one good thing

on practicing gratitude

April hit me with a frozen bank account and a relatively small, but new flavor of body dysmorphia. Lucky me! It’s all good, though. Life goes on. I’m not entirely sure my spark has returned, but we’re trying anyway, and that’s what matters. For the month of April, I chose to focus on gratitude. I wanted to write at least one good thing that happened each day. Some are small, like giving myself permission to take a nap after a difficult therapy session, and others are exciting, like accepting my grad program offer.

Here is one good thing for every day in April

1. had a much needed cry

2. sat outside Matildas for an hour in the morning and journaled with my latte

3. found a little free library on an evening walk

4. took another long evening walk

5. saw a pretty sunset

6. accepted my grad program offer

7. worked my last shift before having a week off

8. had an excellent sandwich

9. took a nap after EMDR

10. handled something stressful

11. got a sourdough loaf from the farmers’ market

12. had a nice morning with my friends

13. went to a doctor’s appointment I really wanted to avoid! win!

14. started a new journal to define the words I don’t immediately recognize while reading

15. left work 30 mins early

16. pulled a recipe from one of our cookbooks and made stuffed shells with my fiancé

17. got dinner with a friend

18. finished a five-star read

19. got into a really good writing flow

20. had my last jones from harlem!!! what an era

21. this was a gooood day: I lounged by the pool and got a new book

22. another good day! I had one of the most comforting/nourishing dinners—a meal you’re in need of but don’t realize until you’re having it. c. and I then halved this strawberry shortcake recipe for dessert, and the Mets won

23. made avocado toast for breakfast

24. c. made my morning coffee to go <3

25. moved my body

26. enjoyed the weather

27. spent my lunch taking a walk outside

28. last shift before another 7 days off! bless!

29. celebrated my anniversary with c.

30. spent a few hours with a friend from NY while she was in town

April moments

I would love to know one good thing that has happened for you in the month of April or something you’re excited about for May.

xo, maria

⟡ a recipe for you: I go off vibes and don’t measure anything except using a whole banana and a scoop or two of protein powder.

⟡ something I’ve been loving: costco has the amylu chicken breakfast sausage links and they are v good. If you can find them, I recommend!!

⟡ a memory: iykyk! I’ll forever hold these mornings close to my heart. This space was everything phoenix needed and will be missed ❤️‍🩹