More than ever before, social media rams our feeds with people living impossible lives, claiming you HAVE to go travelling or you HAVE to wake up at the crack of dawn and exercise to live a happy and peaceful life. But to that I say b*llocks!
Life is something that can be wonderful without trying, and without having to get up early enough to see it.
To me, the key to happiness is appreciating what you have, even if there doesn’t seem to be much of it. There is. By constantly thinking ‘I wish I had this… I wish I did this’ you end up chasing every little thing that you are not.
The truth is, we have so much already, and so many simple things that can be forgotten and taken for granted. This mindset needs to be broken. Humans are not perfect creatures, so there is always something to chase, something to want. This can become toxic, and create a really negative mindset resulting in a life with little gratitude.
So without telling you to move to Spain, or devote your life to vegetables and the gym – here are 41 things – simple and small – that can increase your happiness from day to day… Have fun!
- Running yourself a bath
- Have a favourite mug for your tea
- Use a pencil case again
- Watch a stream run
- Find a waterfall
- Watch ducks swimming
- Have your own theme tune
- Smell a horse’s nose (For horse lovers!)
- Smiling at strangers when you lock eye contact instead of looking away
- Smiling at yourself in the mirror each day
- Dancing to your favourite records
- Learning to make your favourite meals
- Petting animals
- Complimenting others
- Reflecting on your efforts in any aspect (home or work) and learning to be proud of it
- Saying Goodnight to yourself before bed
- Hugging someone
- Buying yourself flowers
- Listening to the birds
- Writing or reading of any kind
- Learning a random word in a new language or a word you’ve never heard before
- Charity shopping
- Finding a new way to walk to somewhere you regularly walk to
- Drawing without expecting it to be any good
- Stargazing
- Watching the sun set
- Lighting a candle or incense
- Doing a face mask (or any form of pampering yourself!)
- Traveling somewhere you’ve never been, even if it’s a coffee shop 20 minutes away
- Taking a minute outside to breathe and appreciate nature
- Taking a slow morning where you do not rush
- Playing games that do not involve technology in any way
- People watch and make up what life they have
- Hugging your childhood teddy
- Changing your bed sheets or buying new ones
- Fresh air
- Stretching or simple yoga
- Seeing a dear family member or friend
- Investing in new fluffy socks
- Investing in a house plant (can be good for the air!)
- Investing in a cosy blanket
