In honor of life, I wanted to write 55 things down that I believe deserve more appreciation. Obviously, these are things that my female, 18 and ⅚ self finds joy in, and maybe you won’t agree with me on every point (like if you’re a cat person, sorry, I'm about dogs.) However, in reading this, I hope it reminds you of the “small” but satisfying parts of life that can often be overlooked. I would encourage anyone to do this, writer or not, because I believe it is important to celebrate the simple but wonderful aspects of life, especially when it feels difficult. I hope that this list makes you daydream about the lovely, unappreciated parts of life. Or maybe it will make you smile, and that is just enough for me. Happy reading!

1. When a puppy's paws are too big for the rest of their body so they just kind of...flop.
2. An additional 50% off the sale section.
3. Baked goods that you didn't have to slave over but still taste just as good.
4. When you’re in a situation that shouldn’t involve laughter, but for some reason there is no possible way not to laugh.
5. Waking up from nap and not feeling groggy.
6. Being pushed in a stroller.
7. When water is served in a any cool container.
8. Shoes that make you feel quirky and fun.
9. Looking for bugs with little kids.
10. Artwork that depicts light really well.
11. When you’re traveling and there is now one sitting next to you.
12. Listening to music and doing absolutely nothing else.
13. Confident people who aren’t afraid to be themselves.
14. When you have an Uber driver that can carry on a conversation.
15. When you have an Uber driver who feels no need to converse and just lets you look out the window, no questions asked.
16. Sitting in a car with your feet out the window.
17. When you’re surrounded by tons of trees.
18. Swinging on a swing.
19. A good handbag that makes you feel like you have places to go and people to see.
20. Patios that have twinkly lights.
21. When you remembered to shave your knees, too.
22. When a dog comes running to you and for that moment you feel like you’re in a dream.
23. When you haven’t heard a song in a really long time, and at the end of it you realize you just spat every word/lyric. Get on my level.
24. A pair of jeans that fit well AND are comfortable. Priceless.
25. When your underwear matches and no one knows but you sure as hell do.
26. When you bite into sandwich/hamburger and there is no flavor aspect that is missing.
27. Guacamole done correctly.
28. When you find something you thought was lost forever.
29. Oversleeping but somehow still arriving on time.
30. Frolicking in dresses.
31. When that weird piece of clothing that you have procrastinated getting rid of finally comes back in style.
32. A bagel with just the right amount of cream cheese.
33. When you have a sibling to talk to at family gatherings and or events where you don’t really know anyone.
34. Yelling the words to any Kelly Clarkson song.
35. When you ride the shopping cart and don’t fall backwards.
36. Finding a Starbucks when you have to pee.
37. Burlap anything and everything.
38. When you first meet someone and realize you're going to be great friends.
39. Professors or teachers who like their jobs.
40. Diving into a wave.
41. A well-decorated interior that has incorporated the holy trinity (succulents, a wood/glass feature, and a well-scented candle...)
42. When you come across a new artist/band.
43. Climbing into your bed at the end of a long day and not realizing until then that a pillow and a mattress could actually make you cry tears of joy.
44. When someone takes a good candid shot of you and there are no visible double chins.
45. A cheese board that includes dried fruit and some really hardcore crackers that are filled with seeds and nuts and all that good junk.
46. Hugging someone you haven’t seen in ages and really missed.
47. Eating watermelon with a spoon on a really hot day.
48. When little kids say a word wrong.
49. When someone does your dishes for you
50. When you write a bomb conclusion to an essay or paper. Signed, sealed, and delivered, baby.
51. When you’re reading a letter and you can hear that person in the way they wrote.
52. A matching pajama set. It doesn't get better than this, people.
53. Singing in the shower to an Adele song and hitting all of the notes, but not really, but sort of, it sounds like it, so it’s probably true.
54. Cards that have funny relatable sayings on them, and not just the generic “card-sayings”.
55. Finishing this list before my laptop died. Nailed it.