As we venture into December it feels timely to undertake some active noticing of what is going well. Someone will want to punch my Christmas lights out for starting this discourse, but I have no intention of gloating; this blog is a note to self to stop incessantly sighing and to show a little gratitude for the small wins.

To add some context, this blog is also a shout out to those (they will not be named) who have experienced some proper belly punches over the last few months and still manage to notice their rainbows. These champions keep turning up, keep finding solutions and keep factoring in some self deprecation to keep things ‘real’. As Kurt Vonnegut advised us, we would do well to toast the small daily things with, ‘if this isn’t nice, what is?’

‘Easy for you.’ I hear you eye roll, but as we have discussed many times previously, I am not a natural Pollyanna. Recently I have let the bad weather, health of loved ones and work load detract from the, ‘if this isn’t nice’ vibe around me. So here goes for some positive noticing. I give you:

• Hearing from my future son-in-law who wants to know if I can find the ‘fat fairy’ that used to grace the top of our family Christmas tree; he is keen to gift it to my daughter when they buy their first Christmas tree together. Far be it for me to fat-shame a fairy, but I have always loved this bauble for her joie de vivre and bold choice of pink tutu. I am secretly thrilled to infer that Favourite Daughter must have spoken to her chap about her childhood Christmas tree for him to know about this fairy and, as I have never known anyone love Christmas as much as my daughter does, I cannot imagine this porcelain sugar plumpkin going to a better home. If this isn’t nice, what is?
• Sitting under a blanket watching ‘The Holiday’ with Himself while nursing a glass of red wine (one glass each, admittedly we have gone wild). Strictly speaking it is too early for a yule-tide film but ‘rules’ are made for breaking and we cannot find ‘Die Hard’ at short notice. It is also throwing down an unseasonal storm outside.
• Going for a morning run in torrential rain (stay with me). Such a lovely feeling of smugness when I realise no-one else has braved the weather and that no-one can see me wading/hear me swearing through the ford that has submerged the road on my return. I am muddy, cold and wet, but thankfully my Strava has recorded this epic feat (I AM the local legend) and Himself – after calling me a ‘running weirdo’ from under the duvet earlier, has rallied and put dressing gown and towel to warm on the Aga for my return. Nothing nicer…
• Finding a yoga class where the teacher finishes the session by placing a warm eye pillow over my furrowed brow. I feel grounded and a little emotional. I have even walked to class after a busy working day, so I float back up the hill to my cottage feeling very sanctimonious afterwards. The sky is cloudless and star lit. My chakras have been smoothed. Nice.
• Exchanging messages with my Oldest Friend each morning – usually nothing major, but so satisfying to know that someone just ‘gets you’ and shares the same dark sense of humour and irreverence about life. Admittedly she has got her work life balance much more sorted than I have i.e. she messages to say she is not working Friday and has skipped the gym for a glass of fizz at the hairdresser – but if that isn’t nice, what is?
• Getting told off – twice in the same week – for being too chatty at boot camp. This is ‘nice’ because on both (respective) occasions I am speaking to fellow boot campers who are in an excellent and chatty mood – the first because her daughter had just got married and we were debriefing and the other because this boot camper is showcasing her new toucan tattoo and she is interested in my tattoo of choice if I ever follow suit. Both chats were worth the burpee forfeit (#dragonflyifyouareinsterested).

All this positive noticing has put me in an excellent frame of mind, although I admit that I am going to finish this blog on one big flourishing cheat – a nicety that is making me grin from ear to ear.

While Kurt was advising us to recognise the happiness in daily life rather than to hold out for major life events, I think he would have been more than happy to see me dust off any December blues and embrace my inner giddy kipper to ride the wave of excitement to the wedding of Favourite Son to Favourite Future Daughter in Law next weekend (see back blog catalogue for the trajectory of wedding fervour which arcs our arrival at this major life event).

I now look forward – shamelessly – to a week full of daily happinesses. I know it is not my wedding but it will be the most special day for my Favourite Son and his bride (who is very much more than ‘nice’, incidentally). It will be no chore at all for me to pack my suitcase(s) even if I do have too many outfits and an unflattering pink tutu as a Mother of the Groom insurance policy, and I am more than excited about a road trip North with Himself for I am self-appointed Travel Sweets and Podcast Monitor. If this is not a flipping fantastic turn of events Kurt, what is?

December, with or without Christmas lights and tinsel, I greet you with a sigh of delight.