“Look up and watch the clouds drift by. It only takes a minute but it puts your life in perspective again.”
When was the last time you did something small for yourself that added just the perfect little touch to your day? Sometimes it’s the little things you do for yourself that can make the biggest difference in your day and in the days of the people and loved ones around you.
Of course don’t we all wish we could have long, perfect, blissful days where everything magically goes our way. Days free from obligations that leave us completely free to do whatever we want. I think many of us lost those days right after our childhood. Somewhere in between running free outside making mud pies to taking hold of the driver’s seat in our first car, the days of complete simplicity faded as our lives took on more, more and more. More work, more bills, more projects, starting a family, or any other obligation or thing added to life. Somewhere along the way our lives just became’ busy’.
Yet that’s not what life should be about. Just being busy. Just being busy will make your one day fade into the next, into the next and so forth until you’ll look back and ask yourself…another month has passed, or 6 months or a year? Lives so hectic will barely leave you time to sit and catch your breath.
Yet no matter how crazy your days may seem, there is no reason why you cannot make room to sneak in things or even take away things in your day that can bring you a little bit of peace and happiness. If you practice doing so, eventually you’ll look forward to these little pockets of happiness in your day, hopefully leading you to create more of them.
Have no idea where to start? Here are 15 super simple ideas you can do for yourself to put a little smile on your face.
1 Liven up Your Home or Drive With Music
Listening to your favorite songs, whether it’s fast paced music that gives you a burst of energy, or deep meaningful lyrics that really make you think, it will liven up your space. Silence really is golden at times, but on a long drive or spending the day at home, nothing beats having good music on. Listen to the songs that make you feel good or have meaning to you. It will make your mind and heart sing.
2 Keep Your Home Clutter Free
We are all bombarded with millions of images flashing before us every single day. Keep your home or at least a small space of it clutter free. Return to this space at some point everyday to unwind. Too hectic of a day to sit down? Even walking past a space you create that is beautifully set and clutter free can help clear your mind.
3 Have a Varity of Tea on Hand
Personally, I love tea. All kinds. I must have 10 different ones to choose from. It’s such a simple thing but it brings in that little piece of happiness to my day as I sip the delicious flavor of green tea with some honey or the gentle flavor of Cinnamon Rose tea. Don’t like tea? Perhaps try different varieties of coffee flavors, or hot cocoa. Even some water with lemon. Anything that you will look forward to that nourishes your body at the same time.
4 Place a bit of Outside In.
Bring in some cut flowers or branches to add some fresh life to your space. Not only will they look beautiful, not only will the fragrance of certain flowers fill the air but it can make you feel a bit more connected to nature as well. Being connected to nature can bring instant happiness and peace of mind to all of us.
5 Eat Flavorful, Healthy Foods
Eating real (not packaged) healthy food will not only make you feel better physically but mentally as well. Don’t have much time to cook? Try making a big pot of whole grain pasta or rich wild rice that will last you or your family a couple days that can be easily added to the rest of your dinner. Or try replacing meals with a smoothie. Not only will it cut down on the amount of packaged foods you consume, but it will give your body the nutrients it needs as well.
6 Like Dessert? Eat it.
Yes, even if you’re watching your weight you can still enjoy a little piece of sweetness. The secret is not only moderation, but to keep it healthy. Try organic ice creams, or baked apples with some coconut sugar or homemade Banana Nut Bread or Chocolate Bread. If you make homemade desserts packed with hardy, healthy ingredients, there is no reason to deny yourself of the sweet tastes in life.
7 Unplug
Yes we’ve all heard it a million times…unplug from our electronics to clear our minds. Yet think about it…what did you do before you had your phone tied to you 24 hours a day, or the TV flashing images at you to end your day before you headed to bed? Put down your phone, close your lap top, turn off your TV and remember the moments in your day that really made you happy, moments that really made you smile. Can’t remember any? Well, maybe it’s a clue it’s time for you to rethink your days. Life is too short to glue yourself to a screen. Create pockets of happy memories that will last you a life time.
8 Sit or Walk Outside
Even if you only have 5 minutes, take in the fresh air, feel the breeze, watch the leaves dance upon the trees and listen to the sounds of nature that surround you. Look up and watch the clouds drift by. It only takes a minute but it puts your life in perspective again. There is a whole big world out there, yet if you don’t stop and embrace it, it’s too easy to get caught up in the mad rush of your everyday and miss it. Don’t let that happen to you. Put yourself out in nature, let it in and reap the benefits it brings to you.
9 Have a Child or Children?
I must say, even on the craziest days it’s pretty darn hard for them not to add happiness to your day. Give them an extra hug. Stop and just watch them, even for a minute. Take 5 minutes and get lost in their world whether it be playing trains, reading their favorite book, playing dolls, or simply really, really listening to what’s going on in their life. If you’re on overload and your kids pulled that last straw, then once the day is over and they are tucked safely in their bed, sit there a moment and watch them. Watch their steady breath, look at their peaceful face. Just stare at them. Realize they will be grown and gone before you know it.
10 Have a Pet?
Take a moment and sit down and give them some of the love and energy they give you in return. Look them in the eyes and remember their love is unconditional regardless of what’s going on in your life, how you feel, or what you think. Consistently they are there, waiting for your love in return.
11 Meditate
Many people shy away from this. It does not have to turn into a huge production. It shouldn’t be something to be afraid of or something you feel you’ll never be able to do. It also shouldn’t be something you feel you don’t have the time for. I have always been intrigued by it, yet it took me years to actually sit down and say ok, I’m going to try it. Now it’s the very first thing I do every morning after brushing my teeth and getting dressed. I turn on my essential oil diffuser, set my timer on my phone and sit and close my eyes for 5 minutes. I still fight my mind for wondering off thinking about things I need or want to do, but in time, with practice it is something that is extremely calming and relaxing. We all rush around day to day chasing after our obligations, deadlines and schedules. It is possible to slow down. Set your alarm 5 minutes earlier if you feel it’s the only way you can fit it in. Meditation really could be as simple as taking 5 minutes out of your day to slow down to relax your mind. Personally I feel it’s a great start to everyday.
12 Get a Diffuser for Essential Oils
Essentials oils are amazing. The power of nature in a bottle, so potent, possible of healing your mind, skin, and even some diseases. Although 100% natural, essential oils are not something to be messed around with due to their strength and powers. Yet because of their strength and powers, they can do wonderful things for you. One thing I love to do aside from making some wonderful skin creams is to diffuse them. It’s wonderful to walk into a room and breathe in the pure aroma from nature as opposed to some chemical spray from an aerosol can with a photo of a colorful flower stuck to the front of it. Every essential oil is known to do different things. Some of my favorites are Sweet Orange and Grapefruit or Sweet Orange and Lemongrass. It’s very uplifting and energizing. Sweet Orange and Lavender or Lemongrass and Lavender (Lavender known for its calming and relaxing properties) is wonderful as well and a perfect ending aroma to a long day. The possibilities of these wonderful oils are endless.
13 Use Your Own Skin Creams
I cannot believe what I have been missing all these years by not using essential oils. Their fragrance and healing powers are wonderful. Lately I have been making my own hand creams and face oils. Every single time I use something I have made I look forward to the aroma it leaves behind. It really does add a little pocket of happiness to my day. I will be posting some of my recipes very soon!
14 Get A Good Towel
Doesn’t sound like a big deal but how wonderful it feels to get out the of the shower and wrap yourself in a soft oversized towel. It’s worth every penny! You can find some really nice ones for a really great price at Home Goods. No they do not pay me to write this, it’s just my favorite home store due to their beautiful home décor at really wonderful prices.
15 Put Awesome Sheets on Your Bed
Once again seems simple but there is something to be said about crawling into wonderful, soft, clean sheets at the end of the day. Instead of having 3 or 5 different sets, invest in 1 or two nice ones. It will make such a difference to the end of your day.
The list could go on. There are countless ways to add simple little pockets of happiness to your days. It doesn’t have to cost much or anything at all. It doesn’t have to take long either. It’s amazing how much time we have to check our emails, browse the internet, spend texting or to get lost on our phones, yet feel frazzled that we don’t have time to sit and relax and do something special for ourselves.
In order to put your best self out there, you need to come first. Yet in order to put yourself first, you need to slow down and take little moments throughout your day that you can embrace in. Find little things that put a simple smile on your face, whatever they may be. If we all took the time…5 minutes here and 5 minutes there…to bring in some simple beauty to our days, we’d all be a lot happier. With practice, you might continue to find ways to add more little things that brighten your days. In time, maybe your days won’t feel like they all run into each other. Instead you’ll create these little pieces of happiness that will just make your life better as a whole.
Ask yourself or let me know…What super simple thing did you do for yourself that made you smile today?
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