Read for a Soft Reset
Micro-Joy Mental Massage
“The deep roots never doubt spring will come.”
-Marty Rubin
To celebrate the first day of spring, and the renewal of things, here’s a list micro-joys that can be read (or visualized) anytime you need a little reset:
You are listening to your favorite music, and remembering why you should play music more often.
You just got a notification that someone liked your post.
You catch a glimpse of the full moon unexpectedly through an open window.
The smell of an old book : A book before bedtime.
You wake up before your alarm and realize you still have time to sleep.
The smell of coffee or tea brewing in the morning
Brand new clothes : Your clothes fit great.
You discover a forgotten $20 bill in your pocket : A friend pays for lunch.
Birds Singing : Feeding the birds.
Neon sunsets : Creaking boats.
The perfect pen stroke : A fresh notebook.
The smell of rain on hot pavement : Gentle rainfall on your windowpane.
You get a text from an old friend : Making plans for the future.
You hit every green light : Knowing a local shortcut in traffic.
You remember you have the freedom to do whatever you want.
Removing a sticker perfectly without leaving residue.
Breeze on a hot day : Wind chimes chiming.
A plant you’ve been taking care of sprouts new leaves.
You get complimented by a stranger : Honeysuckle in the air.
Your gas tank is fuller than you thought.
You pull a warm towel out of the dryer and wrap yourself in it.
Seeing kindness in the world : Being the kindness in the world.
Finding the exact right words to describe how you’re feeling.
Watching a pet curl up in a sunbeam : You’re not overthinking.
The moment the pain starts to fade away.
Inside jokes : They laugh at your joke.
Hot Baths : Bubbles : Self care.
Flowers Blooming : Growing your own fruit : Eating your own fruit.
You walk barefoot on soft grass : The smell of fresh cut grass.
You try a new recipe you already have all the ingredients for.
Watching a candle flicker in a dimly lit room.
You learn something new : You teach someone.
You listen to an old voicemail from a loved one.
The smell of fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.
You send a nice text to a loved one just because.
Seeing leaves swirl perfectly in the wind.
Successfully merging into traffic with ease.
Getting lost in a good book and realizing hours have passed.
You catch it before it falls : You fix it before it breaks.
Finding a parking spot right in front of where you need to be.
Hitting the exact right note while singing.
Running your fingers over a well-loved piece of fabric.
When you can’t tell whose giving or getting a hug.
Watching fireflies : Finding a show that makes you get lost in wonder.
A dog wags its tail when it sees you.
You’re laughing, and laughing, and crying.
Smelling something deeply familiar and feeling nostalgia.
Stargazing, and remembering how small we are.
You sit in complete silence and notice how peaceful it is.
Realizing you are happy in this moment, letting yourself enjoy it, and knowing you can come back here anytime you want.
If you enjoyed this please tap the heart below. It helps me grow as a writer/artist.
NJ,
This is pure soul balm.
Each line is a reminder that joy isn’t something we chase — it’s something we notice. You’ve gathered the kind of moments that often slip by quietly, yet when named like this, they shimmer.
Reading this felt like walking barefoot through a memory — soft, warm, and deeply familiar.
Thank you for stitching wonder back into the ordinary.
I needed this.
—Matt
Wonderful list!