Mindful Calendar – Getting into the Spirit by Smiling

Today’s mindful prompt was all about getting into the spirit and feeling jolly by smiling. Such a tiny thing, really — a lift of the corners of the mouth — yet it can soften the heart and slow everything right down. I hadn’t read the card until after breakfast, so the mirror-smile will have to wait until tomorrow. Maybe it’ll be a lovely way to greet myself first thing.

The day began at 6:30. Still dark, still quiet. I slipped into the kitchen and did my usual morning reset while the kids slowly came to life — breakfast, lunch boxes, all the gentle chaos of school-day mornings. Once the house emptied, I squeezed in a weights workout. The post-shower feeling was glorious: warm skin, fresh clothes, and a burst of energy that carried me straight to my desk to write birthday and Christmas cards. I even managed to order what I hope are the final Christmas presents this year.

By the time I returned to the kitchen to make my own breakfast, I realised just how hungry I was. I threw together scrambled eggs with mushrooms, tomatoes, and spinach — bright colours in the pan — and sprinkled seeds on top before piling it all onto a slice of sourdough. I had an orange and another sourdough slice with peanut butter too. It was after 11; my body clearly needed the fuel after the earlier whirlwind.

Before heading to the shops, I treated myself to an espresso at the local coffee shop. When I smiled at the lady behind the counter, she recognised me and said, “Espresso today?” It felt oddly special — like a tiny connection forged over a warm drink. A little spark of being seen.

Even on my walk, smiles seemed to be coming back to me. I smiled at a woman jogging with her two dogs, and she smiled right back. Little human moments stitched through the morning.

Lunch was one of the salads I’d prepared earlier, and Black Bean joined me — perfect for “Friend Friday,” as I’ve started calling it. For a few weeks now, Fridays have been sprinkled with unexpected meetups, familiar faces, and cosy catch-ups. It feels like a new tradition forming quietly on its own.

After lunch, I headed to Waitrose on my ongoing quest for Tahini. Sainsbury’s has become a Tahini desert — even the staff aren’t sure where it’s meant to live. Waitrose was kinder. Straight to the spice aisle, and there it was. I also hunted for cocoa nibs, which seemed to be disappearing everywhere lately, but a determined staff member found them on her second try, and you would’ve thought I’d discovered treasure from the way I smiled.

Earlier I had stopped at Holland & Barrett for a big tub of almond butter — another item Sainsbury’s has mysteriously abandoned. Why do beloved things just vanish from shelves?

At the till, the woman in front of me offered to let me go before her since I only had two items. Such a simple gesture, but it warmed me. It felt like the day itself was nudging me with small kindnesses.

When I got home, craving something soothing, I made a cup of Pukka mint and liquorice tea. It hit the spot perfectly. Later in the afternoon I had a slice of the pear-and-chocolate Panettone our neighbours gifted us before they moved — such a lovely, bittersweet goodbye gift.

Dinner was Peanut’s choice: leek, sausage, and potato hash with a fried egg on top. Lentil wasn’t eating potatoes, so I made a separate leek-and-cheese toastie. I added broccoli to my plate — part “use it up,” part “good for me.” The kitchen was cleaned and closed by 18:00, which is always a quiet victory, and I slipped out for an after-dinner walk. The air was cool, the light soft, and the whole evening had a slow, gentle feeling.

It’s amazing how smiling — intentionally, mindfully — shapes the day. It opens tiny doors. It softens the edges. Tomorrow morning, I’ll try that mirror smile and see what it stirs.