I’ve talked about finding the happiness in today and how being happy is a choice that we make each and every single day. Many search for happiness and aren’t quite sure where to find it or how to go about obtaining it, and I am someone who believes that the answer is to create your own happiness.
“Happiness is a state of mind, a choice, a way of living; it is not something to be achieved, it is something to be experienced.”
– Steve Maraboli
In the spirit of creating your own happiness, I’ve assembled a list of easy things you can do to create happiness for yourself (and even those around you). You’ll find that creating pleasure in your life doesn’t have to be expensive or a huge production. I hope these ideas inspire you and help to bring some joy to your day!
Little ways to create happiness each and every day:
Be productive
Set a timer and tidy up or tackle a project for even just 5 minutes. Feeling accomplished can really boost your mood.
Reflect within
- Think of something you love about yourself
- Write down 3 things in your life that you’re grateful for
- Think of 3 good things that happened to you today
Experience
- Get some sunlight
- Take a quick walk without headphones in. You’ll notice so much more natural beauty this way.
- Light a candle (these soy candles are some of my favorites, they burn for so long!)
- Crack open that book you’ve been meaning to read
- Sing out loud
- Engage your senses – take in your environment
- Listen to a song you love
- Brew some of your favorite coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and relax while sipping on it
- Watch a funny movie or comedy clip – laughing is good for the soul!
- Read your favorite blog
Reminisce
- Look through old photos of treasured memories
- Reach out to a childhood friend
Give
- Do something nice for your neighbor. Make cookies, bring their garbage cans back up to the house, or shovel snow off their driveway.
- Volunteer your time to a cause that means something to you
- Send a note or flowers to show someone how much you appreciate them
Make a connection
- Call your parents for the sole purpose of asking how their day is going
- Call a friend who always manages to lift up your spirits
- Compliment a stranger (giving someone else the warm fuzzies somehow manages to have the same effect on us. Try it sometime!)
What are some simple ways you like to create happiness in your day?
Oh man, Christina, you have a way of making a post feel like a warm hug! What a gift! I love all of your suggestions and employ about half of them, which means I’ll need to employ the other half as well. Love this site! 🙂
You are too sweet Kay! Thank you so much for that, it makes my heart very happy to hear 🙂 I love your site as well, you have a knack for telling some wonderful and hilarious stories, which is a talent I wish I possessed!
Your posts are perfectly perfect, Christina! I appreciate the compliment, but I would love to write like you! I guess we’ll have to adjourn this mutual admiration society meeting ’til another day! 🙂
Haha on another day, another post 😉
This is such an uplifting post!! I love all of these tips and am going to have to implement them in my everyday life. I enjoy finding happiness in the little things – like my cup of coffee in the morning, snuggling my girls and nap time, haha 🙂
Thank you Sarah! Those all sound about right for me too….especially the elusive nap time 😉 I really relish that!
These are great suggestions! I’m glad you’re blogging again.
Thanks Sara! 🙂 I am too, I missed it a lot and am really enjoying connecting with other bloggers.
That’s awesome! Can I ask how you’re connecting with other bloggers? By commenting on their blogs, groups, forums?
Yep! I’ve discovered a few other blogs I really love and have been participating in the discussions in the comments 🙂
Great post, Christina. I love this idea -> “Write down 3 things in your life that you’re grateful for.” It seems so easy to get down on yourself and think negative thoughts. Being intentional about thinking positive thoughts seems like a great way to get in a positive mood.
Thanks David! It really is easy to become consumed by negative thoughts, sometimes just reflecting on the great things you already have can help turn your mindset around.
When I feel so stress, I do watch a funny movie or comedy clip through Youtube and it really do help me a lot. And also, if you have a child, you can play with them, I have a seven year old daughter and I always make time to play with her. 🙂
Absolutely Clarisse! I have a baby girl that I love making giggle; interacting with kids is the best way to create happiness! 🙂
I personally love Jimmy Fallon’s show and watching Youtube videos of the show. Always makes me laugh!
Thanks for sharing! I especially like some of your categories because my goals in my life are to connect, learn, explore, experience, strengthen, fulfill, and remember on a daily basis. I’ll definitely be trying some of these soon!
Hi There! I’m so glad I stumbled on to your site… I struggle with depression almost on a daily basis…. some days are worse than others and so I’m always on the look out to find a way to lift my mood… Thanks for sharing this post.. I am gonna try to do this every day.
find your hobbies and do it, it may be dressing well, eating, shopping… Anything makes you happy will create happiness