My Joy List
April 15th - 21st: strangers hugging, creating things, & a mix of adventures in and around Amsterdam
You’re reading a newsletter from Syd, an NYC-born gal who quit her “golden handcuffs” job and moved to Amsterdam to follow her heart’s calls for a path less traveled. Here, I share the challenges and wins of my own journey from people pleasing & perfectionism to authenticity, balance, joy, & freedom. Beyond this page, I coach fellow high achievers along their own journey. You may find comfort, empowerment, inspiration, and/or community. Welcome 🫶🏻
Hello sunshiney people!!
I saw the most tender moment in the park last week: two people hugging for numerous minutes in a very high-traffic spot.
I got really emotional watching. There’s something about two humans connecting so intensely, one person giving the other something they need, or maybe both of them giving and receiving something, in such a public place.
I’m still wondering whether it was a happy hug or a sad hug. It doesn’t matter, really, but I think it’s human nature to want more of the story when we see something so out of the ordinary.
When was the last time you hugged somebody without breaking for minutes at a time?
Also, a poem I opened to this morning that I love so much. I often need this kind of reminder to step beyond the walls I build and set my creativity free:
& now, let’s list it up!! Happy joy spotting :)
Joy spotting: the practice of noticing little moments of joy surrounding us all the time (more)
the blossoming lilac wisteria framing the various doorways in the neighborhood
the lady bug followed by a white feather on my way to the gym after asking my angels to show me them earlier that morning
wearing shorts for the first time this year
the post-gym and sauna high
spotting our new balcony flowers from the ground for the first time
enjoying my americano and the lemon poppyseed cake i’ve been eyeing at Edible Treasures
Ruby settling by my feet outside Edible Treasures
the pairing of my green matcha latte with our salmon colored matcha bowl
reading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek on the couch while sipping my matcha
Ruby lying on my chest on the couch while listening to Bon Iver’s new record
A showing me how to play farmhouse on the piano
The ~8 year old boy taking a boxing lesson at the gym
Stepping back to admire our newly organized pantry
submitting a request for editing help
playing around with myself in a self-timer photoshoot
finding out i got an interview
the tranquil green field just beyond our table during lunch at Restaurant Merlet
the beautiful lady bug crawling around on the side of the road right next to Rubs during our post-lunch walk
the unbelievable vastness of the rainbow carpet of tulips
Rubs falling asleep on my lap while A and I enjoy a Saturday morning book-reading sesh
the generosity of the woman running the dumpling stand when she gave us a bottle of dumpling sauce to take for our frozen dumplings
Shanti blowing me a kiss after i picked out my pastries from her stand
talking to Dad on his birthday
sitting at my easel letting my paint brush fly freely
the scrambled egg, rice, and nori bowl A made for me
watching Rubs run around the moment she got on the beach
riding with my arms around A on my bike through the ring on a perfectly blue sky Sunday
the groups of people taking boat rides along the canal
the way the tulips are opening
the way our two vases of different tulips are mirroring each other’s behavior
walking Rubs in the park with A, Stephy, and Thomas
dancing with A to Kamasi Washington perform jazz at Paradiso
I’m channeling those aforementioned strangers with this big virtual hug I’m sending your way. I hope you’re able to notice the space between you and your thoughts this week, and that this space gives you an opportunity to notice something beautiful in front of or inside of you. & in case you already forgot, sometimes there are no rules!
Love,
Syd