Hello,
How are you? I hope you’re well.
This week I want to share a story about small joys. And it starts with a chocolate cake.
The School Cake Competition
My son’s school had a cake competition to raise funds. We made a chocolate cake covered in smarties—full of colour and jolliness.
It didn’t win but the slices sold out in minutes.
And you know what? There were joys everywhere.
The Small Joys I Almost Missed
Making the cake with my 8-year-old the night before. Yes, there was mess. Yes, there was flour on the floor and butter icing on the counter. But we laughed. We tasted the icing straight from the bowl. We made something together.
I could have been stressed about the mess. I could have worried about whether our cake would win. I could have said “not tonight, I’m too tired.”
But I didn’t. And because of that, I got to experience something beautiful: being present with my son. Creating something together. Not worrying about perfection.
The Girl With 50p
At the cake sale, one girl came to the stall with only 50p. Each slice was £1.
I said, “Don’t worry, choose one. I’ll pay for the other 50p.”
Her face lit up. That moment—that tiny, ordinary moment—was just joy.
Not because I was being a hero. Not because it was a grand gesture. But because in that moment, a small act of kindness created a ripple of happiness for both of us.
What Small Joys Really Are
For women over 50, we’ve been taught that joy comes from the big things. The promotions. The milestones. The achievements.
But what if joy isn’t about the big things at all?
What if it’s about:
- Making a cake with your child on a Tuesday night
- Eating butter icing straight from the bowl
- Helping a little girl get the cake slice she wanted
- The mayhem of a busy cake sale
- Eating someone else’s delicious cake afterwards
None of this was Instagram-worthy. None of it was a “win.”
But it was joy and happiness.
Small Joys Aren’t the Extras—They ARE Life
The big things change your trajectory. Absolutely.
The new job. The house move. The life-changing decision.
But the small things? They make up every single day.
And when you start noticing them—really noticing them—life starts feeling different.
Not because everything is perfect. But because you’re finally paying attention to what’s already here.
The laughter. The mess. The kindness. The chaos. The sweetness.
All of it.
Your Turn
What small joy did you notice this week?
Was it:
- A conversation that made you laugh?
- The way the morning light came through your window?
- A moment of quiet with your tea?
- Someone’s unexpected kindness?
I’d love to hear. Leave a comment below or hit reply—I read every response.
With love and best wishes always, Susy
P.S. The cake was delicious. Even if it didn’t win. 😊