11 Small Pleasures
Plus Two Delightful Things to Watch and Read
In this volatile social media landscape, I want to share what I love most about Substack: Your success lies not only in the excellence of the content you create but also in the strength of your relationships with other writers. Thank you, Substack community, for your support, likes (please consider tapping the ❤️❤️❤️), comments, recommendations, and genuine friendship. I’ve met inspiring and remarkable women at every turn; big hugs to you all.
One of the most delightful things I read this month was Big Salad’s (the substack from Cup of Jo’s Joanna Goddard and Kaitlyn Teer) listicle of simple pleasures. When everything — news, health, career, family — feels so big and loud, it’s nice to narrow your focus to the small and the lovely. I felt inspired to jot down a few of my own — what resonates for you?
Reading before bed — preferably historical fiction set in Victorian times — or really anything from Jane Austen or Charles Dickens.
Inviting a friend over to do a puzzle with a cup of herbal tea. Yes, I am that person that often has a puzzle going on the kitchen table, and I love to have help.
The simple act of making soup or stew for my family that simmers all day on the stove and fills my house with the scent of comfort.
Secret YouTube rabbit holes. Everyone’s got one. Mine is Bernadette Banner, a fashion historian who creates impressively accurate Victorian frippery with modern fabric on an antique sewing machine.
Crisp, cozy pajamas. Lee Cordon, the creator of the modern etiquette site Do Say Give, recently talked about the idea of “being lovely at night.” I’ll aspire to that, but for now I have my eye on night dresses from If Only If. They’re handmade in Britain and the details are very special.
Keeping cuticle cream next to my laptop. (Any nourishing oil will do, but I love both CND’s Solar Oil and Dior’s apricot cuticle cream.)
Eight-minute phone calls with friends. The New York Times recently reported that even a brief chat has a measurable effect on our well-being.
My daily chunk of 70+% cacao dark chocolate.
Getting my car washed or detailed — having a clean car makes me feel so organized! (And it’s much easier to keep clean now that I don’t have little kids tossing small bits of food into every possible crevice.)
Remember making mix tapes for all your friends back in the day? (Oh how I miss you, double cassette player from seventh grade.) These days I enjoy making Spotify playlists to share with friends or to celebrate an occasion.
Keeping a nightly journal of “accomplishments” — key for when you’re in a season of tackling a big goal. Sorry for the visual, fellow animal lovers, but the adage “the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time” holds true. Starting a skincare company has been a huge undertaking thus far. Therefore I started keeping a journal of tasks accomplished which keeps me both encouraged and inspired during difficult times.
Menopause and Perimenopause News
The 87-year-old Jane Fonda recently appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with researcher Ashton Applewhite to talk about a secret to aging well: Thinking positively about the process can add an average of seven and a half years to your life. This is one of the most inspiring things I’ve seen in a very long time; it’s a must-watch.
This week’s edition of Hotflash Inc., a substack from journalist and podcaster Ann Marie McQueen covers a wide range of health news, including why time spent in nature may be good for home health, a potential new treatment for hot flashes, and the snack that could help you strengthen your bones. If you’re not already reading Hotflash Inc and listening to Ann Marie’s podcast by the same name, you are surely missing out. This recent podcast about progesterone surprised me with some astonishing insights.
This Week’s Movement Snack
This sequence is a little bit of everything with a focus on balance and twists, including something super special — my favorite variation of twisted flamingo. Have fun with it and always remember that movement is about exploration — it’s ok to go off the beaten path and find the best pose for your body (because it may not be the one your yoga teacher is demonstrating).
Cheers to looking and feeling your best,
Susan
Susan Campbell
Founder & CEO, Phosis
Just watched the Jane Fonda video! So uplifting and validating! 🩷
Such a marvelous list. I need to return to reading more historical fiction to calm my nervous system at night--I've been on a Laurie Colwin re-binge to escape back to better times--but the Regency era always beckons in winter :)