hey, almond paste.

who knew it was actually true… but size really doesn’t matter

before you come for me, hang on a beat + hear me out

i don’t know what you had on YOUR mind, but i’m talking about the unfortunate cultural norm of classifying joy into different-sized buckets

small pleasures. appreciating the little things. microjoys

i mean, YES

i WANT you to enjoy simple moments + daily delights

(they’re an integral part of claiming joy like it’s your job, after all)

what i’d love for you to STOP doing is CALLING them small

as if you’re apologizing on their behalf

as if they’re anything less than the magic this life is made of

i know it FEELS GOOD to own loving the little things in life —

like you really GET IT, what life is all about

and i have no doubt that you do, bloom

but here’s the thing…

whether you mean to or not, as soon as you label a pleasure small, you place it lower along an invisible hierarchical scale of possible pleasures

even though you’re underdogging the stuffing out of it, you’re still positioning it as something in need of a champion

and you as someone who champions lesser pleasure

which keeps you from really feeling the depth of satisfaction that comes from being easily delightable

it keeps you thinking you’re tasting the feast while making excuses for mere morsels

and it keeps you wondering what you’re doing wrong when you don’t consistently feel the joy you think you should —

or when the joy you DO feel doesn’t make much of a difference in your days, beyond the occasional pretty sunset or stolen moment

you know this wordy birdie believes in the power of our language —

and the language of size keeps you stuck in lack + less than, even when you speak of abundance + love

your body knows the difference, even if you don’t yet

pay attention when you talk about those little things you love, punctuating some experience of delight with a declaration about how it’s the little things that count

be on the lookout for constriction in the belly that doesn’t match the feelings of enjoyment you’re describing

you may be doting on your small pleasures, but your body experiences them as an L when you wrap them in a valuation label

and listen, it’s not your fault

we’ve been indoctrinated to apologize in advance for anything less than grandiose success + pleasures that impress

what a wicked way to dim a bright light!

diffuse it with subterranean shame at not having more “big” pleasures to enjoy…

cloak it with cultivated dissatisfaction + a people pleasing urge to do better…

risk blowing it out with the raw edge of futility that mounts when you speak about lovely things whose joy doesn’t reach you to your toes

judgment is judgment —

whether you’re taking a stand for the “little guy” or cheering on the more socially-accepted hero

and every time you lay that label of the little things on something that brings you joy, you’re unintentionally reinforcing a system of valuation that keeps you further from feeling as lit up by life as you’d like

if you’re ready to cut through the conditioning that’s kept you in that loop for too long, let’s talk about how i can help

may your joys be bountiful + right-sized magics that nurture + fuel your big work in this world

xxoo, cc

ps: there are still some free spots available for the giveaway offered in monday's email!

➡️ just look for the subject line: who do you mother, and how?

💌 then hit reply + answer the 2 Qs!

💪🏽 if you're looking for something a little deeper, the 40% off a 4-session series promo is good through the end of may!!

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