A year ago today I wrote a blog post “What Makes You Happy.” You can read it HERE. You’ll notice a link to one of our favorite bloggers, LA.
In last year’s post, I included a list of things that made me happy. I thought I’d take a look and see if I can add to it this year. This is what I wrote last year.
This morning I was writing my daily morning pages and I wrote a long list of things that make me happy. I woke up feeling a little down, so my brilliant idea was to focus on what brings me joy and incorporate the things on my list in my daily life — or at least weekly. I had quite a list.
A few of the items were:
A trip to the ocean
A good night’s sleep
Working on a project I’m proud of
Spending time with family and friends
Swimming in the nearby lake
Swimming laps at the city pool
Reading a good book
Catching up with friends via the phone
Hiking
What can I add to the list? Here’s What Makes Me Happy 2.0:
Visits from my kids
Inviting friends over for dinner
Cooking
The Desert Botanical Garden
Musical Instrument Museum
Going to Costco with my husband and stocking up
Watching baby quail
Morning walks
Sunsets and sunrises
Reading blogs from my blogging community
Watching Olive the cat play
What makes you happy?
Do you find time to incorporate these treats into your weekly lives?
I like your gratitude/happiness list EA.
Thank you. There’s much more to add.
That is a good list. I think what makes me most happy is unexpected surprises: serendipities when they are least expected. If you read my blog, you know I don’t like to return to a place once I leave or finish, so returning twice to the school was somewhat stressful for me. Having visitors during the summer is somewhat stressful but they will also bring unexpected serendipities and a much needed visit. By returning to the school when I did not have to probably made me a few more friends or gained a few allies which makes me happy! Enjoy the summer!
I like that. Unexpected surprises. We have to be open to recognize them.
Yes, and we enjoyed a great breakfast at a nice spot near my school with my unexpected return visit to help find paperwork. At the end of the school year, the rooms are stripped. I was so surprised during my visit but I found all my files.
That’s sounds like a good day!
I love your list. Mine is very similar.
Thank you!
Reading, film, walk through botanic garden and museum, cooking, texting besties…and yes…I try to do as many as possible each week!
All things I enjoy, too.
I’m really happy when I have “alone ” time. Time that requires no background noise, does not require ticking boxes off the Must Do List, and requires not working around others. It allows me to be as busy or as lazy as I please and there is no need for compromises. Sometimes, we get so busy living we forget to breath.
Alone time is so valuable. I have it every day as my husband works remotely. I have no clue what I’ll do when he retires.
This makes me happy as well. I need the solitude and the space just “to be.’
I crave alone time. I always have.
Yes! I do like being social, but it’s the quiet and the solitude that recharges me.
That’s it!
Great list! I agree with Brizzy May about alone time. In retirement, it’s hard to find and so, so very precious.
You’d think in retirement alone time would be easier to find. I wonder why that is?
I guess it depends if your spouse is also retired.
So true. Within the next few years, I’ll find out!
I strongly suggest you have several discussions with your spouse re what you each expect from his retirement. It will probably be an iterative process and ongoing discussion after it starts. Several of my friends and especially me discovered that, although our spouses at first acted like they wanted to do a lot of things together, especially travel, their behaviors overtime showed they did not and we tried to adjust accordingly. Thank God for good girlfriends.
I agree with you. I was seeing a therapist for my driving anxiety and she brought up that question about my husband’s retirement. She warned me, “You do not want to become your husband’s hobby.”
Love your list E. Mine included spending time at the lake with family and friends, writing, reading, traveling, sunrise, kind people, coffee! Hugs, C
Wonderful 😊
Forgot to add what makes me happy. Reading any and everything but especially books and blogs. I learn a lot from both and both are able to take me away, like the old Calgon commercials!
I remember those commercials! I love reading outside in my backyard or at the beach when the desert is too hot.
I love your list! I think I made one a while ago. I need to do it again.
I think that’s a good idea. It makes us realize we have a lot be grateful for.