1) Have a weekend mug.
I started doing this a little less than a year ago. I use my Yeti mug on weekdays but on the weekends, I always use my Berry & Thread cup and saucer. It feels special, and it means I take the time to sit and enjoy the cup while it’s hot.
It sounds kind of silly, but it makes me happy and I’m always happy to see that cup and saucer on Saturday mornings.
2) Look forward to a special breakfast or coffee day.
On a similar note, I recently declared Saturday as “croissant day.” I just buy the Trader Joe’s frozen ones, but I set an alarm Friday night to take them out of the freezer and let them rise overnight.
And on Saturday morning, we all have almond and chocolate croissants together. And I love it.
3) Special “night time” drink that isn’t alcohol. Ex: sparkling water, tea, etc.
In covid times, I found myself having alcohol more often than I’d like. I realized it wasn’t really about the alcohol, but more about having something “special” to drink in the evening.
Since then I’ve poured sparkling water in a wine class with fresh lime. I’ve made lemonade I’ll add fresh lemon slices or berries to. I’ll have a cup of tea and add some half and half. It’s just about treating myself to something that’s not water.
4) Listen to loud music in the shower.
Every now and then, I’ll play my Spotify playlists on FULL blast. And dance by myself in the shower. And it’s GREAT.
5) Don’t be so predictable.
This one is really hard for me. I’m a creature of habit, very organized and being spontaneous can be stress-inducing.
BUT, think about some of the most memorable times of your life. For me, they are times when we did things that weren’t the usual. When you decided to grab dessert at the bar of a restaurant on a whim. When you planned a last minute getaway. Having a “theme night” during the season of a global pandemic.
Those are the things you remember fondly. It’s important to off-road at times!
6) List 3 gratitude moments daily, even better if you say them out loud!
I recently heard someone recommend actually saying them out loud, and I loved that.
I try to say three things I’m grateful for that day when I’m in the shower or when I’m bathing Hudson. It feels good to be grateful.
7) Turn on a fireplace video or nature videos for background visual entertainment.
I do this all the time! Christian make fun of me, but why have a big black box over your mantle if it’s not going to show something nice?
I will turn on the fireplace and listen to the crackle. You can even watch bonfires on the beach, camp fires, lake side fires, etc.
Or we will play a cool nature video on silent and listen to music. Hudson actually really enjoys watching the fish. Christian will sometimes put on a beach video and it’s nice too.
8) Be intentional about getting at least 10 minutes of fresh air or sunshine on your face.
I can forget to do this, and it’s really so important. I remember our night nurse telling us that babies who get at least 5 minutes of fresh air a day sleep better.
And I thought, “I bet I would sleep better too!”
Bailey will be 14 this spring so while she can’t handle long walks anymore, I’ve started trying to walk her down to the end of the street and back whenever I get the mail. She loves it, I get the fresh air, and it’s a win-win for everyone.
9.) Put on real pants.
I know this isn’t going to be popular, but sometimes you just have to put on jeans or real pants. Put on a bra. Fix your hair (even if that’s just a neat ponytail). Maybe even a little swipe of lipstick.
When you wash your hands or catch your reflection, it will give you a little mood boost. You’ve still got it, girl!
10.) Put your phone in a drawer after 5PM.
Since becoming a parent I’ve done this a few times just because I’ve spaced out, and it’s so freeing. Technology-free moments are so refreshing for your mental space.
If you have any small life hacks that make you a little bit happier, please share with the class! I love incorporating small changes that bring a positive impact to my day-to-day.
Thank you so much for reading! XO –
These all seem so refreshing, thanks for sharing!
Kathleen, this is such a great post. As a mom of two young kids, I recently started drinking my coffee in a Yeti tumbler because…well, we all know why. No reheating necessary. But the weekend mug is brilliant. And I love the “phone in a drawer after 5” suggestion…the doom scrolling really hits at night when I’m catatonic. Why?? I have a perfectly nice husband I could be talking to (or at least sitting next to while watching a show). Thanks for these easy, do-able suggestions. <3
I do the SAME thing girl. I feel you! I am so glad you connected with this. I’ll try to come up with more!
This was SUCH a fun post to read! May be my favorite yet! I totally agree with the “special drink.” I will say I have trouble doing certain of these things without feeling bad (ex: eating croissants) now that’s not to say that I don’t still do it bc I do lol. But I think choosing a day of the week and dedicating whatever it is to that day, makes you feel like it’s a part of your routine and not a “terrible cheat” or a “selfish thing that I shouldn’t use my time doing.” Such a great post. Love it!
I love that mindset and totally agree! Life is TOO short not to eat the croissant, but if you look forward to it and have just one a week… why not!? I’m so glad this resonated with you – I personally love little articles about happiness. So I will try to come up with more!
I just loved reading this! Perfect ideas for a little bright spots of happy throughout our days. Thanks for sharing!
This post was a nice reminder to make everyday count! Since I barely leave the house these days I have been making myself a special drink late afternoon. Usually it’s a hot tea but I love the idea of a special mug. I’m definitely doing this today! Thanks for sharing!
Love this post so much! Saturday mornings we usually walk to the Italian store for an americano misto, I love the croissant idea though! I find it helps to have something designated for days of the week. Friday is takeout night for us. Makes more of a separation from the weekdays.
Love the idea of always having takeout Friday night. Such a great point about a separation from weekdays. Definitely adding that!
One of my favorite posts yet! It really is about the small moments that make a day so special. Thank you for sharing your go-tos!
I really enjoyed this post! It’s amazing at how little it truly does take to make you feel good. Thanks!
I love all of these!!! Thank you so much for such a great and practical list❤️
I put on my makeup every day! Not always a full face. Most days it’s just Mascara and lipstick but it makes me feel better, focused and ready to take on the world or at least a zoom call! I do it for me!
Really love this post! It’s so important to be intentional with your happiness. Make a habit to bring yourself joy! Fresh air and sunshine make a huge difference in my mood.
I love this! Looking forward to picking out my weekend mug! Also – making lemonade.. haven’t done this in ages and sounds so good! Thanks for sharing, Kathleen!
Thank you for this! I loved it so much and it came at just the right time!
The blog post I never knew I needed. First time mom here and we just hit 7 months! Motherhood is beautiful but wheewwww I didn’t realize how flippin’ hard and heavy PP can be. Definitely taking these simple moments into this next week and hopefully create daily or weekly habits with them. Love following you. Thank you for your transparency and always giving me content that is light, fresh, and relatable.
Xoxo
Ashley
Thank you, Kathleen! One of my favorite posts you’ve done! It’s really hard to be happy right now and I’m seriously gonna try to say three things I’m grateful for OUT LOUD each day. One thing we’ve been doing is going a short walk as a family 3 mornings a week. Sometimes it’s just around the block, sometimes it’s a couple miles, but it’s been super nice and I find myself looking forward to these “morning constitutionals” each week. Try it! 🙂
Love this post! great small ideas that bring happiness! I love the weekend cup/saucer ❤️❤️❤️
Loved this post!! Thank you for sharing these tips!
Ah! Love this! We just started making Saturday croissant day too! We have been making our way around the city (New Orleans) trying all the local coffee shops then going to a park to eat them outside. Our daughter is turning 1 on the 28th and it’s so much fun making this new little tradition. And it really makes Saturday’s special during these weird times.
This was so refreshing! Great suggestions
Okay wow. I am OBSESSED with this post. Nicely done, Kathleen! Cannot wait to try some of these out!
I absolutely love this post! I’d gotten into such a habit of being one of many people in work zoom meetings with the camera off, and felt so disconnected. I started setting my alarm a little bit earlier to wake up before the baby, put some jeans and makeup on and actually being more engaged at work. One tiny change and it’s made such a difference for me. I’ve noticed it also makes me so much more productive during the day, making me feel more accomplished, and therefore happier. Totally need to find a cute cup and saucer now—stealing that idea!
I love this post! Thanks for sharing. I no longer have a morning drive time, so my new daily happiness hack is listening to a podcast or audiobook when I get dressed in the morning or at lunch. And we do the special breakfast on weekends like you mention. We discovered French toast made from French bread in quarantine and it’s perfection!
I love this post! So many great things. I heard this one on a podcast recently and I’ve been doing it daily. Each day, click the search button in your photo app and type in that day’s date (no year). It will bring up all the photos you took on that date in past years. It’s a fun quick trip down memory lane and a great chance to delete a few duplicates and photos you no longer need without it feeling overwhelming! It takes less than 5 minutes and is such a fun little boost!
This is SUCH A GREAT IDEA!!! Thank you so much for sharing!
These are so wonderful and the best part is they are REALISTIC!!!! Thank you for sharing!
This was such a great post! I love the focus on creating special moments within the everyday things. I can’t wait to try some of these tips! Thank you for sharing this!
Love this! I’ve been getting dressed almost every day of this pandemic and it has truly helped my mood so much. Lately its been harder to keep motivated to do that, so definitely going to try some of these other tips. I sit at my desk all day and am really excited to put on the nature video to accompany me!
Great ideas! I love #7 when working in my classroom. Even my students enjoy a nice video on the smart board. Our favorites our from the Ambient World youtube channel! Crazy how such a minor thing can be a total mood booster.
I love this. It’s the small moments. Can’t wait for the follow up post with the best of everyone’s suggestions!
Love these!! 1-3 are my fav. Thank you!