On being happy and finding a new balance

                       This post is a little different than my usual posts, but I figured it's a good time to start switching it up and trying new things - after all, that's why I opened this blog, didn't I?

After getting some bad news yesterday morning (I got rejected for a scholarship I really wanted that would apply to my study abroad program) I was just sad. I had had a rough week last week - I sprained my ankle for like, the eleventh time in my life which left me in bed for a few days and I wasn't doing really well at work because I was in pain, so I was getting increasingly frustrated with how things were going... and then, on top of that, I got this piece of news.

Luckily for me, I had yesterday off and didn't have to work, so instead of staying in and feeling crappy about it and comparing myself to everybody that may have gotten that scholarship, I decided to do something different - and much better, in my opinion: I took myself on a coffee date. As I've been trying to work on my fitness, I grabbed my bike and rode to one of my favorite spots in town: Java John's, our local coffee shop.

I parked my bike, went in and bought a cup of cappuccino and a piece of carrot cake. I usually sit inside, but today I decided to sit on their patio. I pulled out my book - I'm currently reading The Awakening, by Kate Chopin (slowly tackling my summer reading list!) - and read for what seemed a few minutes but realized only after I was done were a few hours. Then, I called my sister (whom I hadn't called in a few weeks) and caught up with her and just laughed.

After I was done with my coffee, my cake and my book, I went back home and I started cooking my dinner. I had bought some chicken from the farmer's market, so I cut it up, baked it and served it with salad and some rice. I took my time to cook it, and took my time to eat it - and it was by far one of the nicest meals I've had in the past weeks (may also be because I was talking to a friend while I was doing all that)

A coffee date with yourself at Java John's is never a bad idea. Decorah weather is prime today for that ☕️🍰 #coffee #cake #summer #vsco #vscocam #vscousa #foodporn #travel #travelblog #instafood #instatravel

It sounds so silly, but sometimes I get so caught up in life, in my little troubles, in my small frustrations, that I forget to enjoy the little good things: the landscapes, the weather, the book I'm reading or the food I'm eating. I take for granted the fact that I can bike from one place to another, that I get enough options for meals and that I have a job that I actually enjoy.

Today was exactly what I needed to remind myself that I only have one life to live, one body to take care of and 24 hours in a day to do all that I want to do - even if that means I'll be watching Netflix for two hours after work, reading a book in the sun, taking a needed nap or biking the trails in the area. I'm not going to lie to you and tell you I'm never going to get caught up on the little issues, but I can assure you - and myself - I'll try my best not to.

After all, in the words of John Lennon: "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans" 


Do you relate to any of this? What are your to-go activities to feel better? What's your favourite pick-me-up song? Let me know in the comments!