appreciation post

I have lots of hobbies and every now and then, a new project sparks my interest. On top of that, I'm constantly shopping and hoarding everything - filling our house and lives with my collections of memorabilia, dresses, ceramic cake stands & tea sets, adopting pets and just creating chaos & making a general (organised) mess.

My husband has been an unwavering support throughout my endeavours, patiently helping me with my recreational pursuits even when he did not share my enthusiasm for certain decisions. Whether it was training our dogs, finding the perfect table to showcase my Victorian dollhouse, or untangling my gold necklace for the umpteenth time, he would handle it for me.

I want to publicly say thank you to the person who picks up the slack so I can explore my interests and chase my dreams - however big, small or unconventional they may be. I appreciate and love you.

fun

One of my favourite pastimes is searching for toys from my youth, seeking to revisit the nostalgic memories of my childhood. While sentimentality plays a significant role in my collection, it isn't the only reason. Sometimes, I purchase these toys purely for the joy they bring. Acquiring a unique and cherished item brings a sense of delight, wonder, and childlike excitement.

My friends were intensely dedicated to collecting these plush toys and one of them went to great lengths, visiting multiple McDonald’s branches to hunt for a missing Snoopy. The amount of Happy Meals they consumed in their quest to acquire the whole set was nothing short of astounding. I didn’t partake in the frenzied pursuit of these toys, confident that I would eventually find the complete series on eBay. As it turned out, my intuition was correct and I was able to obtain the entire collection without going through the hassle and stress of searching for each individual piece... 21 years later.

Fun is a desperately underrated benchmark by which we assess our quality of life. We often apply seemingly more 'adult' measurements to our investments in education, career paths, financial stability, or relationships. These are important, meaningful criteria shaping major life decisions, forming a checklist we hope will make us better and happier individuals. While necessary, these aspects can be painfully boring without their radical counterpart: fun.

Why do we not seek fun, or worse, forget about it entirely? Frivolous, innocent, clean fun - the kind that makes you feel like a kid again.

dollhouse

I spent my childhood daydreaming about having nice things and a Dollhouse was on top of my wish list. My parents did not buy me one, but my dad worked for a factory that manufactured hospital furniture and he brought home the “faulty” tables for my sister and I to play with.

fall out boy

The tongue is our most handy and powerful organ. We use it to taste, swallow, and speak. It is sensitive, sensual, practical, and destructive. In its beneficial mode, it can lavish praise, deliver engaging presentations, teach, offer insightful advice, provide comfort and support, resolve problems, build friendships, and forge strong bonds.

In its most harsh manner, it can be used to tear us down with disrespectful words, initiate rumours and lies, spread gossip, destroy reputations, and dismantle relationships. The most detrimental use of the tongue is for gossiping. The popularity of the tabloid press confirms the power of gossip and its significant impact on our lives. “It’s just so entertaining,” we say.

I admit to this toxic habit, defending it as harmless fun driven by curiosity or boredom, without malicious intent. However, I have recently realised that gossip is a misdeed not only to those slandered but also to those manipulated in the process. Even if the information shared is true, no one appreciates being talked about, and it is neither kind nor appropriate to discuss someone else’s business.

Words once spoken can never be taken back; they don’t have wings, yet they can fly a thousand miles. Think before you speak. "Words cut deeper than knives. A knife can be pulled out, but words are embedded into our souls." Gossiping never ends well, but it at least tests people’s loyalty, filters out false friends, and reveals who truly supports you.