on huge lavender fields in Provence and pulling over for photos
the neighborhood wine and cheese gathering on the quaint street of Lourmarin
walking around the adorable shops and streets of Lourmarin with A the night after our engagement
the beautiful string light canopy and table floral arrangements at dinner in the vineyard
the ceramic fig gifted from A’s cousins from the Ansois fruit ceramicist I never made it to, Juliet S.
learning about Juliet’s background from Mel
unexpectedly driving through the narrow, windy, old streets of Bonnieux and the panoramic mountain view to my right
the mind blowingly fresh rhubarb and fig tarts from Patisserie Jouvaud in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
the people sitting along the canal running through L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with their feet in the water
the veggie-themed antique ceramics at the L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Sunday market
the hair clip artist at said market pulling my hair in an up-do to show me how to use her clips, unprompted
the way the jeweler at KariBoo in Aix gushed over a dress gifted to me from A’s family the day prior
picking fruits, veggies, meats, and cheeses from the Aix market for a sidewalk picnic with A and his cousins
looking through and picking a sticker from Mel’s sticker book
the cool breeze and warmth of the sun from the bow of a boat along the Corsican coast
the tea and snack awaiting us in our room each night
short and sweet workouts and stretches in the hotel gym
morning yoga led by Lexi
walking to dinner alone with A and his grandpa
making an honest, heartfelt toast at dinner
the easy and available parking for Maora beach in the south of Corsica
an available day bed at Maora beach
the shade of said day bed
reading and writing next to A and family as the heat and wind dry the salty water on my skin
swimming in the deliciously cool, but not cold, water at Maora beach
the phenomenal Vongole and eggplant dish at Aria Nova in Bonifacio, Corsica
the kind people working at Aria Nova, and learning Patrick’s background
my virgin pina colada at Maora beach
lunch, dinner, and car conversations with A and family
the birds chirping, cicadas singing, and coolish breeze overlooking the mountains on the porch of our Porto Vecchio Airbnb
my soft patterned coasters from Bonifacio
the pink hydrangeas at the hotel check-in desk
finding out our hotel room was ready upon our 9:45am arrival
sneaking an extra complimentary hotel breakfast in to our 1 night stay
the hotel’s warm pool water
the pink childrens goggles A and I wore in the hotel pool
sitting on a float and reading in the pool
the stunning blue sky and calm water from our balcony in the early evening and first thing in the morning
the good pen in our hotel room
the orange rose petals arranged in a heart on our bed post-dinner
putting rose petals in silly places on my body in the bath
the pink and white rose bouquet, French Bloom, fruit, and chocolate cake from A waiting in our hotel room
the hotel’s free mini bar
the stellar complementary room service breakfast: a french omelette with cheese and onions, then cheese and mushrooms, avocado, fruit, and thick, wonderful lox
enjoying said breakfast while looking at the endless ocean, boats, and hills of Monaco
a poolside watermelon greek salad
a naked sauna and steam between pool time
joking with A about whether the people in the pool are siblings or dating
laughing with A at the convos we could hear on neighboring hotel balconies
the trafficless ride to the Nice airport
the fluffy billowing clouds from the plane window on the way to Amsterdam
my plane nap from Corsica to Nice
our seamless journey from Corsica to Nice
the lifeguard at the pool asking if I wanted my photo taken
the mini bottles of EVOO and balsamic vinegar that came with our breakfast room service
the smell of the hotel’s products
the comfy hotel robes
wearing a skirt on the plane for the first time
learning about fidget toys from A’s cousins
A’s cousins gifting us their fidget toys
talking to Anna about knitting and learning about interchangeable circular needles
the 3 generation Dutch family in the row of our flight all crawling and piling on top of each other
the little boy from said family putting stickers on his assumed grandma and cousin
dreaming about my wedding
the mini Evian spray bottle in the hotel mini fridge
seeing photos from our trip for the first time
the smell of the pink and white rose bouquet
A’s grandpa’s kiss on my head
the black labradoodle puppy who smothered me in jumps and kisses on my walk in the park
the two white feathers that fell across my path on my first walk in the park post-vacay
sitting on the balcony after dinner wrapped in a blanket with blue skies and whispy clouds above
sneaking a peak into a beautiful Sunday mass from the street
Wishing you so much love and moments of noticing joy <3,
Syd