It’s really hard to be happy all the time. No wait, it’s impossible to be happy ALL the time. That’s not human nature, but that’s okay. The majority of these cold winter days are not what I would call “happiness helpers” either. At least for me, when the days stay dark and cold, I fell dark and cold myself. But I’ve been trying to change that. How? By finding happiness in the little things. The little moments and things we so often overlook and don’t really internalize enough to really appreciate. I’ve noticed that by doing this, I am able to get through the day with just a little more happiness and appreciation for life. Even if I forget to internalize these little things during the day, I always make sure to reflect back as I’m lying in bed, about to go to sleep.
And I think, over time, all these little things add up to big things and greater lasting happiness. That’s great, you bought a new car or you’re going on a cruise, but those things don’t create lasting happiness. To create lasting happiness, we need to start appreciating and piling up the little things. Each day is filled with them, thus, a more lasting happiness will be created in life. So here are some of the little things that I’ve taken notice to over the last week that have brought me some happiness.
1. That first sip of bitter black coffee.
2. The smell of a wood burning stove or fireplace in the houses I pass on my runs.
3. Crispy sweet Pacific Rose Apples and Asian Pears.
4. The satisfaction of crossing something off my to-do list.
5. Seeing a cute black lab wearing little purple booties while on a walk with his owner.
6. Calling my mom right before I go to sleep, just to hear her voice.
7. A nice hot shower after a cold 7.26 mile run.
8. Balancing in revolved moon forever and zoning out.
9. Clean sheets.
10. Waking up before (almost) everyone.
11. Wearing comfy moccasins.
12. Getting packages in the mail.
13. Opening a new container of unsweetened cocoa powder.
14. Thinking about all that I’ve built (by myself) on this (once) little blog.
15. Those rare moments when the sun does pop out.
16. Sweater headbands.
17. Having the TV on TBS every morning and listening to episodes of Love and Marriage.
18. Crafting my blog posts over the weekend and having them all set to go.
19. All the squirrels in DC.
20. Breakfast. Enough said.
21. Creating clarity through writing.
22. Reading Mind, Body, Green and HuffPost articles.
23. The random teachers/professors from surrounding area schools, meeting on Friday mornings down in the gym (while I’m there) for there group workout sessions.
24. The janitor lady in the public health building who knows me (I’m always super early for class in the morning).
25. Getting under the covers and laying my head down on the pillow, another day in the books.
Happy Power Monday and happy Groundhog Day! Haha 🙂 XOXO
So tell me:
+ What little things from the past week have brought you some happiness?
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Gaye @CalmHealthySexy says
Hi Rebecca – This is so true. Thanks for sharing it with Let’s Get Real. This is going to be my featured post at this week’s party.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thanks Gaye!
Ashley Egan says
Thank you for linking up to us with Awesome Life Friday, these are such powerful words to live by and such a great lesson.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you Ashley!
Laina Turner says
I think we often expect things to make us happy instead of looking for the happiness in things. I loved your list beasue it’s often the small things that we should take pleasure in.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
The small things are what we all should focus on!
Karissa says
Great list, it’s so important to focus on the positive things. Thanks for sharing on Motivational Monday
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It so is!
Caryn says
What a bright and sunshine-y post. I love it. Wouldn’t it be great if we all started (or ended) the week this way. I love #22, too. MBG and HuffPost Healthy Living always make me smile especially because I’ve made so many healthy changes in the last 1.5 years that I totally identify with many posts. Coming back to you again from SITS. Happy Saturday.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That’s Caryn! Recognizing these things is such a wonderful this to implement and will only help us live a more joyous life!
Brandi Clevinger says
Me, too!! I agree! Yesterday, as seen on my blog Facebook page, I did an experiment to see how many times I would be bothered if I went to the bathroom. I sat in the bathroom and was interrupted numerous times in just four minutes! haha I wasn’t mad. I was trying to get a bit of peace, but I realized how much my little ones depend on me in just a short span of time. It was my small piece of happiness for the day. 🙂
Thanks for linking up at Inspire Me Mondays !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, o, cherish those moments! They will be short-lived!
Christine from SoDomesticallyChallenged says
This is such a great post! It is so good to find happiness in the littest of things. It’s almost like a snowball effect and all those little things pile up 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That is exactly it! A snowball effect!
Amanda @ Queenofthelandoftwigsnberries says
I think of one thing to be happy about/grateful for as I am getting out of bed each morning. Makes the day a little easier to handle, especially when I’m sick or waking up to a crying toddler!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Like a little jump start to the day!
penpen says
When I open the blinds to the huge window in my bedroom and either the sun’s rays are bouncing off the trees or, on some wintry days, snow is illuminating the branches.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That sounds lovely!
kimmythevegan says
This post is awesome! I’ve been making this a goal of mine for awhile now – finding happiness in the small things. The longer I do it, the more I realise just how much there is to be happy about.
“4. The satisfaction of crossing something off my to-do list.”
Definitely my fav!
Oh, and Love & Marriage – that was such a great show!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m trying to find something small each day!
Haha, o that great satisfaction!
And omg, haha, that show is the best!
Emma @ em-poweredwellness says
Love this so much! I have been practicing this for years now, and it is what I attribute to my change to having a generally positive mood most of the time. For me this week: curling up on your side after svasana during a yoga class; the smell of foggy mornings; when you get back under the covers and they are still warm from your body heat; my happy morning Spotify playlist 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah! Very unique things! Although I could do without the foggy mornings 😛
Mary Burris says
Warm blankets on a cold night, quiet peaceful afternoons.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Beautiful!
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
These 2: “The smell of a wood burning stove or fireplace in the houses I pass on my runs.” and “Calling my mom right before I go to sleep, just to hear her voice.” Yes, Yes, and Yes! Those sound like me. And one habit I’ve stuck to for a while now that reminds me of some of the blessings in my life to make me happier are to think of 3 things I am grateful for each day before I go to bed. Whether it’s something sweet a co-worker said to me that day or getting to see a smile on my mom’s face. Anything!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! Recounting and recognizing even one happy thing before you close your eyes is so great!
Rachel says
It’s super important to recognize the little things, especially when all you see is snow and ice when you look outside! Your #5 reminded me of a neighbor I see walking his dogs on my way home from work. He has a fluffy white dog and a brown boxer dog, the other day they crossed the street in front of me and then the white one threw himself down in a snow pile and rolled around, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a happier dog!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Moments like those makes me want a dog myself! (Even though animals freak me out!)
Rachel says
I want a dog badly, but work too many hours to make it fair to adopt one. If I’m ever able to work at a place where I can bring one with me, it’s going to happen! For now, it’s cats.
Bryanna says
I find that finding the little things is important. It’s important to be content where we currently are, but still trying to achieve those goals and do more. I find my happiness in my new baby girl. She brings so much joy to my life, even on those days I am tired after being up with her all night.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m sure she fills your day FULL of wonderful little joys! XOXO
Emily @My Healthyish Life says
LOVE this! So many of those things make me happy too. Getting into bed (with clean sheets!!) after a long day, the first sip of water after a run, breakfast, hearing my mom’s voice, laughing. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O, I forgot laughing! I don’t do it enough!
Amber says
love, love, LOVE this post! it IS hard to be happy all the time, it requires effort. “it is easy to be heavy, hard to be light” a favorite quote of mine! But appreciating the little things is a great start, I ALWAYS do that with my coffee, first black sip is delish! LOVE crossing things off my to do list! How about:
– the creaminess of a perfect bowl of cocoa overnight oats on a quiet early morning
– flecks of sunshine
– having the trainer at the gym tell you “saw you putting in work today and killing it”
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I like that quote!
All great things! There really are so many littles that make a big!
Sandra Laflamme says
Giggles and snuggles with my kids. The first few moments out on my cross country skis. Fried eggs . . . I could go on 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, giggles and snuggles <3
Rebecca says
Great article!! Asian Pears are my favorite fruit right now. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, they bring me so much joy!
Lisa Pytell says
Loved all of your Happy little things….and I LOVE YOU! <3
Mom
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you for bringing some happy into my life 😉 XOXO
Jessica @ kiwiyogirunner says
So great to focus on the little things!! I am about to go back to doing long distance with my boyfriend (were taking 8000miles) and we have been focusing on all the little silver linings there are. It’s really helped!! Top of the list: how amazing it will be to see each other after 7 months apart 🙂 bring it on!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O gosh! You can so do it! Every beautiful aspect of your love for each other will help you through! XOXO
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
Some of my favourite little things right now:
– Trixie who is currently super snuggly and just wants to be by my side. She’s currently asleep under my chair and keeps popping her head up to look at me and make sure I’m still there before falling back asleep under my feet <3
– The golden morning sunshine filtering through the trees on my morning walk
– Cooler temperatures which whilst they have me dreading winter, allow me to open up all the doors and windows in the house during the day
– Quiet mornings to myself which are the one benefit of Jesse and my Dad being away for work (and my sister who sleeps til noon haha)
– Friday evenings when Jesse gets home after being away for work all week
– Girlfriends who call me up to have a coffee date because they know I'm bored out of my brain with Jesse gone all week
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, o my goodness! So many little things! They are all fabulous Kristy! XOXO
Andie Conn says
Your blog always brightens up my day (:
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O, I am so glad! XOXO
Melanie says
I loved this post! It’s so important to recognize the little things everyday. Something I’ve loved this past week is opening the front door and feeling the fresh, crisp air on my face. It feels good to be able to get out and about and to enjoy the world.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Even in the cold, I do appreciate the fresh air after being inside all day!
Kelly says
I love this post. When you stop and look around, life is pretty amazing! We have to open our eyes and hearts to notice it.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
So true Kelly! We really can make our lives so much better when we are aware of the little things!
Joyce @ It's Your Life says
I too love my comfy moccasins nice to know someone who appreciates them. I always give thanks for the little things like finding a parking spot close to the store when it is cold or raining. Every morning I sit and pray and thank the Father for all the little things in life like the trees and like you the squirrels they are such a great source of entertainment. I marvel at their agility to jump from branch to branch no matter how thin it is. Followed you here from the Let’s Get Real Facebook group.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I got two pairs for Christmas and they are the best!
Haha, the squirrels down here where I am are crazy little things!
XOXO
Erica says
yes, absolutely! It’s so easy to take all of those little things for granted and it makes such a big difference when we start appreciating them.
For me, it’s the sweet kid with special needs who greets me every morning as I make my way to catch the train to work and ending a long day sitting in my reading chair with a good book!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O those are both lovely things! They would make me happy too! XOXO
Shashi RunninSrilankan says
I so love this post, Rebecca! Yes – I am a staunch believer in that “all these little things add up to big things and greater lasting happiness” !
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Right? It really is SO true!
Alanna says
It’s like you’ve read my mind. I’ve been making it a point to appreciate the little things in life more lately and I must say, it’s made me a happier person in the winter 🙂 The little sunshine we get and warm blankets make me especially happy these days.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It really does make such a big difference!
Linda @ Veganosity says
This is such a wonderful, positive post Rebecca. You’re so wise for being so young.
Yes to clean sheets!!! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, thank you Linda 🙂 XOXO
YES! Clean sheets!
Farrah says
Clean sheets and getting packages in the mail are definitely things that make me super happy! :D! I (sadly) completely cannot get on board with #10, hahaha.
I’ve designated Sunday nights as my hangouts with a couple of my med school friends, so we study together (all different subjects, but yay for company!) and I usually make food for us. Our other friend came back for the night to hang out with us and I ended up talking with him til 3! So I’m going to add awesome company/conversations to my list, haha. :]
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
O, come on! The 4am hour is the best 😉 Hahaha!
That’s always nice to have great relationships and connections to share!
RFC says
Finding positivity in every situation is such a great thing! I’m currently trying to find positivity in the feet of snow getting dumped on us at the moment, haha!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Not just positivity, but happy little things!
Rachel @ Athletic Avocado says
great post! It makes me feel so much better when I think of all of the positive things in my life! This is a great tip!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
It’s funny what little things can make us a bit happier!
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
I love how you always can turn a cloud into sunshine. Thanks for the monday inspiration!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Aw, thank you so much Megan! XOXO
Jamie says
I just reminded my husband this morning to be thankful for the little things…it is freezing cold here in KS, but at least he didn’t have to dig his car out from under a few feet of snow!!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That is a positive!
Dietitian Jess says
I sprained my back last week and was in bad pain for a couple days so I’m appreciative of living my life pain free most days. So many people out there have injuries or terminal illnesses where they are uncomfortable every day, I’m lucky it was only a few days.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That’s such a good outlook to have! I’m glad you’re feeling better! XOXO
Dezzie says
Hmm this week… booking my trip to Brussels has definitely made me happy! Finally getting around to blogging, spring break in 3 weeks, reading this post, drinking vanilla coffee light and sweet (I commend you black coffee drinkers), all made me happy this week.
I love this post so much! I’m glad you can find lots of things that make you happy during this season! Hope you’re having fun at GW this semester, dearest!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Aw, haha I’m glad you liked this post 😉 XOXO
These little things are the only things getting me through!
genevieve @ gratitude & greens says
Seeing the sun during the winter time is one of my favourite things ever. No matter how crappy a day I’m having, it never fails to make me smile and enjoy my day a little bit more. And comfy moccasins are the best. So is the smell of a wood burning stove! Things that have brought a smile to my face this past week have been lunches with my grandma, and having my mom read to me. My mom has Alzheimer’s, and I try to keep her brain active by having her read to me- it’s really such a pleasant experience and I love spending that time with my mom. Especially if she’s reading a book I enjoy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! The sun really turns my winter days around! (Today….there is none though) 🙁
That is so wonderful! What a precious moment to share with your mom! XOXO
Natalie @ Feasting on Fruit says
We all need to think more like this! When these cold winter days get me down, I always think about how much more they make me appreciate the sun. When it does make an appearance I am almost giddy with excitement, which I know would never happen if it was shining bright all the time. Absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
P.S. I really hope that little groundhog sees his shadow…or doesn’t see his shadow…or whichever one means it’s gonna be spring soon 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, that is true! We need the negative as well as the positive to see the wonderful things!
Girl! I am with you there! I don’t know which it is either….but please be Spring!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma says
I strive to do the same 🙂 The winter days can have a downer effect, along with all of life’s stressors so it’s important to remember all the little things that make us happy that are so easily taken for granted! That’s so sweet that you call your mom before going to sleep! I really hope to be so close with my kids as they grow. I also love that first sip of coffee every morning 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
We need these moments in the winter so much! I want to keep it going all year too!
Kristen says
It’s amazing how our mood improves when we learn to appreciate the “small things” and keep all that other stuff in perspective. Great post!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Thank you! These little things are what I truly want to always remember!
Elizabeth @ Enjoy Every Bite says
Love this! Some days I keep a list of all the little blessings I see throughout the day and it always makes my day better!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
These little things really can carry so much power and positivity!
jess meddows says
I love this list 😀 Baby labs just melt my heart! I have a 13yro lab in Australia and I still call him my puppy. 🙂
Hrm over the past week I’ve smiled at the serenity of the Thai world before 10am when you walk along the moat. I’ve also smiled walking through Chiang Mai university watching couples hold hands and cuddle, that’s kinda cute. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That dog got me through mile 4 of my run 😉
Ah! You have a lot to smile at there! So wonderful!
Bri says
Such a nice idea 🙂 I think I need to do this at the end of each day so I can go to bed feeling grateful instead of worrying about things I need to do or bad things that happened over the day.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Yes! It has been helping me a lot!
AJ @ NutriFitMama says
Making smoothies with the kids was on the top of my list this week. It’s just enjoyable to hang out and let them make whatever they feel like creating 🙂 I love your list! So positive!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
That sounds pretty happy to me 🙂
Emily says
Love your list! It’s always the small things that make you stop and realize how sweet life is! I agree with receiving packages in the mail– that is one thing that is always exciting!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Haha, getting mail and all the big packages from blogging will always put a smile on my face 😉
Christine Gallagher says
I love that you can turn a Monday into a positive thing, that takes talent, what a great way to look at life. I am always the glass half full kinda girl too, thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I’m trying to bring some happiness to each day. It is the only way to make sure you are living a life worthwhile!