Why You Need A Happy List | 50 Things That Make Me Happy

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Focusing on the negative is easy, but then life sucks all the time. There’s a movement in the works where women are taking a few moments to write down a happy list. Why take the time? Keep reading to find out why you need a happy list and 50 things that make me happy. Then I’d love for you to write your happy list and share it with me. Deal?

In another article about needing positive influences in your life, I talked about how negative influences are 4 times more powerful than a single positive influence.

Why You Need A Happy List

It is easy to complain about work, other people, the way we see ourselves, and so much more. When this happens do you feel like you’re being sucked into a negative cyclone? I do!

My career as an Industrial Engineer was often about delving into “messy situations” and sorting through the imperfect to find what works and what doesn’t. It was easy to spend my time thinking about the negative mess I discovered and wonder how it got that way.

When I found myself focusing on the negative only, I wasn’t seeing the good things that were working. The negative clouded my vision for finding ways out of the mess.

What about everyday life?

Everyday life isn’t any different. When you spend time complaining about “all the things” your mind is focused on the negative and that is clouding all the positives you have in your life.

A simple way to slap yourself out of the negative mindset is to practice gratitude and create a happy list.

Dale Carnegie said this well. I have all of these things or have wonderful memories of them, but that didn’t automatically make me happy during tough times. I needed to change my mental attitude by focusing on them, instead of the negative in my life.

50 Things That Make Me Happy

I was inspired by Tammy at One Day to make my list of 50 things that make me happy and challenged by Holly at Vintage Courage to do my own. Here’s what I’ve come up with in no particular order.

1. my husband
2. our kids (all 3 with their unique personalities and their twisted sense of humor)
3. reading a good book
4. seeing an elderly couple appreciate each other
5. connecting with my family around the campfire
6. playing games with my family
7. bubble baths
8. making time for quiet moments
9. fun dates with my husband
10. family vacations
11. quick camping getaways
12. helping people achieve their goals by sorting through their chaos bit by bit
13. homemade chocolate cake
14. sounds of our kids laughing with their friends
15. extended family get-togethers
16. cuddle time (and more) with my husband
17. seeing the family chip in to help around the house
18. a “no plans” day in the schedule
19. cheesecake (Yum!)
20. logic puzzles or sudoku (my brain’s happy place)
21. getting out of the city every now and then
22. vacations for two (just me and my love)
23. a fresh hairstyle (cut, color or both)
24. having pretty nails that I didn’t have to do myself (I never understood until I tried it)
25. watching my kids celebrate their small wins
26. taking time to celebrate my own small wins
27. celebrating my husband’s achievements with him
28. completing a kickboxing circuit at my women’s gym
29. watching my kids connect with each other
30. Christmas and all of our family traditions
31. my collection of Christmas ornaments from my travels
32. everything Autumn: hot chocolate, bright colors, my birthday, fuzzy blankets and comfort
33. my bunco ladies – I miss you all!
34. being able to design our basement renovations
35. a good glass of wine
36. being authentic
37. writing
38. my sister’s hugs
39. being able to make a baby smile or laugh
40. knowing we have people to count on when we need a village for help
41. the smell of homemade bread igniting memories of being at my Grandparent’s farm
42. memories of family sing-alongs around the piano
43. cousin memories of when we were growing up
44. taking a moment to randomly chat with someone that needs that connection
45. being able to brighten someones day with a smile or a quick wit comment
46. using routines to make my days easier
47. finding new ways to improve our chaotic life bit by bit so I have more time for family (or self-care)
48. all things hygge – comfort and connection
49. Netflix and our PVR – the freedom to watch favorite shows around the busy schedule
50. technology (when it works to simplify life)

I have either experienced these things at one point in my life or have them in my life right now. Am I happy all of the time? No. It takes a shift in mindset to appreciate my life. I must focus my energy on the positive instead of the negative. Once I do that the blessings become real and this is why you need a happy list. It helps you practice gratitude for your life.

Let me know when you do your happy list! I’d love to see it.

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