The Things that Make You Happy

Lists are wonderful things. Lists for places to go and things to see. Packing lists, shopping lists, to-do lists, and more. Whether you add or cross things off your list, they are the best way to keep track of what you’ve done or what is left to do, what you want to remember. And life is complicated. It is messy. It can be scary, lonely, and strange. When things don’t go as planned or they take a turn for the worse, sometimes a little cheering up is necessary.

Sometimes, I find a little solace in lists. Alphabetized or organized by importance. Typed up or scribbled by hand. Carefully thought out or quickly assembled. Lists become a collection of sorts. Things that are too important to forget.

So when those things do not go as planned, or they don’t turn out as you expected they would, make a list of the things that make you happy. Whether you fill it with people or places, things that give you the warm fuzzies or just stuff that makes you smile–it should be a long list.

I recently decided it was time I made a list of my own. In no particular order, here are a few of the things that make me happiest:

1. Being snuggled under a cozy blanket
2. Chocolate frosted donuts
3. Cuddling with puppies
4. Finally receiving a package in the mail
5. Old board games
6. Trying something for the first time
7. Vending machines that accidentally drop more than one item
8. Crispy colored foliage and falling leaves
9. Paddle boarding
10. Decorating for the holidays
11. Hearing a favorite song on the radio
12. Solving a difficult puzzle
13. Chamomile tea
14. Clouds that look like magical creatures
15. Kind people
16. Rabbit hugs and kisses
17. Fall-scented candles
18. Using new watercolor paints for the first time
19. Sleeping in after a long week
20. Creamy smoothie bowls
21. Juicy peaches
22. Mismatched dishes
23. Finding something you thought was lost
24. Learning something new
25. Crime show marathons
26. Gloomy, rainy autumn days
27. Falling asleep during a long car ride home
28. Scarves
29. Giving the perfect gift to someone special
30. When your horoscope is ridiculously accurate
31. Tiny potted plants
32. People-watching in airports and coffee shops
33. Unexpectedly running into someone you haven’t seen in a while
34. Receiving good news
35. Floating in the ocean
36. Strangers who smile when they hold the door
37. Zip-lining
38. Any baby animal
39. Basically any animal ever
40. Feeling the warmth of the sun in your bones
41. New stamps in your passport
42. Bubble baths
43. Not having anywhere to go or anything to do
44. Laughing with friends over silly things until you can’t breath
45. Live music
46. Kaleidoscopes
47. Watching infomercials in a hotel room
48. Riding a bike by the beach
49. Calligraphy and typography and beautiful words
50. When a new recipe comes out perfect on the first try
51. Really long hugs
52. Ice cream in any form–cones, cups, sandwiches, and floats
53. That “extra” hour (of sleep) when the clocks go back
54. The first snowfall of the year
55. Napping in city parks
56. Coloring books
57. Towels or sheets fresh from the dryer
58. Breakfast for dinner
59. Elephants
60. Star-gazing
61. Hand-made holiday cards
62. Looking through old photographs

Make a list of your happy things, if you don’t have one already. Keep it tucked in a pocket or post it on a wall. Look at it every day or only when you need it most.

What is on the list?