Day 2 - Things That Makes Me Happy

 I'll make this challenge in a form of a list. After recalling good memories that made me smiling like an idiot and lost in thoughts for a moment, I realized there are a so many. So here it is, the things that makes me happy. 

Oh, and maybe to add the vibe, I'd recommend you to listen to Fantasy by Alina Baraz & Galimatias.

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1. The feeling before I fall asleep knowing this is going to be a wonderful sleep 

Waiting to fall asleep after a long day. Turning the 30 minutes sleep timer on my “01.21 am (& other clichés)” Spotify playlist, playing in the background. Curled myself under my blanket while hugging my pillow. The only source of light was a scented candle with the scent that filled up the whole room.

2. Enjoying the city with the right company

Time well spent by strolling around the city with my two feet, and great company. Getting lost. Using google maps as a navigator. Taking an unfamiliar transportation mode. Making a stop at any random restaurant/coffee shop. Enjoying the view. Having a little conflict. Solved them. Taking pictures and taking time to wonder how to ask strangers to take a picture of us. Recalling those memories.

3. Going on a holiday

Making a well-planned schedule. Ordering the ticket. Filling my passport. Random talks during the trip. Exploring new places for the first time. Going to a theme park. Going to the water park. Sound of the sea, salty air, and waves crawling between my bare feet. Watching the sunsets. Breathing in the fresh air, like the one that feels like the upper side of Bandung, or Puncak. Watching the clear night sky. Saw the stars and the moon clearly, while singing with friends, circling the bonfire.

4. Act of love

Bouquet of flowers. Words of affirmation. Random act of kindness. Thoughtful gift. Warm hug. Playlist/mixtape as a present. Midnight call. Doing nothing with the people I love without any guilt because it’s just comforting. Gazing through someone’s eyes and realize this person will never stop loving me and vice versa. Falling in love. 

5. Self-care

The smell of a new book. Reading a good book alone in a quiet coffee shop. A good haircut. Hearing a piece of random but good music for the first time. Making a mood board for my dream house. The smell of a good coffee. Good music video published by my favorite artist. Checking myself in the mirror and saw my reflection looking so good. Printed pictures from my analog. Thai tea to the rescue after a stressful day. Eating delicious ramen. Successfully tried a new recipe and it tasted good. Finishing a wonderful book.

6. Spending time with the right people

Talking about everything all day/night with people I value so much in life. Karaoke night with my friends. Spending new year’s eve in my cousin’s room, talking about life and other nonsense. Fully sober, but felt like flying to the constellation. Staycation. Making a new friend. Meeting old friends and realizes nothing’s changed between us. People telling me they missed me (this is tricky because most of the time it also made my heartache).

7. Being around mi familia

Hugging and being hugged by my mother. Family vacation. Laughter. Seeing my father’s happy face. Watching random Indonesian movies with my late grandmother at the theater. Visiting my Padang’s family. My little brother randomly telling me stories about how his life is going.

8. Achievements

Good grades. Good news. Good fortune. New experiences. Being chosen. Graduated. Seeing others successfully achieved what they've always wanted.

Voila! Just realized there are a lot of things to be grateful for. Still, those things don't last forever, but that's exactly why those are very precious. That's why I cherished every moment, and hold it dearly close to my heart.

Bintaro, 2 Oktober 2020

With love, D.