When life is full of stress and challenges (like I shared last week in What’s Been Happening Round Here), I find it helps to think about – and do! – some of the things that make me happy.
But first, I need to know what they are!
Here’s the list I came up with …
50 Things That Make Me Happy
1 – A cuddle with my Bear (aka the hubster).
2 –Β A cup of tea (yes, there is clearly a lot of English blood in these veins!).
3 –Β A nanna nap.
4 – Hugging and hanging with my kidults.
5 – Writing and blogging.
6 – Catching up for coffee with friends.
7 – Cuddles with my kitty, Miss Fleur.
8 – Cute cat videos!
9 – A clean and tidy house.
10 – Taking a shower just for the heck of it.
11 – Home cooked food.
12 – Losing myself in a book.
13 – Being a pillion passenger when my Bear rides a motorbike.
14 – Indulging in a massage from my favourite therapist, who uses aromatherapy products.
15 – Chocolate!
16 – Spoiling the people I love.
17 – Playing word games like Scramble.
18 – Talking about my business (Front Page Web Writing) and my work.
19 – Doing a great job for a client.
20 – Browsing through old photos.
21 – Feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin on a cool day.
22 – Feel good music – eg Pharrell’s “Happy”, Bruno Mars “Treasure”.
23 – Getting away from it all with my Bear.
24 – Working on a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle.
25 – Doing things as a family – eg going for a picnic (getting rare now the kids are grown).
26 – Browsing funny memes and pics on Pinterest.
27 – A good chick flick.
28 – Pottering in my vegie patch.
29 – A gorgeous view – eg beach, country, mountains, city lights.
30 – Working from home and being my own boss.
31 – Paddling at the beach.
32 – Waking up in the morning without an alarm.
33 – Watching a thunderstorm while I am safely inside.
34 – That first smell of jasmine that lets me know Spring is on the way.
35 – Being able to wear perfume after not being able to for years because of allergies (hooray for hay fever injections!).
36 – Jumping on a trampoline!
37 – Climbing into a bed that’s been made up with clean, sun dried, sheets.
38 – Snuggling under a soft blankie when the weather is cold.
39 – Finding a bargain, especially of the clothing kind – something that looks fabulous on me and not just on the hanger!
40 – Doing craft with friends and/or family.
41 – Public speaking/leading workshops in anything I am passionate about (eg blogging).
42 – Taking care of my family.
43 – Knowing that I’m looking good (eg all dressed up for a night out, or just a good hair day).
44 – Binge watching those House Hunting shows on a quiet weekend.
45 – Friendly people.
46 – Having roses from my garden in a vase on my kitchen bench.
47 –Β Good conversation.
48 – Learning new things.
49 – Being financially comfortable and not having to worry about bills or buying a new dress if I feel like it.
50 – Getting comments here on my blog!
It occurs to me that very few of these items are actually “things” … interesting!
And, that I need to make sure I do some of these more often – such as #40, doing craft with friends.
What would be on YOUR list of “50 things that make me happy”?! Feel free to borrow some of my ideas!
Ingrid says
A lot of my list would not be things either! Experiences and relationships are worth so much more. Cuddles with my kids is at the top if my list!
Ingrid
http://www.fabulousandfunlife.blogspot.com.au
Janet Camilleri says
The funny thing is Ingrid, it took me a while to come up with this list but since then I can’t stop thinking of extra things that I should add!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Oh I love this list! What a great idea – I might have to do something similar! I’m with you on the cup of tea – it really does make everything better. Chocolate, chick flicks and home cooked food are also right up there on my list of favourites and there’s no better way to start the day than sans alarm!
Janet Camilleri says
You are most welcome to pinch the idea π
Vanessa says
I had three showers in one day recently. Just because.
And I LOOOOOVE storms when I’m home. But of course as a former SE-QLD commuter yourself you know that most often you’re going through the storms…
Janet Camilleri says
Did you hear the thunder this morning? All kinds of weird at that time of day, at this time of year!
Karen Le Roux says
Something that makes me happy is reading your blog posts! Thank you for posting and brightening up my days.
Janet Camilleri says
Oh Karen, what a lovely thing to say! Thank you so much π
Denyse says
Oh what a lovely list! These are a mix of things you cannot put a price on and those ones are extra special. Getting to know more about Janet is what I did by reading this list too! Thank you for sharing! Denyse #teamIBOT
Janet Camilleri says
Bless you Denyse, think lots of happy thoughts during your recovery x
Maxabella says
You need to print out this list and keep it on your fridge. What a delight it is to read. x
Janet Camilleri says
That’s not such a silly idea – I might just do that!
Nikki@Wonderfully Women says
Most of those things would make it on to my list…minus the husband…and add coffee, lots of coffee. xx N
Janet Camilleri says
You know, it took me a while to think of 50 things but now I can’t stop!!!
Hugzilla says
Oh we have so much overlap! Cups of tea are so my thing and so are House Hunters marathons, just for starters. What a lovely list of simple pleasures!
Janet Camilleri says
My house hunter marathons drive the hubster batty, but I use the time to fold the washing usually so am killing two birds with one stone π
Alicia O'Brien says
So much good stuff here, and one’s I agree with too.
I just put Pharrell’s song on my phone to use for gymnsastics warm ups. I thought it would be upbeat and fun for the kids, plus it’s the version from Minions π
Janet Camilleri says
I remember they used it to call us back from breaks at one of the Problogger events a couple of years ago, which is a v happy memory too π
nicolethebuilderswife says
I love this post. It is so easy to forget the little things that make us happy. Thanks for the perspective. X
nicolethebuilderswife says
I love this post, we have so much to be happy about and often we forget its the little things that contribute each day. X
Janet Camilleri says
Yes, little things like a smile, a hug, and a cup of tea x
Erica Hanwright says
I rally enjoyed this post. I would love to get back into reading more. I know you have said that you read a lot. Maybe you could share what you have read each month to give us some inspiration for good reads. Just a thought?
Janet Camilleri says
Great idea Erica … stay tuned!!!!
Renee Wilson says
Great list!! So many of these would be on mine too. Love a good chick flick π
Janet Camilleri says
But it has to have a happy ending. Watched Me Before You recently and the ending of that SUCKED.
Jan Wild says
Yes to almost all the things on your list, although I am not a cat lover π Trying to knock off the sugar in this household so chocolate is a rare treat but that just means better quality when we indulge in it. I would add dreaming about an overseas trip to my list. Thanks for sharing the happiness x
Janet Camilleri says
Ooo me too! In fact lots of overseas trips … I have the travel bug. If only it would bite the hubster too!
Liz says
Love your 50 things, especially fresh clean, sun-dried sheets. Love that !
Janet Camilleri says
We are so lucky to live in a country where we can hang our washing outside π
Bec Senyard says
I love this list and many of the things are things I would do. I would love to get lost in a good book. But I find it hard to read these days. Never enough child free time. But one day I will get back to reading more.
Janet Camilleri says
Yes it is tricky when the kids are small, but keep persevering!
Julia says
My 50 things are very similar to yours!!!
Janet Camilleri says
You are your mummy’s girl!!!! xxx