Be excited! But have low expectations, I’m just your friendly neighbourhood Encouragemailer, and I got a C in English Lit at A Level.
It was Groundhog Day on Friday - good news all round as Punxsutawney Phil did NOT see his shadow and foresees an early Spring. I think I have a tan line already.
Sunrise is 27 minutes earlier now (7.37am 1st Feb), and over an hour more of sunlight compared to 1st Jan (picture of the gloomy yet light sky at 4.53pm yesterday evening below) - yeah, I’ve been feeling warmer.
You know what really makes me feel warm inside? Reading your email submissions. Not one entry failed to make me go “Yeah, life can be good :)”, and I sincerely thank you for taking time out to share your own nuggets, and pet pics, and food.
Sharing news that caused others to smile might just show that if you slow down you can find joy from the simplest of things. Compound interest? More like compound happiness.
Source: Twitter (that's all the info I have)
Love letters by Metronomy
Shrea
My nugget is being excited that we got quite a few submissions this month, I only had to blackmail half of you! If you feel someone is in need of a senseless, silly little read, then please send this over to them, it's a safe positive space for all :) (except the rat pic that you'll see in the pet segment).
Mais
Hi again,
Absolutely stunning Encouragemail. You have outdone yourself yet again!
I’ll add a little jazzy article for the next mail. It shall be named:
Overheard in the classroom and includes funny things kids say. Or ya know things that might put you off of having kids…
This week in year 1:
Child really deep in thought.. “I really can’t stand the smell of my own breath” they were very troubled by this.
“Miss Eddie (literally not my name…) someone just said a reaaaaaally bad word, it began with p and ended in oo.”
“Wow 1820 is a long time ago, were you alive then miss?”
“My mummy had me when she was 99 years old”
Can’t wait for the next edition.
My favourite thing about children is their tenuous grasp on the concept of time.
Lewis
Me after a long/stressful day in work debating breaking dry Jan (5 days to go !!!) (I didn’t break it in the end):
Amazing self control Lewis! To have what is essentially Summer in a bottle during dry Jan and resisting is admirable and respectable - hope you enjoyed your boozy brunch, an epic way to end the month!
Daisy
pls enjoy the delish persian rice arman made me
Drop the recipe, Daisy! It looks unreal, delicious, warming, comforting.
Grace
Considering January is the shittest month of the year I’ve still managed to scrape together some nuggets for you:
I actually won employee of the month in December so have been enjoying that title at work this month!!
I have also discovered my hidden talent of being unbelievable at draughts. I have beat Will consecutively in every game we play, I’m too good!!
I enjoyed my first trip to the Lake District. I now want to live there. What a beautiful place, even in the bad weather.
Finally, just a monthly reminder that I’m going to Glastonbury!!!!
Silver linings are the only form currency that are abundant and never diminishing in worth. Many congratulations on all the wins in your life, careerwise and at home! A hike can truly heal the soul, we are recommending hikes as part of your monthly routine. GLASTONBURYYYYY!!!
Naveen
Even though it’s January, it’s defo not been the worst January I’ve experienced in my 27 years! Highlights this month include:
Getting myself in a better routine, working out and eating healthily #SummerBodPending
Booking 2 holidays – Mallorca and Vienna (shoutout Dais c u @ the airport)!!!
2 weeks with my stubs – it’s not been as bad as I imagined but I miss the talons so they will be back soon (follow @faceandfits_ for the reveal)
Getting unmatched on Hinge and blocked on Insta within 7 mins of being asked on a date… where have all the good men gone and where are all the gods (insert Shrek meme here)
Getting to see Aneesha, Shrea, Neelam and Daisy for dinner (not happened at time of writing but I know it will be fun)
Happy end of the worst month of the year guys ONLY 145 DAYS UNTIL SUMMER!!!!
Please hold for summer bod (a subjective turn of phrase there is no one summer bod ). Also, the Hinge story is hilarious.
Izzy
Happy Monday Shrea! Today C4 announced they are cutting 18% of all their jobs and I just had to pay £160 for a new passport, but it’s not all bad…
Here’s my nugget:
I discovered the best sandwich ever this month. Now it’s deffo on the pricey side (£6!!) and you can only get it inside the M&S cafe, but it is worth every penny and everyone I have encouraged to try it is obsessed. If you like salmon, this will change your life. This TikTok sums it up perfectly.
Izzy coming to us with a recommendation for your lunches this month - that looks like a sealed pack of goodness, the salmon to cheese ratio, the pop of colour in the spinach, and RYE BREAD?! Unbelievable, can’t wait to try.
Molly
My nugget this month is going in lots of sunny yet cold walks with Ozzy!! sending lots of positivity and joy for February to everyone !
Demi
I started the year in a cave. Debating whether 2024 is worth coming out of it. But I
felt like a character from lord of the rings and what could be a better feeling?!?! This is your resident Gollum signing out. Keep it precious
Precious indeed! Are we all in our nature walks era? Get outside guys, touch the grass, smell the slightly manure tinted countryside air!
Lucy
The salmon sandwich
No more words needed
A second endorsement for the M&S sandwich! Everyone get out there and try it!
Harpz
Went for my first hike of 2024, so impressed with myself. It was a little muddy but we managed to complete it all without falling!
The view was definitely worth it!
Aneesha
I booked 2 holidays, one to Morocco in Feb with mum and one to New York in May solo!
Oh and I was super proud of myself with how consistent I was in my exercise routine - gym x2 a week, swim and Pilates x1!
You're smashing it! Keep going!
Dylan
I enjoyed nice walks in the countryside with great company
Me too!
Paw-lease be my Valentine?
Daisy
Enjoy bilby doing yoga x
Bilbo the Yogi dog, I’d take a yoga lesson from him!
Molly
Wearing his Christmas pressie
Ozzy is the definition of a good boy. How about those post-walk sleeps?
Jodie
Contributing this cute pic of Buddy (not a professional photographer)
Don’t need to be a photographer when your pup has hair as silky as Claudia Winkleman’s in the Head & Shoulders advert.
Not a pet pic, but this is what Jodie thinks Jeremy Allen White looks like.
The funnies
Jodie
Any fans of The Traitors here?
https://x.com/louisgaudencio/status/1750819584028909674?s=48&t=wijV6jog90V3bnyVcvEFSQ
Maisie
"My favourite video of the week.
The saying I am currently living by.
May every situation require a ‘soo la voo’."
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZGe2sBLUF/
Davina
Warning: very cute mouse content.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67902966
Another month, another laugh
Hope you enjoyed this months' edition! As always, my emails are open to receiving the good, the fun and the pretty from you all. We love good news, good food, and good boys (and girls) (referring to pets not anything weird).
I wanted to give a special shoutout to James who is turning twenty-redacted today! If you know James send him a little sonnet, and if you don't know James, you just have a swell day.
The next edition will be out on 4th March, look out for it! March the 4th be with you!