Jen’s Happiness Ten: Jan 2015

Oh hey!

Ok so we’re trying something new here. I just figured that we get a little (or a lot) bogged down in the crappy or mundane stuff, and sometimes we don’t really stop to appreciate what’s going on that’s good, or just to delight in the little things. So at the end of each month I’m going to do a little round up of 10 things that made me happy in the thirtyish days that preceded it; a little highlights collection if you will. A little peek into my life, things that interest me, some nice pictures and less waffle for once! Get involved if you fancy it, why not?!

1. This bike with both wheels

Back in October some supreme toilet of a person thought it appropriate to steal the front wheel from my beloved road bike while it was locked inside my building. Cheeeeeeers. I subsequently spent over a month living out of a suitcase between two flats, then we moved flats, then CHRISTMAS. So I didn’t manage to get this sorted until now and OH MY GOD. It’s weird how quickly you forget how deliriously happy something makes you when you stop doing it. Just look at that utterly ridiculous giddy face.

2. The #ThisGirlCan campaign

I’m sure you’ve seen this by now. I just LOVE it, it’s so well executed. Sport England have launched a new initiative to address the fact that a lot of women don’t exercise through fear of being judged. They’re empowering us all to overcome the barriers that hold us back from getting sweaty, pushing us to go and do it anyway and celebrate all that we’ve got. I for one am prone to a rather tasty shade of beetroot at the slightest elevation in heart rate. To me this campaign is entirely awesome.

3. This little book

Oh isn’t it cute! I got this as a present last year and it’s taken me until now to read it. It’s full of helpful ideas and routes for cycling around London but most of all I just love how it’s presented so beautifully. It makes me want to buy a wicker basket and a wreath of flowers for my hair. Not sure they’re the accessories of choice for a road bike mind… there’s a whole Europe series that I’m very tempted to get my mitts on.

4. This Jessie Ware song

Ohhhh it’s just so delicious. Her entire second album is delicious, but this song in particular is so dreamy. It’s not new so I’m sure you’re aware of it, but this has been keeping me calm of late when I want to shut the world out for just a few minutes. It talks about a love between two people who are on the edge of falling off the cliff (in the best way). But one is ready, while one is scared, and she is very honestly begging for them to take the leap. Get it in your ears if you haven’t already.

5. This new home of ours

As I maaaaay have mentioned (#sexyhousechat) I moved before Christmas. I actually moved in with a boooyyyyy *Monica voice* into a brand new flat that is our own little corner of happiness in East London. We quickly set about making it a home and it’s just SO MUCH FUN. Having moved about far more than is necessary in a lifetime, it’s so wonderful to feel grounded, and to come home to a little space that is yours. Also, I get to eat this food every night… Next. Level.

6. This clean air

Weird. I’m not really a runner, I sometimes sort of like it but there’s definitely other forms of exercise I prefer (see giddy bike face above). However over Christmas I really felt like I wanted to get out in the air – suddenly and quite inexplicably. So without the bike I decided to run. For the first time ever I found it really meditative and quite nourishing. Getting out into the clean green air is something that we Londoners just don’t do enough, so I would like to keep this up as long as it feels this good.

7. These fancy leggings

Ohhh it’s always nice to have some new threads. With all the running and cycling and New Years back to the gym vibes, I decided to treat myself and to go a bit LOUD. These leggings are actually from M&S, who’d have thunk? They’ve got a lovely shape to them, the band at the top sits well and also holds my Omnipod in place if it’s on my tummy which I like. I’m terrible for not spending money on gym kit, and you can really tell the difference here; they’re just so fit for purpose, and at £25 they’re hardly eye-watering. I love the flare of colour on the bottom. High five.  And soz about the terrible photo, for more helpful pictures head here.

8. This MASSIVE scarf

This is my only clothes purchase of 2015 so far (Lycra aside) and I LOVE it. It was an impulse cheapy H&M purchase when the cold was taking my breath away; I dashed into the nearest shop to buy essentially a blanket masquerading as a scarf. Unfortunately it’s also like having a small kitten attached to you – it malts EVERYWHERE. The fluff has found its way into my lunch, my mouth, my eyes… I clearly need to put it through the wash but I just don’t want to lose the fluffiness! It’s also attracted some ‘affectionate’ grief from my delightful colleagues (they know who they are) because, this:

They’ve got a point, to be fair.

9.This blog

I love this little virtual place of mine, but it’s fair to say historically my posts have rarely been consistent. For one life just seems to gets in the way, but also I rather pathetically paralyse myself with it sometimes, with thoughts of whether I’m writing anything good, whether it’s useless, the fact that I don’t approach my diabetes in an analytical way when I probably should. But I have lately been taking stock of what it’s here for and how I can get more content out to you lovely folk that always keep me writing more. That’s really exciting so hopefully there will be some subtle but fun changes over the next year. This blog has led me to meet some really lovely people, do some really cool things and gives me so much joy, so YAY for just being bolder and prouder about that.

10. This unicorn Lego

To finish on a wholly mature note… this was brought to my attention by a colleague with a small child. I’m 27. But still. Unicorn Lego!!