Every single morning, rain or shine, I take a walk.

If you'd told me a year ago that this would become my little daily ritual, I would have guffawed in disbelief. I've always loved the outdoors, but sticking to any kind of routine or practice has felt beyond me. Like that kind of discipline belongs to someone else, it's not meant for my brain.

*Unrelated, I am in the beginning stages of an official ADHD diagnosis. Hmm. 🤔

No matter what belief I had in myself a year ago, at some point something randomly clicked. One morning I just started. Somehow over the course of the year, I became a morning walker and it has, surprisingly (and albeit, annoyingly), positively impacted every single aspect of my life.

I don't think it's the walk as much as it is the act of routinely interacting with the outside. Its the getting fresh air part, whether it's by that hour walk or just opening a window, that feels somehow rebellious.

Current culture is constantly pulling me towards a connected life, which sounds wonderful on the surface. But that constant connectivity — the always on, always taking in, always reacting — it is DRAINING. And there's something about turning it all off and shifting my full focus towards birds building nests, blooming trees, or chalk art from the toddler next door that feels defiant.

I realize that this spirit of "touching grass" is not, in fact, a radical concept, nor anything new. But for ME, it has felt that way day after day.

With this in mind, I recently read a Substack article by the incredible writer and teacher, Alex Elle. She is currently working through a challenge she's calling "Joy Spotting" and the concept is simple. She's keeping a journal of all the little things she spots throughout the day that make her feel connection, celebration, and JOY. (She's also done some great Youtube vlogs around the topic)

Again, not necessarily a new concept, but I had to ask myself: "When was the last time I intentionally sought out joy daily?"

So that's what I've been working towards, dear friend. And it's all starting with those morning walks. To be honest, Tennessee is making it easy as it's welcoming spring more and more each day.

The blooms are BLOOMING and it's this sweet little reminder that, you know what, so am I. When I feel dry or desolate, creatively stuck, or just dark and depressed, it's easy to forget there's movement happening through that. That stuck doesn't mean stationary. I just have to keep going, whatever that looks like that day or that hour. Just one step forward, even if that step is simply a sip of water.

Joy is worth fighting for, if you ask me. It's worth moving toward, but I have found in my own life that some seasons it does take great effort to spot. That's when I ask for help spotting it, or like this month, I get little reminders from the universe to get more intentional about the practice. Some seasons are for keeping track and some don't require as much attention. I think that's ok.

I'd love to hear what little joys you're spotting today!

Thank you so much for being here and allowing me this space to be ME. To share my heart and also learn from you. You teach me so much every single day, and it's an honor to have you in this cozy space, my friend.

Until our tea time resumes,

Meg