Everyone wants to be happy - shocking, I know. But it doesn’t take ridiculous amounts of work, a ton of money, or even great milestones to be the happiest that you can be. Most days, all it takes is a home-cooked meal and some friendly faces.

1. Meeting new people

The people in your life matter above all else; I will defend that argument until I die. With that in mind, there is nothing more exciting than meeting new people, whether you relate to them or not. Being able to bond with someone unexpected, or finding someone who shares your obscure taste in foreign cinema, has to be one of the most precious experiences in life.

2. Spending time with your people

Although meeting new people is exciting and novel, finding your people, the ones you can be completely yourself with, and spending time with them, is where life is truly best. These are the people who will be there for you through every life event, through every rough patch and every celebration, the people who make you laugh and hold you when you cry, the ones who bring you chicken soup when you’re sick and cookie dough ice-cream when you’re sad. There is no greater happiness than to love and to be loved. Oh yeah, you bet I went there.

3. Going on spontaneous adventures

Ever see that Mark Twain quote on a fridge magnet or a Tumblr post? The one that says you won’t regret the things you did, but the things you didn’t do? Exactly. So put down that school reading and say “yes” to that impromptu camping trip. Those are the most rewarding times, and the ones that will stick with you forever.

4. Discovering a new place

We’ve established this: new = good. If you’re lucky enough to do lots of traveling, you know how incredible it is to find yourself in a new city or a new landscape, and to observe different lifestyles than the one you’re used to. But you don’t have to go far to explore the world! How about visiting that public garden you’ve been meaning to see, or even just taking a new route on your morning run? You’ll be amazed at what you might find.

5. Feeling at home

Home can mean so many different things, from the house where you grew up to the city you fell in love with on vacation. When you feel at home, everything makes sense. You want to be with the people around you, go to every restaurant and attraction in the area and go back every year, or even build a life there. Feeling at home is so easy to take for granted, but you’ll appreciate it so much when you come back to that special place after being away.

6. The little things

Somewhere along the way, someone has told you to enjoy the simple things in life. That someone was right. Never underestimate the potential for happiness in a funny joke or a red velvet cupcake. The little things can turn your day - and life - around, just like that.

7. Being yourself

Well, duh! If you’re comfortable with the people around you and where you live and how you spend your days, you should feel infinite freedom to be yourself, whoever the heck that is. Your happiest self embraces your quirks, your dark humor, your exuberant personality, your non-binary gender, your questionable taste in music or your deep-seated hatred of, say, sweet potatoes. It takes time, but when you figure out who you are, you should always feel the freedom to express it.