I spend a lot of time thinking about how lucky I am.

Many people in New York don’t like to be told that they’re lucky. They emphasize their hard work and the struggles that they face in between the rooftop cocktails and the Thai food that’s delivered to their apartments whenever they want it, even (especially) at 3 a.m. And while it’s true that I spend a lot of late nights with my laptop, that I occasionally spend $20 on a drink, that I spend more time than most staging photos to get just the right angles and lighting – I really am lucky. I’m lucky to get to do such cool, such delightful, things as part of my every day life, things like set sail at sunset after a long day at work. I’m lucky that I don’t need to have a car, that the train goes (pretty much) anywhere I want to, any time of day. But in particular, I’m lucky that I recognize these blessings and get to soak them in.

A year ago today, my very first post went live and A Genuine Delight was born. Part of me is surprised that it’s still alive and flourishing – after all, I’m the girl with commitment issues, and it’s rare I do anything for a year straight with only myself to report to. But the photos are still being taken, the posts are still being written and I even have a fancy little content calendar. I started writing, honestly, under pressure from others – but I’ve kept it up for myself. It’s turned into a creative outlet, a project for me to focus on outside of my day job. It’s led to new friendships and to my learning fun new skills like video-making. It’s turned into something that I’m really quite proud of.

When I started blogging, I didn’t think about how it would change my daily perspective. I chose to write about the things that delight me because it’s broad, all-encompassing – this site can change with me. But I also chose it because I saw delight all around me, in the bright lights here at home and at the end of every car and plane journey I took elsewhere. But now, because so much of my life is focused on documenting the delightful, I see it even in the mundane. It’s in the crowded morning commute, which I can spend with my nose in a book. It’s in every astronomical rent check I write, which pays for a home that is more of a haven. It’s in the long, drawn-out work days, which always come to an end and often with friends.

Thanks for coming along for the journey. If not for all of you out there reading each post, this website would be meaningless. Rest assured that there is so much yet to come.

P.S. You’ll notice I bought my site a little birthday present – its own domain! Your bookmarks should redirect, but please let me know if there are issues. From here on out, you can find me at agenuinedelight.com!