Look, I get it. Life can be incredibly stressful. It doesn’t matter if you have what others would see as an enviable life — you’re still allowed to get stressed and depressed. But when you do, it’s important not to totally give into those sad feelings. Which is why I made a list of 14 little things to make you happy, for those times when you need a pick-me-up when it feels like life is kicking your ass.
- Marathoning your favorite TV show. You’ve probably seen Friends a million times, so why not make it a million and one? Sometimes watching your TV friends is just easier than meeting up with your real life ones. Plus, there’s the added benefit of wearing sweatpants and not having to leave your couch.
- Petting a cat. Or a dog. Or hell, a really nice lizard. Any pet, really. But there’s something so wonderfully soothing and joyous about petting a cat and hearing that affirmative purr.
- Getting a card in the mail. Isn’t it fun to get a physical, actual birthday card on your birthday instead of a hundred Facebook posts from people you barely remember? (“Who the hell is ‘Chet’, and why did I friend him?”) Sending a card to a pal will make you just as happy as receiving one, too.
- Blasting a Taylor Swift song in your car. Or really, any music you feel guilty about listening to, though I think it’s time we all abandon the notion that ole Swifty is guilty pleasure music and instead, rock the eff out to Taylor Swift songs. I like to lip sync “Shake It Off” while stuck in traffic. I swear it helps.
- Cooking a dinner you made yourself. Or eating a desert you baked yourself! I’ve been cooking for years, and yet, it always feels like a major accomplishment to me to make a delicious meal. Sure, it can sometimes be kind of a pain to cook, but it’s all worth it after that first bite.
- Making someone laugh. Making someone laugh is like getting a verbal high five. I love to make my boyfriend laugh, because he’s quite the comedian, so when he laughs at my joke, it feels awesome.
- Buying something you need on sale. Isn’t it wonderfully satisfying to find something you desperately need and on top of that, it’s on sale? It’s like being blessed by angels. Next time you need something, do comparison shopping online!
- Waking up a few hours before your alarm goes off, and realizing you can go back to sleep. This is the BEST. FEELING. EVER. It feels like being some sort of God.
- Getting flowers for no particular reason. No, it’s not your birthday, anniversary, or Valentine’s Day; your significant other just thought they’d surprise you with flowers. Single? Buy them for yourself! Why? Because you’re awesome and deserve flowers.
- A baby smiling at you. I’m not big on kids, but my heart pretty much melts when a baby looks into my eyes and then smiles. I don’t care if “it’s just gas.” I’ll take it!
- Finishing a great book. You ever get a book hangover? It’s when you’ve finished reading an incredible book and all you can do is think about it and the world you were in. But it’s a happy hangover!
- Enjoying 5 minutes of quiet. I highly recommend taking just 5 minutes out of your day (at least) and devoting it to quiet time. I like to take my coffee onto the porch in the morning before work. It’s super quiet, and it makes me feel peaceful and ready for the day.
- Giving a stranger a compliment. I know, I know, I’m suggesting you talk to a stranger, and who likes talking to anyone, period, let alone someone they don’t know? But all you have to do is tell the woman in line at the coffee shop that you like her shirt. Or something as simple as that. Getting genuine, non-creepy compliments feels great; giving them feels great, too!
- Taking off your bra after a long day. Ahhh… sweet relief!
