"Hell is the absence of the people you long for."


This quote comes from Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. She used it to close a chapter so you had no choice but to sit with the sentence. The people you long for...it stirred something in me. Something deep and maybe not sad, but not particularly happy either. Looking at the world's onslaught of news, social media, AI, influencers, pharmaceutical advertisements, consumerism, and quick to reply/make it happen atmosphere tightens my chest. What counters this anxiety? What brings me joy?


I made a simple list.


  1. Torn fabric on furniture fixed with embroidery. The idea that something isn't broken nor does it need to go back to its original form. Instead, people are creating art on the torn edges and there is meaning, beauty, and love in each stitch.
  2. Peter Pan collars. Instead of a square hard angle to collar, Peter Pan colors are those rounded soft ones. I love that they make me go back in time. I don't know what time, and I don't allow myself to research too deeply, only that they bring joy whenever I see them.
  3. Painting around light switches. There is a trend to create more whimsy in homes by making designs or scenes on your walls. I love the mini ones on light switches and low on the wall near the baseboards. You can always paint over if you want to, but why not make your home art? My favorite right now are the penguins that slide down the stairs.
  4. Botanical tattoos. Forever having nature ingrained on us as a reminder that we come from the land and will return one day.
  5. Moss. There is a joke about going to the forest and touching moss to recenter. But it's not really a joke. Moss is like the security blanket of a forest. There are no sharp edges or obvious threats (ex. some insect that will fight you rather than be stepped on, can't really blame them). The idea that an entire world of little microorganisms exist within such a soft place brings me joy.
  6. Handmade pottery. I am slowly in the process of replacing all my plates, mugs, bowls, etc. with something handmade. There is an energy and character that I can't find anywhere else. Highly recommend Duckbutt Pottery. I was able to tell their brand story, and a company named after their dog will always have my heart.
  7. Wind through trees with lots of leaves. There is a special sound to trees with leaves when the wind ripples through them. There is no other sound like it.


I asked my 9 year old daughter what would be on her list and here is what she said-


  1. Slime
  2. Rollypollies
  3. Baking
  4. School
  5. Clay
  6. Cucumbers
  7. Sandy beaches
  8. Pipe cleaners
  9. Family
  10. Plushie fabric


What is on your list? Take a moment, grab some paper and make one. List all the simple things that bring you joy. Below are photos to help inspire your list.

multiple types of moss, dark emotional nature image, Whitney Popp photographer
Close up of cherry tomatoes at farmers market, Whitney Popp photographer
Daffodil and dead nettle growing in a misty field, Whitney Popp photographer.
Little girl with bob haircut in fall woods wearing a peter pan collar dress, Virginia, Whitney Popp photographer
Flat lay of tea with blue tones and magenta pops, whimsical, branding photo, Whitney Popp photographer
Tan and white dog walking through tall grass in backyard, Whitney Popp photographer
Little feet stepping on fall leaves, black Mary janes, pink leggings, Whitney Popp photographer
White and pink flower with bokeh background in beautiful field. Whitney Popp, nature photo, photographer
Little girl in unicorn onesie eating a smore. Night time photo, Whitney Popp photographer.
Child in backward hat with swimsuit, hat has a skunk on it, emotive photo, Whitney Popp photographer
Woman looking at pottery at local market with a planter and bamboo growing out, Whitney Popp photographer