Say Yes to All the Things

Right now I’m trying to get used to the “new me”. Which if I’m being completely honest with myself, is pretty close to the “old me”. Pretty close but hopefully better. I’m older, somewhat fatter, a lot grayer but most importantly, I’ve learned quite a lot over the years.

I’ve learned that money isn’t everything but realistically has a lot to do with your level of happiness and by happiness, I mean comfort. Because you can’t be too happy and be broke and overly concerned with how your bills are going to be paid.

With that being said, young Joy used to be a lot happier despite not having a much money.

Holding stop signs in Miami...

I would always have something going on, with someone, somewhere. Always going, going, going but also discovering new things that sparked my interest. Checking out a concert for my favorite artists, introduced me to new bands. Visiting a new restaurant or venue would end in making new friends. I have never had a problem talking to strangers because the worst that will happen is someone I don’t currently talk to will continue not talking to me. Trying out a new activity may lead or introduce me to a hobby that I have always wanted to try or had never even considered until I was elbows deep in it. 

Which brings me to my new mantra for 2026. Saying yes to all the things.

At the end of the summer, I made a cool new friend. We had a lot in common and got along great straight away and he told me all about his business in woodworking. Sure… cool? But after hanging out, checking out all the somewhat dangerous tools that came with it and spending so much time in his garage, I decided I wanted to try and make something. Something super simple and useful and we decided a charcuterie board would be great! 

My pretty charcuterie board

And so I spent hours, learning how to properly sand and about grit (not the delicious kind), stains and some other things that come with it. For me, sanding was fun because it reminded me so much of massage, trying to get the board smooth and all the knots, bumps and humps out. With my board done, I continued to return to his garage and help with sanding. But soon I was helping pour epoxy and eventually using a planer to flatten other boards that we had worked on.

Now I’m brainstorming while looking at a storage unit of wood, getting hype about beautiful planks of Walnut and all the amazing things that can come of it and going to a woodworking club meeting.

With this I’ve decided to say yes to all the things. 

If something costs less than $20 and my schedule is clear, fuck it, I’m in. 

Writing club meetups at the library one Thursday a month and free; count your girl in. Mystery movie every other Monday for $5 at the theater; Sure! Surprise, we’re watching “Clown in a Cornfield”. Have a massage client that teaches sewing; Hell yeah girlie, lets make some dresses for the summer. Emo Night at that cringy bar everyone used to frequent in their 20s; Baby let’s zip up those knee high Chuck Taylors and get to it. 

And if you want to support my friend and his woodworking (with some assists from yours truly) check out Brandtbuilt Woodcraft. Link below: