I started planning a birthday cake for Hakavai a few months before he turned one.
I wanted to make him a cake from the classic Australian Women’s Weekly cookbook. You know the one.
I spent weeks deciding which design to choose. Should I go with the cricket one, to acknowledge his dad’s playing days?
What about the little pig? But then I was like, wait…. will guests at his birthday be offended?
I dunno!
Eventually I selected the shark cake.
I was so excited about it. I stayed up late Googling construction ideas. Our oven was broken, so I bought pre-made cakes from the supermarket instead. I ordered triple quantities of icing sugar and food colouring and trimmed the cakes while they were still frozen.
This thing took hours to get just right!
And when it came together… offft 🤎
It looked magical and delicious and delightful. The guests at the party were like wait, did you make that?
And smugly I was like, “Yep, yep I did!”
Hakavai was frothing when he saw his shark cake.
Afterwards I felt sick from all the cake I’d eaten. It was awesome.
And to say I got a lot of joy out of this whole process would be an understatement.
The cake tasted like a kid’s birthday cake, so that wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.
But it was the process and the anticipation of making the cake – researching the designs, ordering the cakes, planning it all out, imagining Hakavai’s face when he saw it.
That’s what made it joyful.
And it got me thinking.
We all need things to look forward to.
And apparently, there’s a name for this: ANTICIPATORY JOY. Because the very act of anticipating joy in the future, actually helps us to feel joy right now.
Think about how good you felt last time you were anticipating something.
Maybe it was the last chapter of your book. Or a romantic getaway. Orrrrr making a cake for a loved one.
And so today, I’d love you to do something.
On a piece of paper or in your notes app, write a list of things you’re looking forward to this week.
It doesn’t have to be boujie things like going to France with your lover.
Focus on the small things.
Maybe you’re looking forward to going for a walk with your family tonight?
Meeting a friend for a glass of wine?
Getting into your bed with clean, fresh sheets?
Think about those small things that make you feel good.
Go on. Allow yourself some anticipatory joy.
