Rachel Wilkerson Miller

A nice life is that little something extra.

It's I experience joy and pleasure.

And I made those things for myself.

I had agency and I made choices that allowed me to feel that little bit of sparkle, that little bit of like twinkle in your eye, that spring in your step, a little mischief.

Absolutely not.

And that to me is central.

I say in the book, it's about punching above your weight without living above your means.

It's about finding ways.

to elevate, to bring a little something extra that often doesn't cost money.

Like it could be a meaningful conversation with a friend or a neighbor.

It could be something you thrifted or got at a garage sale or found in the garbage that brings you a lot of joy.

It could be something that you make yourself and use very inexpensive materials, or again, something you found in the recycling bin.

I think people sort of know those things when they see them.

But so much of it goes back to creativity, art, and connection with other people.

So I mentioned art is a huge part of this.

And I think beauty can exist in a lot of different ways.

It could be a beautiful building or architecture or the face of somebody you care about or a flower.

I think just starting to look for it and really orienting yourself toward it is so exciting and thrilling.

And again, it helps remind you that, oh, these things exist in all these different places.

It's not necessarily about something that is expensive or that I'm seeing on Instagram that I want to buy.