Last week I created a ‘happiness list’. The message to ‘do what makes you happy now’ keeps popping up in my life from various sources, so I decided to take action.
For so many of us, we often get into a cycle of making our happiness conditional. For example, “I’ll be happy when…I’ve paid off my debts…I have the home of my dreams…I find my soulmate.” But the reality is that we can bring happiness into each and every day and it’s not something that we need to put on hold.
If you believe in the ‘woo’ side of life and that like-attracts-like, then bringing happiness into your life on a daily basis could help you actually attract more of the good stuff into your life. And if you don’t believe in that, it’s still worth creating a happiness list to inject a little more enjoyment into each day.
Creating a happiness list
Creating a happiness list is super easy. To begin with, start to think about the things that you enjoy doing and that bring happiness into your life. Focus on the simple things which don’t cost the earth and that you can make part of each day such as reading, catching up on your favourite series, making time for a hobby etc.
As you ponder these things, start to write down the ones that really lift you. You’ll notice which they are as they’ll be the ones that you find yourself wishing you had more time for or they’ll make you feel good just by thinking about them. Try to come up with at least 10 different things to add to your happiness list.
Take action – create happiness
Once you have your list, try to do at least two of the activities each day. Don’t allow guilt to creep in or for your mind to stray to what you ‘should’ be doing instead. You could spend all day ‘shoulding’ all over yourself. Put those thoughts aside, you’re allowed to take some time each day to focus on you.
Place your happiness list somewhere that you can see it each day. You could even use Canva to make a screensaver for your phone or to create a beautiful version to frame. But, more importantly, be sure to take action. – it’s time to take control and add little bursts of happiness to your day.
Try it for a week or even 30 days and watch your life transform. Don’t be surprised a little magic happens along the way. Better still, make it a lifetime habit.
It’s time to take control and add little bursts of happiness to your day.
Psst…If you’re interested in self-development and creating a life you love then check out my book, Seasons of Change.
Image courtesy of Alex Block