Becoming Bliss | Creating a Happy File

One of my favorite parts of college was being an orientation leader. Everything about it was so exciting. It's what made me really fall in love with my university, and then I became passionate about sharing that love with all of the new bulldawgs coming to Louisiana Tech. I became really close to fifteen people rather quickly, and they were like my little summer family. 
Becoming an orientation leader is what helped bring me out of my shell. While I do have my introverted moments (and many of them), I usually like to be outgoing and just outright weird (#ESFJ). Being an orientation leader brought me so much happiness in the simplest of ways, and one of my favorite ways was with the creation of a happy file. I guess it wasn't technically a happy file per say, at least not at first. I created a happy file on my own with the help of OSL. 
Being an OSL was like taking a class. We really had to learn about the university and take tests, and this was all done in a private little classroom. On the wall of the classroom hung paper bags with each of our names on them. We were instructed to write down nice things about one another and put them in the bags. This was done sporadically and randomly and pretty much anytime that you noticed your fellow orientation leaders doing something awesome. 
It always amazed me how I was viewed in the eyes of others. I never thought of myself of funny or clever or witty, but all of these notes said otherwise. And what did I do with these notes? I put them in what I now call my happy file. All of the little warm fuzzies that my summer family wrote for me were put into a file, and anytime that I'm feeling down in the dumps, I pull it out and read them. 
Since my OSL summer, which was in 2010, I've added to my happy file. In it are cards and notes that say nice things about me, pictures of amazing memories that I love to relive, inspirational quotes and photos and so many other things. Whenever I need a pick-me-up, I pull out my file. Just reading and seeing all of these things instantly pulls me out of my foul mood.
I know everyone has their different processes to pull themselves out of anger or sadness or any other unhappy emotion, but I want to challenge you to create a happy file for yourself. Pull out old greeting cards, print out some fun pictures, get on Pinterest or Etsy and print out or order some inspirational quotes or printables, scour the internet for memes or photos that make you laugh. Anything that makes you smile should go in your happy file. When you're not feeling 100%, take out your happy file and let that help you turn your mood around. 
I hope your day is full of happiness!
What things would go in your happy file?
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Becoming Bliss | Stress Less

I don't know about y'all, but it feels like spring has been taking a toll on me. Between working full-time, keeping up with my blog and the Blogging Elite, filming and editing videos for my YouTube channel, working on a special project, and attempting to have a social life, it's like I don't even know the meaning of the words "free time" anymore. I'm about ready to pull out my hair (and maybe I should because it's been growing a lot lately - hellooooo split ends). 
When I have too much on my plate, it's hard for me to let any of it go. I run around like a chicken with it's head cutoff (and I think we all know that's not a pretty sight). Luckily, I've come up with a few ways to help me stress a little less.
WRITE IT ALL DOWN I've always been a very visual person, so if I see a list of all the things that I need to do written down in front of me, I can immediately feel a little more calm. Seeing it all laid out allows me to look at each thing I need to do, prioritize by what's most important and cross things off when I finish them. It gives me a sense of accomplishment because I can actually see my list getting shorter as I finish each task.
GET AWAY Sometimes when it all seems like to much, the best thing for you to do is step away from all of it. Instead of mentally replaying all of the things you need to accomplish in your head, get out and do something that has nothing to do with anything that you need to get down. If you're an athletic person, you could go for a run. If you're a writer, you could go old school with a paper and pen and go to town. If you're a reader, crack open a book (this one is my favorite). You could even just turn on Netflix and enjoy an episode of your favorite show. Giving your brain a break may be exactly what you need to do in order to re-energize and refocus. 
BLAST SOME MUSIC Music has such an effect on me. If I'm listening to sad music, I'm instantly put in a sad mood. If I'm listening to dance music, I usually want to get up and dance. If I'm listening to happy music, you bet I'll be smiling by the end of the song. No matter what music you're into, it can really help to put your mind in a better place and really just help you loosen up and let your mind wander elsewhere. If you're anything like me, you'll end up dancing by yourself in your living room. Alternatively, you could go for a drive and blast the music to help clear your head a bit. 
TAKE A BUBBLE BATH There's not much I enjoy more than soaking in a steaming hot bubble bath with my tablet next to me with Netflix on and a glass of wine nearby. It really is my own personal paradise. Even if you're like Chandler Bing and don't appreciate the greatness of a good bubble bath, you could also just take a hot shower and give your brain time to rest before you get back to the grind. 
CALL SOMEONE UP Sometimes when you have a lot of stuff going on, what you really need is a friend, someone to listen to you and talk you and help you through all of the stress. Sometimes talking it out is the best thing you can do for yourself. Next time you're stressed, dial your best friend or closest relative and let the rant session begin. 
BREAK A SWEAT I know when I'm working out or physically exerting myself in any way, I'm usually focused on my body and my breathing, not my endless to-do list. Go for a run, do some yoga, lift some weights, do some push-ups, get out in the sunshine! 
LAUGH I am a wholehearted believer in that laughter really is the best medicine. Laughter pulls me out of the foulest of moods. Call up a friend ask them to tell you a funny story. Go on YouTube and watch a series of hilarious videos. Watch your favorite comedy show on Netflix. Whatever you do, just laugh your little heart out. 
DRINK SOME WINE This may not be backed by scientific fact, but I know that when I drink a glass of wine (or even take a shot if I'm feeling extra classy), it instantly relaxes me. I think I've mentioned a time or two that my love affair with wine is so real, and just taking a few minutes to enjoy a glass helps take my mind off of the many things I need to get done. 
What are your favorite ways to de-stress?  Share it in a blog post, and link it up below!

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Becoming Bliss | Creating a Happy Playlist.

Even when I'm having the crappiest of days, there's just something about listening to an uplifting song that can pull me right out of it (even if it's just for five minutes). Even though I have no musical abilities whatsoever, music has always been a huge part of my life. Whether I'm on my daily commute to work, putting in my headphones for a workout, or even in the shower, music is almost always playing. 
I love Spotify, because 1) a couple years ago, my external hard drive crashed, and I lost almost all my music (and pictures, but that's still a little depressing to talk about), and I didn't feel like going through and re-downloading all of my songs, so I just got a Spotify account. As I mentioned in my What's On My Samsung Galaxy S5 Active video, I have tons of Spotify playlists - some for moods, some for when I'm doing something like working out or going to bed, some are for certain genres of music. I just have lots of playlists, and my most frequently played playlist is my "Happy" playlist. 
My "Happy" playlist features of a mix of songs that are either inspirational or make me want to get up and dance or just songs that I'm obsessed with at the moment that instantly put  me in a better mood. Like I said before, music helps pull me out of the foulest of moods, which is why I want to encourage you to create a happy playlist of your own. 
These are a few songs on my "Happy" playlist:
This Head I Hold by Electric Guest This is one of my favorite songs to get ready to in the morning. The beat is toxic, and I can't help but dance. 
Favorite lyrics: See the answer is this / If I wanna be free / I gotta stop playin' round and runnin' from me

Geronimo by Sheppard I love the beat of this song. It really just makes me want to get up and dance. It also makes me feel like I could do anything and everything is a possibility.
Favorite lyrics: We can make this leap / Through the curtains of the waterfall

Give Me Something by Alex and Sierra I feel like I haven't stopped talking about Alex and Sierra. I mentioned them in my last newsletter and in my March Favorites video. I've tweeted about them, and it's all because of my friend, Nina. She suggested them to me on Spotify, and I've been listening to them every day since.
Favorite lyrics: It can be a lonely world / I want forever times forever

Gold by Owl City This song is so inspirational, and I really want Owl City to make a music video for it. I just loving to the "go-oo-oo-oo-old" in the chorus, as well as the rest of the song.
Favorite lyrics: So write it all and don't forget / You gotta tell us your story / Shout out to the friends back home / Shout out to the hearts you've known / You gave them nothing but the best / And you can tell them your story

Happy (cover) by The Gardiner Sisters It wouldn't be a happy playlist without the song "Happy." I love this acoustic version of the song by the Gardiner Sisters. I love how goofy they are. 
Favorite lyrics: I should probably warn you I'll be just fine

To hear all the songs on my "Happy" playlist, you can check it out here. I also want to encourage all of you to create a happy playlist of your own!
What songs are on your happy playlist?

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Becoming Bliss | What Makes You Happy?

What makes you happy? Traveling? Going to concerts? Attending weddings? Eating a gourmet meal? 
When I think about the things that make (or have made) me happy, I usually go to the big things that happen every once in awhile like taking a road trip or being at the beach in Italy or meeting Jared Padalecki. Thinking about doing all of those things always brings me a little bit of joy, but at the same time, it makes me a little sad because they aren't things that I can just go out and do. In fact, some of the things that have made me super happy may never even happen again. And while living in nostalgia is a wonderful thing to do (because I do it all the time), living in the present can be even better if you focus on the little things that make you happy. 
The first post in the Becoming Bliss series was all about enjoying the little things. Go back to that and think about the little things that make you happy. Take out a pen and paper (or open up a new Word document) right now to write down 15-20 things that you can do every month or every week or even every day that bring you joy. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
1// Writing - Doesn't matter if it's a poem, a song, a journal entry or a writing prompt 2// Cooking - Some people find joy in creating delicious cuisine 3// Painting, drawing, pottery, etc.  4// Working out - running, yoga, zumba, weights, cardio, etc. 5// Picnics 6// Drinking wine 7// Netflix binges  8// Talking to a loved one 9// Taking the dog out for a walk or just going for a walk by yourself 10// Discovering something new to do (or eat) in your town 11// Enjoying a hot beverage - coffee, tea, hot cocoa 12// Staying in bed as long as possible 13// Making new friends 14// Giving back/paying it forward
Once you've written down a few small things that make you happy, I want to challenge you to do one of those things every single day, no matter what mood you're in. I don't care if you had a crappy day at work or if you're overwhelmed with school or if you just had the most humongous fight with your significant other. No matter the circumstances, try to do one of the things on your list each day, because doing so will bring some bliss and happiness into your life and your day, even if it's just for a moment. And who knows? It could be the difference between having a crappy day and having an amazing one. 
What's something that makes you happy? 

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Becoming Bliss | Spend Time With People You Love

This past weekend, my sister was visiting from college, and we were able to meet up and have a lovely brunch together at a local hole-in-the-wall restaurant called Marilynn's Place. What made this brunch extra lovely was that it was just the two of us, uninterrupted. No phone calls, no text messages, no Twitter alerts. It was just us catching up on the craziness that life can sometimes be.

Favorite meal of the day with sister #sisterdate #brunch pic.twitter.com/NCgvFy8fWk
— Tiffany Khyla (@tiffanykhyla) March 15, 2015

I think it's so important to take time out of your busy schedule to really spend time with the people you love. Getting an unexpected text message from an old friend is great, but really taking the time to meet up with them and really catch up means so much more. Even if you can't physically be together, you can schedule a FaceTime or Skype date so the two of you can catch up and spend some time together, but not together.

The sad reality is that none of us are going to be around forever, and you don't want to wait after a tragedy and wish that you had just spent more time with this person or made him/her a priority. It's so easy to get bogged down in our day-to-day lives, going through the motions and claiming that we're tired and just don't have time. Even a thirty minute chat at a coffee house is better than nothing. There are so many ways for you to get more involved in the lives of your loved ones or even acquaintances that you used to be much closer to:

-- Use your lunch break to catch up with an old friend. You're going to eat lunch anyway; you may as well use it as a time to spend with someone you haven't seen in awhile.

-- Meet up with someone for drinks after work. Take advantage of happy hour drink and appetizer prices. Share some appetizers and dish on the latest happenings in your lives.

Happy hour #appletini 🍸

A photo posted by Tiffany Khyla White (@tiffanykhyla) on Feb 20, 2015 at 5:01pm PST

-- See a matinee showing of a movie with your family. Even if you don't want to dish out a bunch of cash, you can still catch up on the latest movie with a discounted matinee showing. Share some popcorn and spend a little extra time together after the movie discussing what you did or didn't like about it.

-- Throw a themed party. This is a great way to get together with several different people you haven't seen in awhile. I'm a huge fan of themed parties. Even if a holiday isn't coming up, you can still set a theme such as a craft party, a party centered around a movie or book you love, a Minute to Win It party or a wine tasting party. The possibilities are endless.

-- Have a game night. Let your competitive side show and play a few games with some friends. It's a great ice-breaker for those that may need it in case there's a little awkwardness there from having not spoken in such a long time.

As you get older, your group of loyal friends starts to diminish, but don't let it diminish to nothing. Spend time with the people who love you unconditionally and with the people you love just as much. Make an effort to have those people in your life regularly, not just in your news feed updates. Put down the phone and really focus on being present.

What are your favorite things to do with the people you love?

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Becoming Bliss | Enjoy the Little Things

Exciting news, y'all! I'm starting a new series called Becoming Bliss where I'm going to be sharing ways for you to bring a little more bliss into your life! I'm so excited about this new series, and I hope y'all keep coming back to get a little more inspiration each week. 
Today, I want to talk about enjoying the little things. I feel like everyone has seen the quote "Enjoy the little things," but sometimes, that can be easier said than done. When you're living your life from day-to-day, you're not thinking about how the little things impact you. If you're like me, you may catch yourself living life in auto-mode. You're not living in that moment, instead you're thinking about what you need to pick up at the grocery store when you get off work or whether your favorite TV show is set to record. You're not living in the moment. 
My advice is to slow down. Take time to really live your life. Stop thinking about the future for just a little bit and live in the right now. Enjoy the present now instead of reminiscing about it in the future. Take time to really taste that glass of wine. Take advantage of a ten-minute cuddle session with your significant other before you both fall asleep. Enjoy a short walk around the block with your dog. The little things add up to big things; and the little things are what make you grateful for what you have. Don't take advantage of little things you have and don't let those moments pass you by, because some of those things are what others only wish they could have. 
Here are a few little things that I enjoy: - Slipping into my pajamas after a long day at work - The wagging tails of my dogs when I get home - A cold glass of sweet wine - Hugs - Themed parties - Kissing Jon goodnight before he goes to bed - A compliment on my hair, whether I think it looks good or not - Reading a book under the lamplight before I go to bed - Connecting with someone through my blog or YouTube channel - Getting something in the mail (especially when it's unexpected) - When someone tells me they're proud of me - Being compared to someone I admire - Breaking out into song - A phone call from someone I haven't spoken to in awhile - Hitting 'publish' on a blog post that I'm really proud of - Game nights - Blowing on a dandelion and watching all of the seeds fly away - Pillow fights with Jon - Hearing a song that sparks a wonderful memory - Spontaneous dance parties - Sifting my feet through sand - Brunch - Long showers with music
What are some of the little things that you enjoy in life?

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