Happy midweek snack break.
What are you celebrating today?
Find something, anything.
No matter how boring, crappy or same-as-it-ever-was there is something remarkable for you to celebrate. It may be that the little red bubbble of unread messages on your phone reaches 777 (or 7,890). It may be a pen running out of ink (how many words flowed from it’s unsung tip?). It may be you finding a moment to let the sun shine on your face or drinking 8 glasses of water.
There is a thing, and you shall discover it, then honor yourself for it.
Repeat tomorrow.
Do you know about New Sponge Day?
It’s a thing. It’s not just me. And it’s not just a boring adult thing.
A new sponge is something fresh and beautiful and lovely to help clean up the crud of your life when previously that tool was grungy, skanky and overworked. Definitely file this under everything is a metaphor, but taking a moment to recognize and celebrate your new sponge will bring some joy to your day.
If you don’t have a new sponge, this is a good moment to reflect on the state of yours. Is it worth celebrating? Then perhaps it’s time from a freshie.
My personal New Sponge Day ritual may have been born from the monotony of working back-to-back yacht charters with their endless flow of dishes, or even long ocean passages with nothing new on the horizon (literally). It didn’t take long before my entire crew1 got in on the action.
me: HeY eVeRyboDy, GueSs WhaT ToDaY iS?!?!
everybody: IT’S NEW SPONGE DAY! HOORAY!!!
[Feel free to use this sample script. It also works with only one player. In these situations, both roles are performed by the same person enthusiastically.]
Here are some things I’m celebrating today:
(not every day is full of such landmark accomplishments. Yesterday I celebrated having a fridge with no slimy vegetables in it.)
negative COVID test (didn’t think I had it, but needed it for some upcoming work)
as of early this morning, 21 consecutive years of being married to the same human. We’re about 1,500 miles apart right now, so we’ll save our anniversary ritual of chocolate cake for breakfast2 for when we see each other.
today is the digital publication of a hand-drawn cookbook I made as a party favor for my self-catered wedding reception3. The party was 8 months after our actual wedding, meaning this year that cookbook turns 20 years old.
This is Lizzo celebrating not being #1:
This is Sarah Kempa celebrating procrastination:
So, Happy New Sponge Day, or whatever you’re celebrating. But you must find something to celebrate today (and every day.) Feel free to share your joy with us.
A new crewmember’s reaction to New Sponge Day told me alot about how they would be as a coworker. The best responses were directly in proportion to their awesomeness as humans. The ones who pooh-poohed the concept later revealed themselves to be toxic villians.
We eloped in a hot air balloon, which due to air currents had to take place very early in the morning. The ride was followed by chocolate wedding cake before 8am. We continue the tradition annually. Or at least we talk about it doing it.
Please don’t do this. Even if you are trained professional, it’s a terrible idea. Nobody should do cater their own wedding party, and definitely not for 120 people.