I have celebrated three birthdays here on this newsletter, and the past two included me rounding up a list of my zests of life. I’m pretty good at personal branding and really shoved this concept down your throats:
“the zest of the life are the moments in life that make it worth living, the often mundane moments of magic that deserve to be celebrated.”
Some examples? When you have a piece of sourdough bread crust and you smother it with room temp butter and flaky sea salt. Or when your dog rests their head on a pillow like a human. Making out. You get it! I started to get tagged in Instagram stories about zests and people were constantly reaching out and sharing theirs.
For some reason, I was not in the mood to list my zests this year. Am I getting old or something, because I am tired guys!! I was even going to launch a Zest of Life themed collection and hand-draw each of them (one for each year of life). Look how cute:
But then I realized.. why would I be selling (literally) my zests to you guys? I want you guys to celebrate, discover, and take note of your own. So please, for the love of all things holy, fun, and sexy: create your own list.
But for the sake of tradition, here’s mine:
1: The sacred silence of alone time.
My mind is an actual tornado, and it’s something that I’m working on for sure.. but it’s also something I kind of accept. Whatever. When I am alone and there is silence, I can literally FEEL it nourishing my nervous system. It is so strong it’s like I can taste it. It’s such a gift. I feel it when I am going to sleep, sitting in the steam room or meditating without a guide (my new obsession)
Let me know if you know this sensation too.
2: Seashells.
I’m literally already crying you guys. I love seashells so much it aches and burns and fills my eyes with ocean water. This obsession is actually new, it was born when my mom got a huge box of seashells at an estate sale (I know…) and brought them home. We spent forever rearranging them and my inner child was on cloud 9. What the hell are they made of anyway? Ugh, I love them.
LOOK AT THEM:
3: When the weather is perfectly warm/cool that it feels like nothing is touching your skin.
4: When you realize that you’ve completely forgotten something that was stressing you out or consuming you months ago.
5: When an iced latte has the perfect creamy milk-to-ice ratio and the right amount of espresso.
6: Driving alone and listening to music.
7: Making someone you wanna kiss laugh really hard.
8: getting your hair done then getting a coffee/fun drink after (this is on my list every year)
9: Fresh fruit in Europe purchased on a whim: this is niche, but have you ever been in Europe, walking on your way somewhere and on a whim you buy a juicy pear or peach for like 20 cents and it’s best you ever had?
I have and it was simply the best.
10: Realizing that no one, especially you is perfect.
When I realized that literally, everyone is “flawed” or whatever you want to call it, I stopped being so nervous. Any celebrity, influencer, or hot barista is just a human. Just like you! Now release the tension in your jaw and let out a sigh of relief.
11: Sitting up right in a chair with your feet planted flat on the ground.
GUYS I KNOW. But it feels so grounding and actually helps me focus. I used to always have one knee bent up next to me or both feet up, but damn just sitting like a plant at a desk feels nice.
12: When your dog is excited to see you.
13: When you pick up your dog from the vet and they’re ecstatic to see you and jump in your arms.
14: Being wrong about something or someone.
15: Being right!
I’m only human, remember?
16: Pizza that is charred, but not burnt. Chewy and has moments of doughiness but is still a thin crust.
17: GETTING DRESSED IN SOMETHING THAT MAKES YOU FEEL AMAZING.
18: When someone receives or accomplishes something incredible and you don’t feel an ounce of jealousy just happiness for them.
Hey, this also means you can accomplish something amazing!
19: Hyperfixating on a meal and making it every day until you’re sick of it.
If it’s wrong to romanticize your obsessive ADHD tendencies then I already forgot about it. Oh and I don’t wanna be right!
20: An empty inbox, or, ignoring a full one.
21: Realizing that you don’t have to be accessible to everyone 24/7.
When I was younger I’d answer every call, every facetime, and RSVP yes, 100% of the time.
22: Living somewhere you love.
When I was a young gal, I would literally dream of living in a city. And now I live in my favorite part of a city I love. Whenever I take a walk, I feel like I’ve made it based on where I live alone. I like my apartment, I like my neighborhood, and I can walk to get a coffee or even a glass of wine. I feel so grateful for that alone.
23: getting so lost in a book you forget which day of the week it is
24: owning and creating a brand I am so excited about and even inspired by
25: being in a relationship that isn’t perfect, but with someone I deeply trust
26: Getting older. I love getting to know myself better each day. I love surprising myself. I love releasing old beliefs while also clinging to some. I love my dark eye bags, even.
You really need to take note of your zests and celebrate them with naivety and with all you’ve got. Because here’s the thing: life is magic if you’re the creator. Cling to this especially when things are weird as hell.
Love you guys!
Chlo
p.s. speaking of birthdays— happiest of wishes to this one. Miss you everyday Conner.
photo stolen from my sweet Tessa