On The Sunny Side #29 is a weekly round-up where I share a few sunny things that have brightened my days, what I’m reading, watching, and obsessing over too.
Happy Sunday all, and welcome back!
I missed last Sunday’s newsletter because I was out of town at the lake with the fam. It’s the first time we’ve taken a vacation together in years, and the first time we’ve taken one with my sisters kiddos, my dog, and my parents dog. The kids did great (Bennet, not so much, poor bud gets travelers anxiety).
Minus the daycare cold I rudely came down with post-lake, I’d call the trip a success. We stayed in Saugatuck, MI and for fans of Beach Read by Emily Henry, you’ll know that’s the real life inspo of the location of North Bear Shores. AND where Ms. Yulin Kuang has been posted up this summer on what I’m assuming is a scouting trip for the adaptation of Beach Read. If there are EmHen fans out there, listen to the new Bookmarked by Reese Witherspoon podcast episode featuring the queen of the beach read herself (it’s a goodie).
Okay, moving onto today’s topic. As I’ve been a shell of myself this week, it got me thinking about small every day things in my life that make it better, and not in the OH MY GOD this changed my life way. But, in the wow my breath feels freasher, there’s less dog fur on the couch, I got an amazing night sleep type of way better. So let’s dig in!
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Chom chom roller. If you are a pet owner this is a necessity. There’s no way in hell I’m vacuuming our couch on the reg. To keep Bennet’s fur at bay (note there is no escaping it) I bust out the chom chom and marvel at how easily it picks up fur.
Tongue scraper. You read that correctly folks! Two Christmases ago I popped tongue scrapers in mine and my hubbies stockings. It was meant to be a joke that became my favorite step in my morning routine. I swear it gets rid of that bitter, stale coffee breath better than mouth wash.
Library card. I did the math and this year alone I’ve saved over $400 on books (not including audiobooks) by using my library card. That’s a roundtrip ticket to California! Using my library card makes me feel less guilty about DNF-ing (do not finish) books I’m not vibing with, plus I’ve noticed I get off the hold list faster with new releases if I request a physical copy vs. eBook.
Headspace. Specifically for their sleep scapes and ‘night music’ which I recently discovered soothes Bennet, our pup, during boughts of anxiety). I’ve professed my love for Headspace before, and it warrants another shoutout. I will keep paying the yearly subscription fee for the sleep scapes. Will I ever use if for daily meditation? We can only hope.
Magnesium before bed, but the glycinate kind not citrate—trust me, been there done that, my bowels weren’t happy about it. I started taking this to help with migraines not sleep health but love that it benefits both. I take two an hour or so before bed every night, and (not to brag, she says while obviously bragging) I often hit the 90s on my Oura Sleep Score.
Moving my body. Be it a walk, HIIT workout, or yoga. I’m happiest when I’m balancing the 8+ hours I spend shrimping over my computer screen with movement. I prefer my walks outside, but when needs must I break-out old trusty.
Notes App. Fun fact, one of my most used apps on my phone is my Notes App. I have a whole separate ‘writing’ folder where I capture small or big things for my current WIP—I’ve written entire scenes while board on a flight thanks to Notes. I also use it on my computer as a brain dump during meetings. Do I go back and look at those notes? Depends, but more importantly, I know it’s there and that’s what matters even if it means parsing through my gobbledegook gibberish.
theSkimm. We’ve been in an eight-year love affair with no signs of slowing down. I love the bite-sized content that leaves me feeling informed without sending me into a hair pulling out/rage/panic/cry spiral due to the state of our world *country*.
Hypochlorous Acid spray. My esthetician recommended I start using a hypochlorous acid spray when I was in the midst of my yoga teacher training and breaking out like a hormonal teenager. It’s become a game-changer in my skincare and I use it religious after teaching or taking any form of workout. I spritz it all over my face and chest to ward off breakouts. I’ve used and loved both, the Tower28 and the Prequel sprays.
Chia seeds. I add them to my morning oatmeal, smoothies, or yogurt to help keep things moving. To maximize the fibrous benefits let those babies soak and expand for ~10-15 minutes before eating. Or alternatively, you can buy ground chia seeds with the same results.
Oura Ring. I waffled about adding Oura Ring to this list or not (mostly due to the steep price tag and subscription), but frankly it’s had one of the most significant impacts on my every day. I have chronic migraines and since 2020 they got increasingly worse around my period. Flash forward to 2024 and I made the executive decision to go off the pill and use Oura Ring + Natural Cycles as BC. Almost within a month I noticed a HUGE decrease in monthly migraine attacks1. For that and that alone, I love this ugly-a** wearable tech device.
Your turn friends! What are a few small things that make your life better?
Until next time,
MacKenzie
please note this is only my personal experience, and I am no doctor. If you also experience migraine clusters around your period please make an informed decision based on your lifestyle.
Love the idea of small everyday joys! I've been finding joy in making lavender lattes at home.
Magnesium glycinate is my bff