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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Hi Tiffany!
ReplyDeleteI love this post! #9 is my fave!
I just posted my "Dog Behind the Blog" post and would love for you and any other dog lovers to check it out please!
www.strolldownsomerdelane.weebly.com
Love reading what make you happy. running and spending time with my husband make me happy.
ReplyDeletewww.amysfashionblog.com
My kids, babies, doggies, flowers, sunsets, seeing others smile, cooking, baking, shopping (ONLY for food or food-related items, I don't like to shop for anything else), music, wine, coffee...
ReplyDeleteLove this!! I've tried to be aware lately about what makes me happy (Besides checking things off of my to-do list!) and to make time for those. So far, reading blogs daily has been my small way of bringing in some happy. :)
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thanks for sharing this Tiffany! Love this idea :) Things that make me happy? Enjoying a good laugh, discovering a new show or movie or book, enjoying a good meal with fun people, having a really good conversation, a hot shower, sleeping in, cloudy and rainy days, sunny breezy days, taking walks, discovering new unique places, the beach, writing stories/scripts, acting in films or theater, singing, riding a bike!
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That's awesome, Taylor! Reading blogs definitely brings me bits of happiness too, especially when I discover people who are on the same wavelength as me, like your post from yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing list! Hot showers are the best! I like to stay in them until the water starts getting cold. Those are definitely things that you can enjoy each day, especially with spring being here now! You can enjoy the sun and take a walk, go to the beach or ride your bike! I want to do all of these things too now!
ReplyDeleteHaha depending on the day, I enjoy a good alcoholic beverage as well! My tastes are pretty basic though. I'm so nervous to explore and try new things. If a bar doesn't have a menu, I panic and go with something basic haha.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great list! I also enjoy shopping for food more than anything else (besides books, but that's a different story).
ReplyDeleteThat's an excellent top 3! I love when something makes me laugh so much that I can hardly breath. I think those moments are the best (except not breathing is probably not a good thing).
ReplyDeleteThose are great things, Amy!
ReplyDeleteOh yes. Time spent with the dogs are the best!
ReplyDeletehaha thanks Tiffany. I know my bf hates it because he says I'm taking up all the hot water. lol! Too bad I don't own a bike at the moment, but definitely doing the others! :)
ReplyDeleteBoth of my girls belt out improvised songs throughout the day, which always puts a smile on my face. Radishes--I eat tons of raw radishes everyday. Digging my hands into my garden. Good, deep conversation--especially with my husband. Thunderstorms--rare in CO, so very much appreciated by this native midwesterner. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! It really is amazing what a small habit can do to change your mood and whole day. I agree that a glass of deep, dark, red wine will make any day happier. Cuddling up under a cozy blanket and reading for a few minutes is one of my other favorites. Thanks for this reminder!
ReplyDeleteI like this idea! There are a billion things that make me happy, but...cute animals, good food, awesome company, and making others happy tend to top my list on most days! <3
ReplyDeleteLove this, plus its such a fun idea! Definitely have to try it some time.
ReplyDeleteOh yea, Jon and I have an arrangement where he showers first! I wish I had a bike too! After biking in New Orleans, I've been debating getting one.
ReplyDeleteThat's so sweet! My boyfriend and I love to do that too. At first, he made fun of me for it. Now I catch him doing it. Those are all such wonderful things that bring you happiness though. I love thunderstorms too, actually. I love when the power goes out haha.
ReplyDeleteSo happy to find a fellow wine-o. Reading is definitely my favorite too! I love it.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome, Farrah! Those are all things that are on my list too.
ReplyDeleteYay! Glad you like it, Alaska! I figure we should all get as much happiness as much as we can as often as we can.
ReplyDeleteDates with my husband. Snuggles from my kids. Coffee by myself. Dinners with my girlfriends. It really is the small things that makes me happiest.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good idea because it's easy to forget to do things that make you happy when you're rushing through life.
ReplyDeleteI love this so much. I have a journal since high school that contains lists of little things that bring me happiness and joy - and I'm up to way over a thousand! It's so nice on rougher days to come home and sift through it for those instant bursts again. I'm such a fan of this Becoming Bliss series, girl! <3
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I love this! One of the philosophies I've been trying to instill in my life the past year and a half is on a block in my living room: "Enjoy the little things in life, for someday you will realize they were the big things."
ReplyDeleteYou are right. Life is just so much better and more enjoyable when we take time to be thankful!
ReplyDeleteI recently read in a book somewhere (can't remember which) about writing down each day the things that make you feel even temporarily happy or full of life. Look at your lists and find the undercurrents and similarities in those things. Those undercurrents are what you should invest more of you life and time into!
For me journaling and writing songs has been that. Making the consistent effort and time to do them is a whole other story! :)
http://abbyflynn.com
This is so perf!! More people should discover that it's the little things in life that could make people feel better in an instant. Thank you so much for sharing this! I definitely can agree with 3 & 4! Creating is such a therapeutic outlet for me, and post workout I just feel incredibly productive!
ReplyDeletexo, Morgan Grace
Fashion, Beauty, & Feminism | mgalamode.com
Oh yes, I think we can all use a little more happiness in our lives! Thanks for reading!
ReplyDeleteYay! i'm so happy I could share a little joy with you!
ReplyDeleteYes! I couldn't have said it any better myself. That's such a great way to live life every day. If you figure out what book it's from, let me know, because I'd love to read it!
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing philosophy, Tayler! I think more people, myself included, need to live by it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous because I always kept a journal in middle and high school, and when I moved, it was lost. Ugh! So sad! That's amazing that you've been able to keep up with happy lists since high school! I love it! So happy you're a fan of the series! Yay!
ReplyDeleteThat's so, so true! It's a lot easier to just get from point A to point B, but not to slow down and actually enjoy the journey from A to B.
ReplyDeleteAll such a great things!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful post and totally inspiring. Definitely going to do this and blog about it soon!! Going to check out the previous post too :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bombshellantics.com
Thanks so much, Pree! I am a lover of lists, so writing down a few things that make me happy will actually make me happy!
ReplyDeleteI love this!! Things that make me happy - travel, a good book, and spending time with friends that make me laugh (I have more, but those are the top 3!). I am definitely going to give your exercise a try...love how positive this is :).
ReplyDeleteWriting, cooking, working out for me too! And alcohol, I don't limit myself to wine. hahaha. But more importantly there is also family and close friends too :)
ReplyDeleteGreat, great, post Tiffany!! I'm going to to go make my post right Meow, because Lord knows I need it!!
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