I don't always find the glitter and that's ok

Today we spent about 15 minutes driving to a mini farm. We stayed for about an hour.

Nothing extraordinary happened. There were no big celebrations, no special occasions, and no grand adventure.

We walked slowly. My daughter touched some animals for the first time. She fed them too. We watched her curiosity take over as she looked at each animal with wide eyes. We followed her pace instead of rushing from one spot to another. We took our time and enjoyed the moment. It was simple. And somehow, it made me happy.

On the drive home, I realised something. I've spent a lot of time writing about finding glitter. Finding glitter in comments. Finding glitter in rainy mornings. Finding glitter in ordinary moments. But today reminded me that sometimes we don't find the glitter. Sometimes we create it ourselves.

Living overseas can be expensive. I think many people who live away from home understand this feeling. Sometimes I find myself caught between wanting to save more and wanting to enjoy life right now. There are always things to save for. There is always a future version of ourselves that we want to prepare for. Another part of me wants to create memories with my family while our daughter is still little.

Over time, I've realised that balance is what keeps me sane. It's a system I've practiced ever since we had our baby. If we decide to go out somewhere, we might eat at home instead of eating at a restaurant. If we spend a little more in one area, we save a little more in another. Not because we have to be strict. But because we're trying to make room for both things.

The future matters. But so does today. I don't want to spend every moment worrying about tomorrow. And I don't want to spend every dollar pretending tomorrow doesn't exist either. Somewhere in the middle is where I find peace.

Today's outing wasn't expensive. It didn't need to be. What mattered was the experience. Sometimes creating glitter looks like a family holiday. Sometimes it looks like a simple outing to a mini farm.

For one hour, we stepped away from our usual routine. We watched animals. We walked together. We made memories. And perhaps years from now, my daughter won't remember this exact day. But I will. I'll remember her tiny hands reaching out to feed an animal. I'll remember how slowly we walked. I'll remember how full my heart felt during such an ordinary afternoon.

It made us smile. It gave us something to talk about on the way home. It gave our daughter a chance to experience something new. And that's enough. I've learned that happiness doesn't always arrive on its own. Sometimes we have to make space for it. Sometimes we have to plan it. Sometimes we have to create it.

Today's glitter wasn't something I stumbled across. Not something I accidentally discovered. But something we intentionally created together. A little family outing. A little fresh air. A little joy. A little glitter. And that's something I want to remember more often. 

There's something beautiful about that. Because while saving for the future is important, filling our cups today matters too.

At least for our little family, balance is what helps us do both. When life feels heavy, maybe we don't always have to wait for glitter to find us. Sometimes, we can create our own.

Lots of glitter,
mageta .✦ ݁˖

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