Issue #87: 27 little things that make our lives a lot better
Or, how we're finding joy in the everyday (even when it's really cold).
Before we dive in: We’re two weeks away from our Romance for Non-Romance Readers “galentines” event at Lovestruck Books in Harvard Square… and we sold out our first run of tickets! We opened up a few more, so if you want to come and haven’t gotten one yet, move quick!
This time of year, I (Aja) am usually focused on big changes: better balancing work and life, only making offers I want people to take, combatting my Substack jealousy… But I’ve found little changes can make a difference, too — from making showers feel more luxurious and lighting candles for everyday moments to texting with friends about recipes and finding new ways to connect with family.
For inspiration, I asked some of my favorite writers and creators to share the little things making their lives better right now. Here’s what they said.
“I don’t need it, but I couldn’t live without it” products…
, big feelings: “I’m obsessed with this $30 eucalyptus shower spray. Other sprays are overly saccharine, but this one is pure eucalyptus essential oil (plus a little bit of lavender!) and PERFECT. You turn on your shower, let it run for a bit, and spray it into the water stream as you step in. It makes your shower feel like a spa, helps relieve nasal congestion when you’re sick, and encourages deep, therapeutic breathing. It’s one of those “I don’t need it, but I couldn’t live without it” products.”, : , : “I’m a big fan of this $25 digital alarm clock, which has nice white noise, adjustable brightness, and an easy-to-set alarm. But the best thing about it: My husband and I can now fully commit to keeping our phones out of our bedroom at night. We’re going to bed earlier, sleeping better, and doing way less doom-scrolling.”“Adjusting to wearing an eye mask to bed took a little time — but after basically living out of a suitcase for six-plus months, the routine became very comforting. This mask does a fantastic job at blocking out the light; plus it’s lightweight and machine-washable. I used it recently on an overnight flight, and it helped me sleep through most of it!”
Little ways we stay connected…
, : : “A few months ago, I bought a set of family-friendly Table Topics question cards, and they’ve made our family dinners so much more fun, engaging, and delightful. My four- and six-year-old sons have offered up lots of untold stories from school, and it’s been fun to hear my husband’s responses (and to come up with my own!) They’ve prompted everything from serious convos about ancestors and war to silly chats about our most embarrassing moments and what we all love most about our new baby. I love them!!”:“Last year, two of my most cooking-obsessed friends and I started a ‘foodie chat’ where we text about recipe obsessions, what we’re making for lunch, and our latest culinary triumphs. Of course, when we’re talking about food, we’re really talking about everything else. It gives us a chance to check in on each other and share quick but meaningful glimpses of our busy lives in San Francisco, Denver, and DC. Long live the foodie chat!”
, : “My friend gave me this keychain with my favorite Charli XCX lyrics on it, and literally nothing makes me happier.”“When my fiancé and I are apart, we keep lists of things we want to discuss when we reunite. It helps us manage household priorities and remember fun random tidbits and gossip from our days! We send the items in our texts, with teaser titles for what they’re about. It helps build suspense if the titles have some kind of cliffhanger or clue.”
Eleanor Rineck, A Day In Her Life:
, Friendship Explained: “*Taps on my glass with a fork* Attention, everyone! Let 2025 be the year we normalize randomly gifting our friends cute lip balms. Giving a friend a little unexpected gift makes them feel loved, which makes both of you feel wonderful. This fantastic lip treatment from Rhode is under $20, and they even have tinted options.”“I was a huge Harry Potter fan as a kid, and I’m reading them with my son now. Seeing him get excited about the stories is really sparking joy. We have these unabridged and beautifully illustrated books. Also, he got the Yoto cards for Christmas, and you can use them like audiobooks on your phone.”
Things that get us through winter…
, : , : “My electric heating pad is the MVP of winter. Whether I’m curled up on the couch, tucked in bed, or stretching on my yoga mat, the gentle warmth is a cure-all for many physical and emotional pangs.” (Note from Aja: Ditto — I love this one!), :“During the winter, I love burning pinon incense. It completely transforms my home into a cozy ski chalet and costs just ten bucks for a box of forty little bricks.”
, : “For so long, I reserved candles for ‘special’ moments. But over the past year, I've lit them constantly: when I wake up early, before my kids, to work on my newsletter, during ordinary Tuesday night dinners with my husband, during evening skincare... The simple act reminds me to pause and adds a little magic.”“I live in Vermont where the winters are long and cold — you have to find ways to embrace the season. One of my favorite rituals is building fires. It starts in the early fall when we get our firewood delivery and stack it outside. Once fire season begins, we keep our wood burning stoves going until spring. I love the warm light, the smell of the burning wood, the crackle, and the slow burn of the flame. Sometimes I sit on the couch and just stare at the fire in an almost meditative state. It's one of the best things I can do to clear and calm my racing mind.”
Things we make with our hands…
Aja (me!):
“My fiancé’s dad got me this incredibly whimsical calendar for Christmas. It was very satisfying (and quick) to assemble and makes me happy every time I sit down at my desk.”
“I love my old cookbooks with notes in the margin from my mom and grandmother (my hand-me-down copy of The Silver Palate Cookbook is my prized possession), or notes that I’ve scribbled. When I revisit the recipes and see our handwriting, I’m reminded of all the times I’ve made them and the memories tied to each. For Christmas, my best friend Emily gifted me a vintage pink and yellow recipe box from the 1960s, and I am giddy at the thought of filling it with handwritten recipes on monogrammed notecards (which I've yet to order but will most definitely post about). As much as I adore NYT Cooking, a birthday cake recipe with chocolate fingerprints on the page is more delicious than anything you can read on a screen.”
Eleanor, Rabbit Fur Coat: “Quilting has made my life infinitely more delightful. It’s brought me closer with the friend who taught me to sew, opened up a new community for me both online and in the form of the Brooklyn Quilters Guild, and taught me to enjoy process as much as outcome. It’s just the right level of difficulty (I find some parts of the process incredibly easy, other parts I don’t ever think I’ll master) and variability (just as one step becomes unbearably tedious, you’ve reached the next). It also feels so good to make something tangible that I know will be used. I like to think about all of the quilts I’ve gifted out there, keeping the people I love warm.”
, :“My Ottergami journal is where I answer journaling prompts, doodle, meal prep, and do a new enjoyable hobby: junk journaling. I’m a ‘saver’ and love keeping ticket stubs and business cards to record my memories. As a kid, I loved scrapbooking; this feels like the creative adult alternative.”
Things that ground us…
, : “I fancy myself something of an Elizabeth Bennet and am ‘very fond of walking.’ We are lucky to live on a vineyard, and a daily walk has been part of my ritual for as long as I can remember. After a day at my bookstore, I love to turn on a favorite podcast and tune out the world. I slip on my trusty garden clogs — made from sustainable, waterproof, recyclable hemp — and off I go. It is so liberating to have a shoe that can do it all! I don’t have to worry about mud or damp grass or squishy grape clusters. (They are equally great at the beach and on trips to the park. Truly, there is no terrain they can’t handle.)” : , Align: “I’ve been using the Open app for breathwork and meditation for the last year. Although I’m a yoga teacher, it’s so nice to be guided in a practice by someone else — and Open incorporates sound in a way that feels both calming and energizing. People often get hung up on thinking they have to do this practice in a specific way. Lately, I’ve been practicing in bed first thing in the morning, with my toddler sitting next to me. He’ll ask, ‘Who are you listening to?” or “What are you doing?’ Sometimes he’ll take deep breaths or rest his head on my chest as I breathe.”, :“I have a nine-kilogram, four-legged Border Terrier named Dotty. This time of year she’s particularly good for the soul. Our daily walks give me 30 minutes of fresh air; I never take my phone with me (though I do have a notepad and pen in my pocket as I often have ideas when my brain isn’t being taken up with technology). Dogs are a lovely reminder that no matter what you’re facing, things are better for a good walk, some fresh air, and a full plate of something tasty.”
“Somewhat by accident, my kids and I established a beach ritual that brightens our lives (and neutralizes all bickering): sunset scooter rides at the Hermosa Beach strand. We all get a bit of exercise, some distance from each other, and a marvelous performance from Mother Nature. I actually just started a series of paintings inspired by these sacred sunset rides with my kids.”
Things that make us feel at home…
, : “I find a lot of joy in reruns. Watching reruns when you’re anxious is like texting an old friend who never surprises you with new drama. You already know the plot twists, the jokes still hit, and there’s no risk of an emotional ambush. It’s basically sweatpants for your brain. Gilmore Girls, The Mindy Project, and Jane The Virgin — yes, please.”, : , : “I do the dishes every night. I actually like doing the dishes — it gives me a moment of peace, and I usually do it while listening to my toddler and husband dance to old-school hits. This gnome scrubber was in my stocking this Christmas and makes me smile every time I pick him up.”, :“Have you heard of Candle Guy? (Aja: I had not — warning, don’t click at work.) I got this one, this one, and this one. So funny! Yes, my husband I light them for each other and get a kick out of it. They are soy wax and have very clean, relaxing, subdued scents.”
“One of my most comforting rituals is borrowed from my formidable Australian grandmother, Grandy, who lived alone after divorcing my grandfather in her 50s and worked as a podiatrist well into her 90s. A Virgo, like me, Grandy was a stickler for habits and routines, and at five p.m. every evening, she would announce, ‘It’s time for my After Fives!’ before disappearing into her bedroom to change into a floral nightgown and matching robe. She’d then pour a tiny glass of sweet Sherry to sip in her favorite armchair. In winter, when it’s dark by five p.m., I often declare to my family that it’s ‘After Fives’ time, put on my pajamas and robe, and mark the end of the workday with something yummy to drink.”
Your turn…
What’s a little thing that’s making your life easier/more fun/interesting/delightful/etc.?
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It is so nice to see a great variety of people mentioned here and not the same writers I normally see in these round-ups (no offense to them! they are great! but non algorithmic introduction to new writers is so refreshing!)! <3
So many of my favorite writers in one place!! I love it. Also, thinking I *need* that adorable desktop calendar.