1.) Watch an episode of the Ellen Degeneres show or one of her YouTube videos.
2). Watch the documentary Craiglist Joe, about a man who travels across the U.S. without money, relying on other peoples’ kindness for places to stay and eat. Faith in humanity instantly restored.
3). Buy the person behind you in the drive-thru line a cup of coffee. Various studies show that doing kind acts for others boost our own happiness.
4). Look at old childhood photos. No, not online ones if you can help it. The actual hard copies of photos that were not yet “extinct” in the 90s and early 2000s.
5). Start a nice things jar. Every day for a year, write down one nice thing that happens to you. Do not open the jar until the next year.
6). Start a gratitude journal. Each day, write down 5-7 things you are grateful for. It can be as simple as having a good cup of coffee.
7). Try going at least one whole day without using your phone, computer, or [insert other similar technology here]. Just take a day to be in the moment or to actually be with the people around you.
8). Start a bucket list. There is nothing more satisfying than crossing items off your list.
9). Read either Gretchen Rubin’s The Happiness Project or Noelle Hancock’s My Year with Eleanor.
10). Go geocaching! Basically, it is one giant outdoor treasure hunt. You can get the free app on your phone to find local caches near you. There’s nothing better than the feeling of discovering your first cache.
11). Kiss someone at the top of a Ferris wheel or roller coaster. Cliche? Yes. But I’ll bet it will make you feel happy.
12). Look at the stars on the beach at night. No cell phones allowed!
13). Have an Auntie Anne’s pretzel.
14). Listen to classic songs from the 90’s.
15). Watch The Lion King or any Disney movie from your childhood for that matter. Old Mary Kate and Ashley movies work too.
16). Buy a bouquet of fake flowers (in case people are allergic and so the flowers last longer) and hand them out at a nursing home.
17). Get a penpal from a different country than your own.
18). Treat yourself to something: flowers, a mani/pedi, a massage, or an ice cream cone. Don’t forget to love yourself too.
19). Treat yourself to a night at a hotel. Some places have surprisingly great deals and it will feel like a mini-vacation.
20). Visit freerice.com and help stop world hunger. Not only does the website allow you to improve your own vocabulary or learn new languages, but you feed others while playing on the site.
21). Go jet skiing, tubing, on a boat ride, or do some type of water sport.
22). Go for a long drive along a beautiful road.
23). Go to an indoor trampoline park.
24). Have chocolate strawberries.
25). Walk on the boardwalk and buy yourself a large lemonade.
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This is wonderful. I love it! Keep it up!!!
Thanks so much :)!
Very uplifting; happiness-inducing, indeed.
Thank you so much :)!
This is awesome, I love the nice things jar idea
Thank you Kat :)!
Reblogged this on finding happiness and commented:
Love this :). Definitely worth a shot!
Thanks so much for sharing this post :)!
Love these ideas!!! Thank you 🙂
Thanks so much :)!
Do a Random Act of Kindness. 🙂 🙂 It will make 2 persons happy simultaneously.
Yes, so true! I love it :)!
I love this! Going to try a couple of these out.
Thanks so much :)!
You forgot: 0) go to “Pursuit of Happiness” (closetoeighty.wordpress.com)!
Good point, I like that one :)!
I love your nice things jar idea. We tend to forget the good and focus on the bad.
I feel compelled to do something now! I particularly agree with the random acts of kindness one. You can make a complete difference to someone’s day, maybe even more. You can never underestimate the impact on them, or your own sense of well being.
Thanks so much and it’s so true!
Great stuff!
Thank you :)!
Reblogged this on It's My Life and commented:
All great ideas 🙂
I loved Craiglist Joe!
Reblogged this on EUROPA AND I and commented:
Recommended Reading!
Reblogged this on Om Sweet Om and commented:
This relates perfectly to my most recent blog post on our “inner-child!”
Nicely done 🙂
Reblogged this on krrichardsdotcom and commented:
Thanks for the freerice tip
Reblogged this on Life…..A Work In Progress and commented:
Hope this makes you happy like it did me!!!!
Love Ellen!! Makes me laugh all the time
I like the idea about looking at the stars. My wife and I saw movie where a couple did that. Now we want to do it.
Really? Not one of these is get really drunk and dance?
I love this! thank you for inspiring me xx
Thanks so much and you’re very welcome :)!
When I opened your blog I knew instantly that this is very similar to what I have in store for my blog. I want to motivate people, I want to inspire them, and show them that what you put out, you get back. I know this because this is exactly what wee do. Love your posts, your blog, the whole concept. I look forward to reading more!!
Aww I am so glad to hear that :)! I’m really glad I came across your blog!
❤ Ditto!!
Great list! I especially like #5 — never thought of doing that and want to. No, will! Thanks for this and all the other good ideas!
Thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy it 🙂
Reblogged this on Rosevoc2's Blog.
Thanks so much for sharing this post :)!
I did all you wrote in that list and I’m still sad. What else can I do?
Sometimes, if you smile/laugh enough, I’ve found that it tricks you into thinking that you’re actually happy, or at least happier…
Yes, that’s a really good point :)!
Read David Richo who is a mastermind at helping achieve a positive mindset 🙂
Going to try the nice things jar idea
I’m so glad to hear that!
#5 is a great idea, and #7 is always welcome. I detest becoming slave to technology.
Thanks so much and yes, exactly :)!
I like your thinking! I am feeling happier by just reading this list. Have a fabulous day 🙂
Aww I’m really glad to hear that :)!
Awesome ideas!
Thanks so much :)!
I love that list!! 🙂
Reblogged this on A Life Lived and commented:
I think I could use this as a guide to happiness. HAHA. Thanks! 😀
Very nice post. I needed this today. Thanks. 🙂
Reblogged this on Ideas in My Jar and commented:
Happiness should always be boosted
Thanks so much for sharing this post 🙂
Love this!! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Patricia :)!
I like this list because you chose simple things that can be done in a very short amount of time.
Reblogged this on monal1sa and commented:
Really like this post. Stay happy everyone 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this post :)!