just a list of 75 good things
so, uh, how’s everyone doing? last week was a lot for many, myself included, to handle. as a distraction, i decided to make a big ol’ list of things i love in life, inspired by this substack called the pleasure lists that curates, well, lists of little pleasures from various folks. i did one of these a couple years ago on here, but i feel it’s always important to revisit stuff that brings you joy — both to re-up serotonin and see what themes continually come up and could be worth exploring. what would be on your pleasure list? i’d love to know!
frothing the milk for my morning coffee to make it a little fancier
when an item of clothing at a thrift store calls to me from the rack
a restaurant with a fireplace
an emotionally evocative guitar solo
an ice-cold bourbon cocktail in a classy, dark bar
the very specific pre-fall breeze in august and september
lighting a new candle (also: lighting multiple candles at once)
craftsman bungalows
dancing at weddings
a summer thunderstorm
the smell that emanates from a pizza parlor
synchronicities that remind me that the universe is always listening
licking the beaters after i bake something
wearing a fragrance that’s so good i can't stop sniffing myself
completing a crossword puzzle
texas roadhouse rolls with honey cinnamon butter
real-life meet-cute stories
the electric energy of a rock show in an intimate club
picking up a lucky penny from the sidewalk
the “high five” prank in jackass 3 (and jackass in general)
a smile from a cute stranger
BLTs on sourdough in late summer
tiki bars
a new favorite song on repeat
an old favorite song that brings me riiight back to a particular time
dipping thin mints in milk
walking out of the theater after a feel-good movie or musical that gave me a new lease on life
the delicious, creeping high of an edible
falling asleep when it's raining outside
jason segel’s vibes
pulling apart a freshly-baked croissant
the first really nice spring day of the year in new england
twinkle lights
sautéing garlic
early morning walks when everything is quiet and still
meatballs or ground beef as a pizza topping
maximalism
nonstop flights
root beer floats
anthony bourdain’s wit (RIP)
canceled plans when i wasn’t in the mood to go
choreography videos where i’m making the stank face and saying “ayyyy!” and “let’s go!” aloud the entire time i’m watching
candlelit sunday night baths
chain restaurant desserts
finding a note in a used book
walls painted in jewel tones
crop tops
plant-filled spaces
when i’ve seen a movie so many times that i can quote it line for line (can’t hardly wait, dazed and confused, sister act 2, the princess diaries, don’t tell mom the babysitter’s dead, the breakfast club, sixteen candles, she’s the man, etc.)
seeing a ladybug
wandering around a mall
rediscovering old, fun internet trends (lipdub videos, the mannequin challenge, pharrell’s “happy around the world” dance) that showcase humanity at its finest
checkered floors
dive bar jukeboxes
pulling a positive tarot card (my faves: 9 of cups, the sun, the star, 9 of pentacles, the wheel of fortune)
a medium dunkin’ iced with oat milk and one sugar
sinbad’s 1993 stand-up comedy special, “afros and bellbottoms”
lanky men with long hair and good cheekbones
tilt-a-whirls
american eskimo dogs
chocolate-covered gummy bears
the way james spader's character says "you're a bitch" with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth in pretty in pink
having an unexpected, cool experience or stumbling into an amazing place i didn’t know about while i’m traveling
sunken living rooms
orange trees
those clear ‘90s phones where you can see all of the innards
fangirling unapologetically
when a store has a resident cat
$3.99 bouquets from trader joe’s
funny tattoos
taking a ridiculously long solo walk while listening to music (and sometimes, imagining what moment or scene a song would soundtrack if i were in a movie)
a cup of coffee after dinner
fridge doors covered with pictures and kitschy magnets
going to open houses for fun
this is so good. yes to virtually all of it. (also, the nine of pentacles is my giiiirl :) )
I know I say this often but I wish we were neighbors! So many stand-outs on this list. Thank you for these lovely reminders of all that is good! (And that gorgeous dog photo!)