Words from a Wallflower

Dancing Queen

In the house that I grew up in in Las Vegas, my family would open the windows (when it was cool enough in the mornings) and blast ABBA music through the stereo while we cleaned on Sundays. This is a simple thing, but I have really fond memories of those days, dancing and singing around the house with fresh air and doing chores. I brought that tradition back the past couple weekends.

Since being back home in Washington, I’ve decided that the weekends are largely going to be dedicated to spending time with my family and being productive around the house, giving me a break from schoolwork and taking my mind off of not going out. The first weekend I was here, my mom and I organized my room…and of course opened up the windows and played ABBA music. As for this past weekend, I cleaned the house…and once again let in fresh air and let my questionable taste in music grace my ears.

I’ve been really trying to focus on the things that make me happy, even if they’re small and silly, like Dancing Queen getting me to unrhythmically move while vacuuming my bedroom. I think it’s important to do those small things that make you happy, not only now but all the time. It just happens that I was recently reminded that this particular thing makes me happy because I could finally slow down and realize that from not going out and letting homework take over my weekends. I plan to continue it from now on.

So whether it’s sitting in the sun in a lawn chair while reading a book, coloring animals and mandalas in a color book in your 20s, or something as simple as opening up the windows, take some time every week to bask in your own happiness. Of course this is easier said than done, as it’s tempting to think that there’s something more important that should be done first, but coming from someone who often has a hard time with relaxing, it truly does help with making you feel refreshed.

I think the reason that I’m instantly in a good mood when I hear any of ABBA’s songs is I’m transported back to my childhood, and I feel the same kid-like, care-free feelings as I did over 15 years ago. And just writing about it makes me want to go play the album.