Small things you do to make your life happier

[mumof5andfat]

Just that really. In all the doom and gloom of today's world, its nice to focus on the things that make us happy.
I'll start:

• I love my toasted seeded bread in the morning with real butter.

• Due to my anxiety issues, I now drink decaff coffee (I know....but I just love the smell of coffee).

• I love my 2 cats. I love the way one of them follows me and the loud purring I get from giving them attention.

• I love getting into a good Netflix season...although have to admit, I havent seen one in a long time. I'm planning to start on The Crown this week.
• I love the peace and quiet in my house once the kids are in bed. That time is all mine and I can read up the posts on MN/read the news/watch a bit of TikTok (I know) in peace and quiet.

• It makes me happy to see my kids confident and do well academically, so I try to work with them and instill a lot of confidence in them by praise where needed (I think this comes from my own upbringing in which I was constantly put down and had no support and thus have suffered from low self esteem all my life).

• I love my mother, but I've struggled with the relationship for what seems forever. I keep very low contact with her for my mental health. (so one phonecall every week which typically lasts about 5 minutes). I still crave my mothers love, but I guess I accept that I will never receive it. So you could say thats a work in progress.
• ........hmmmmm....cant think of anything else

Good thread!

I have started swimming a couple of times a week before work.

That's all I can think of for now.

Sit in my garden every single day.

Declutter some area of my home every day.

Walk the dog 1-2 times a day.

Meditate every day.

Wriggle my feet with happiness when I stretch out on the sofa to watch tv after tea's done & dishwasher filled.. :-)

Lately, not that much because I have stressful things going on. Not sure about happier as such, but the following things make me feel more relaxed or content:

Having a nice coffee in the morning, made with my Aeropress and fancy coffee beans. It's my quiet time of the day before other people get up.

I do an online yoga nidra class one evening a week. It's more of a meditation than yoga, but the lady who does it has such a soothing voice and it really calms me.

Going for a long walk and chat with my good friends regularly - sometimes we treat ourselves to an ice cream or a bag of chips as well. I always feel better after spending time with them.

Making sure my bedroom is a clean, comfortable sanctuary. Even if the rest of the house is a bit of a mess, I prioritise keeping my room nice so I can relax in there, which includes making sure I have fresh bedsheets regularly, keeping it hoovered and tidy, putting things away.

Having a nice self care routine, including skincare for face and body. It only takes 5 minutes in the morning and evening, but it helps me feel more put together and like I'm making an effort. And my skin looks better.

I am retired now and on my own, really enjoying the simple pleasures in life.

I walk my lovely dog morning and evening and try to focus on sights and sounds around my neighbourhood.

i enjoy the simple pleasure of the company of my pets.

Being quiet and cosy in my own small home brings me contentment every day.

Clearing out unnecessary and unused stuff. Simplifying my life.

Walking dogs.
When son and grandkids drop in for tea and a loud family board game and lots of teasing and laughing.
Gardening.
Shower in my jungle shower room.
French soap
Footering about with my orchids.
Sinking into warm blissful bed at night with DH.

Cuddling my dog
Walking
Baking
Reading
A really good cup of tea
A meal with a friend
Working out
A long hot shower

Hugging dc

keeping a nice home (decluttering plants candles etc)

YouTube to relax

supplements (really help mood)

nice perfume

time for hobbies

Oh yes hugging DC. Mine still love to be hugged and even to hold hands when we walk. The older one is nearly 13 so I am relishing this while it lasts.

Curling up in bed under a cosy throw and listening to the rain

My dog - just being with him makes my heart full

Yoga

Running

Time alone

I can't afford to redecorate at the moment so I've set up Pinterest boards for each room and spend some time every week adding to them so I know exactly what I'll want when things are less tight (albeit maybe never).

I am doing a paint by numbers kit and even though I only get to do it about once a week for ten minutes because of the DC, it always brings me joy!

Buying a cheap bunch of flowers always cheers me up too when I can stretch to it.

I listen to music every day.

I have noticed my mood really dips if I don't.

I just gave my nervy ex-feral rescue cat a big big kiss on the top of her head and she licked me. That definitely made me happy.

Making nice healthy meals for the family

Long weekend walks

Excellent coffee

Making my home a sanctuary

Pilates and Yoga sessions at a lovely studio

Pets and how they amuse us

Validation and love from cats is top notch

Recently bought two sets of brushed cotton bedding - bedtime feels like such a pleasure now!

I like taking myself out for tea and cake. It always feels like a treat.

Nice notebooks and a fountain pen.

I love waking up in the night/morning and feeling the warm lump of my dog on my bed.
I love walking my dog, particularly at the moment with the autumnal colours and leaves on the ground.
I love watching Xmas movies, with my Xmas smelling candle burning, and a frothy coffee/chocolate.
I also love getting in to bed at night and reading.

Spin classes and a shower afterwards with nice shower gel

taking my daughter out for a cheap lunch and a chat
cheapish bottle of wine from aldi and a movie on my own
bit of cheap makeup, W7 from amazon
putting on some good music and having a singalong or dance

My youngest has just started school and my other child's in Y5 and as I work 3 days a week, I get 2 'off'. I do shopping and tidying on other days as those are reserved for slobbing about and doing what I want. Lovely! I know I'm lucky, I do have several health conditions, so that's how I justify it.

I play a game on my phone called block puzzle, like tetris, very basic but it really relaxes me.

Online shopping, just browsing and dreaming.

Walking alone with all the autumnal colours.

Walking in the woods
Feeding the birds in the garden
Watching a good series on tv. Especially one that my dcs can enjoy too.
Playing relaxing music and reading a good book
Visiting the library or a bookshop
Making wholesome meals and baking (undoing all the good work!)
Meeting friends
Visiting family
Drinking nice coffee in my favourite mug.
Having a clean house

I buy myself fresh flowers every week (unless someone else has bought me some, pretty rare!)

I have a real bedtime routine which I follow as often as possible. Included in this is showering with a particular higher end shower gel. This is my bedtime shower gel. I never use it at any time of the day, so it really signifies sleep to me. Sounds crazy, but whatever works!

Wonderful thread!

Go for a long walk in the local woods with my dogs every day, regardless of the weather.

Washing my hair with my favourite shampoo and conditioner, then taking my time to do a proper blow dry and style.

Doing a yoga class. I have Asana Rebel (it's fab) and always, always feel better after it.

My first cup of decaf coffee in the morning. Like a previous poster, I too love the smell.

Tidying and cleaning my house (sad but true)!

Watching a good Nordic thriller, with a glass of red wine and giving myself a full on pedicure - soak, scuff, polish, top coat, the lot.

Planting pots and getting into the garden.

I spent the last year getting rid of unnecessary 'stuff' and adopting a more minimalist lifestyle. Cannot express just how cathartic it's been.

@2bazookas - 'footering'. I love it!! I always, always kill orchids. Without fail. God knows what I do. Then My niece gave me one for my birthday. It's been 5 months now and it's thriving. I don't even breath near it.

I like to have an event to look forward to, so if I have nothing planned, I try to book theatre tickets for something way in the future. Happy to go on my own if needs be.
My 13 year old DC has just started playing piano, taking a few minutes to listen to him practise fills me with quiet joy. He's not very good, after only a few lessons, but his enjoyment in playing simple tunes well is contagious.