Last week, Modern Mrs. Darcy challenged her readers to list what’s saving their lives right now. “This practice calls me to pay attention to what I’m dwelling on, and to intentionally look for the good,” she wrote in her call-to-action post. When we focus on what’s saving us instead of what’s dragging us down, we’re happier and more grateful. And that gives us a little extra strength and resilience when things get tough.

In other words, it’s never been more vital to know what’s saving you.

Today I’m joining other MMD readers and listing 5 things that are saving my life right now. I’d love to hear from you, too! List your 5 things (or more, or less) in the comment section or on the social media posts. Give yourself a lift by intentionally looking for the good. They can be big things, small things– whatever makes you feel like life’s worth living.

(A note: I know that the act of listing 5 things that are not related to basic survival makes me privileged. I have my basic survival needs covered: a job, healthcare, my own health, quality childcare, a warm home. I am grateful and humbled that I can use the term “saving my life” hyperbolically and not literally.)

5 Things That Are Saving My Life Right Now

1. Baking.

Last weekend, I baked my first batch of bread from a sourdough starter begun on Inauguration Day (I named it “Harris”). I posted pictures on Instagram and Facebook (rare for me) but if you missed it, here are the results:

I had no idea baking bread was such a process. After the 4 days needed to ferment the starter, I figured I’d just knead it, let it rise, and pop it in the oven. Right? WRONG. The process outlined in the Zingerman’s Bakery cookbook (the one I used for this life-altering chocolate cake) took TEN HOURS from start to finish. No wonder bakers get up so early! The dough had to rise 5 times, for 1-4 hours each time, so I didn’t get it in the oven until late afternoon. But oh, man. It was so worth it. It really came out like a professional bakery loaf. And I loved the process too; it felt like a full-day special event. I’m planning to bake bread again this weekend (keeping “Harris” going).

2. Sleeping until 6:00.

Last year my alarm was set for 5:10 every weekday, or sometimes 5:25 if I was truly exhausted. But one of the nice things about being a remote teacher is that I don’t have a commute. For many weeks I was still getting up that early, before I realized I didn’t have to. I set my light therapy alarm clock for 6:00, which means the light starts gradually increasing at 5:30. I usually get up somewhere in between, but I feel so much more rested. I’m actually getting eight hours of sleep for the first time in my adult life.

3. My fake massage chair.

Thanks to Sarah from Pantsuit Politics, who recommended it as the “best thing she bought” in 2020, I ordered a shiatsu shoulder massager. It’s been life-changing. All the knots in my shoulders that I get from hunching over a desk or doing a punch-heavy workout are now gone every single night. A few weeks later I added a foot massager too, and I put them both next to the gliding rocking chair in the living room. Every afternoon, and sometimes again in the evening, I sit in my faux-massage chair and let my new gadgets get rid of all my stress.

4. Geography.

Yes, literal geography. My 8-year-old got a game called “The World Game” for Christmas and he’s OBSESSED with it. I love geography too, so we’ve been spending every evening (and sometimes breaks during the day) playing the game and poring over the map of all 194 countries. Did you know that there are a ton of micro-islands around Australia? Did you know that Vatican City is its own country– and it’s not the only country that is completely enclosed within another country’s borders? I’ve finally memorized the countries in South America and I’m slowly working on Africa. It’s so much fun to learn about the world through maps!

5. BetaBrand Pants.

I discovered these pants in the fall when I was looking for something that looked camera-professional (sometimes my pants do show when I stand up to teach!) but comfortable enough to wear around the house and maybe handle a mid-day workout. I’m always skeptical about grand claims of “bestness” or extreme loyalty to a brand, so you can take my word for it that these pants truly fulfill every need. They are soft. They are a deep, luxurious black that does not pill or attract pet hair. They stretch every which way. They look good with shoes, boots, and flip flops. In short, they are perfect. I now have five pairs. (Three of them are the classic Dress Pant Yoga Pants. Yes, I need three.)

What’s saving your life right now? Tell me in the comments, or post it on social. Let’s focus on the happy stuff!