Author Fenna Semken posing with flowers on her recent vacation, yet another part of her life that she has found happiness in.
After a day of long emails, a hard test or getting rejected, happiness can be hard to grasp. The little things, most of the time, can add up to make even a hard day a good one, but when the small bits of happiness cannot give you what you need, just remember:
Drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter day
Riding a bike with fall leaves all around you
Having your pet sleep on you for hours
Ice skating on an outdoor rink with family and friends
The first bite into a fresh chocolate chip cookie
Jumping into the ocean, a lake or a swimming pool on a hot summer day
Falling asleep while it’s raining outside
Studying hard for a test, and then seeing an A in the grade book
Snow days and unexpected, extended sleepovers
Sunday brunch with grandparents
Going on a nice long run to come home to a hot breakfast
Doing yoga in your bedroom with your cat
The smell of spring when it rains and the snow begins to melt
Making animal shaped pancakes
Adding a new sticker to your water bottle
Finally getting the package in the mail that you have been waiting so long for
Singing at the top of your lungs with friends on a late night as you drive
Getting as many toppings as you want on your frozen yogurt
Finding the new sweater that is perfect in every way
Going to the animal shelter to play with the puppies and kittens
Decorating for Christmas
Holding a newly born baby
Finishing all of your homework early in the night
Getting a full nights sleep
Taking a long bath while watching your top three favorite movies
Or taking a bath and eating ramen at the same time
Or all there combined (Ramen, bath, movies)
Jumping into a giant pile of leaves
The final product of a carved pumpkin
Deciding on the Halloween costume that you will wear
Eating a popsicle on a hot day
Stepping into a building that is very air conditioned after being outside all day
Listening to Christmas music while snow falls outside
Skiing down a hill with fresh snow on it
Eating your favorite food
Falling asleep on the couch while watching Gilmore Girls
Exploring new places and trying new things with friends
Running through the woods in the early morning, listening to the birds sing
Building a snowman with your cousins
Setting up a hammock by the lake and reading all day
Driving home in the rain, listening to jazz
Riding the ferris wheel at the State Fair
Buying concert tickets with your best friend
Reading a whole book in one night
Running in circles on a trampoline
Finishing the essay that you have been working on for two weeks
Screaming for your football team while it’s raining
Or just going to football games with your best friends
Climbing a tree and watching the world pass you by
Watching your friends succeed in what they love, as they do the same for you
Doing what makes you happy
These are the 51 things that make me the most happy, and maybe you feel the same, but whatever does make you happy is what is most important. Spread happiness and what you love to do to those around you, make a list of what you love and on those hard days never forget the 51 ways that you can be happy.