Something that keeps me balanced when life tries to throw me off is a list I keep on my phone of things that make me smile. This list reminds me of things that make me glad to be alive, and shows me that life doesn't always have to be scary or sad. I asked my friends on social media about what makes them happy, and this is what they said.
1. "Laughing until it hurts." - Me, 17
2. "Puppies." - Ryan, 15
3. "My daughter. And sunny days." - Leah, 47
4. "Dancing." - Rachel, 16
5. "Memes." - Dylan, 17
6. "Sports and hugs." - Siale, 15
7. "My friends and dogs." - Breannah, 16
8. "Dogs, music, people." - Savannah, 18
9. "Music." - James, 16
10. "Photography." - Jovana, 17
11. "Watching 'Chopped' with my little brother." - Erika, 18
12. "The fact that I'm so young and have the rest of my life ahead of me (so many options, so many people to meet." - Maisie, 17
13. "Music. Nothing influences my mood more." - Janie, 19
14. "Drawing." - Livia, 17
15. "My dog." - Kieran, 17
16. "My friends and family." - Chloe, 16
17. "Friends." - Erik, 17
18. "Elephants!" - Ciara, 15
19. "My fam." - Michelle, 18
20. "Sunday mornings, abandoned places, sunrises, sunsets, old movies, babies!" - Chelsea, 17
21. "Friends and Shakespeare!" - Raelynn, 18
22. "The season of fall, I would be so happy if it was fall all year round. Also coffee, tea, dogs, and pumpkins make me really happy!" - Lauren, 17
23. "My students. Each and every day." - Lacey, 24
24. "Diving- Having a sport I've loved and stuck with for 6 years, my teammates who've become my second family, and the places I've gotten to go, opportunities I've had, and people I've gotten to meet." - Lindsay, 16
25. "Playing music." - Joan, 16
26. "It makes me glad to be alive that dogs exist in our world and have been domesticated because I love them." - Anna, 17
27. "A good scarf!" - Anja, 18
28. "Sunsets." - Devon, 18
29. "Starry nights in the mountains." - Jaden, 17
30. "Stars in the night sky, good friends, and music." - Sam, 17
31. "Watching TJ play football on a beautiful Saturday morning." - Rose, 67
32. "My wonderful husband who is thoughtful, loving, brilliant, and a great companion. I must add our children and grandchildren. I feel blessed." - Julie, 81
33. "After my grandma passing this week, I realized I am happy to have the life I have and that I got to meet her and all my friends have been here to support me. It makes me happy that they have done so much and that I'd do the same for them." - Dona, 17
34. "Puppies, food, makeup, baby animals, cute boys, pretty girls, the ocean, the sun, cute clothes, snow, nature, traveling, coconut water, my friends, babies, and comfy beds." - Colette, 16
35. "Food." - Ben, 18
36. "Definitely my dogs." - Maddi, 15
37. "Cats." - Caroline, 17
38. "Snuggling and watching a movie with my family." - Kendall, 17
39. "DOGS!!!!" - Emma, 18
40. "Getting ready for tea parties." - Dmitri, 18
41. "My dog." -Emily, 17
42. "Cats and reversible clothing." - Lachlan, 17
43. "The people in my AP studio class, and the gargoyles at my school." - Olivia, 16
44. "My dog Dumbo." - Rob, 19
45. "Food, the people I adore, my cactus friend Gerald, culture, and the performing arts." - Jordyn, 18
46. "Fossils!" - Molly, 18
47. "My future!" - Jack, 17
48. "My cat makes me happy." - Cole, 15
49. "Knowing that humanity's gonna keep innovating cool stuff. Memes too." - Jake, 18.
50. "True friends!" - Molly, 17
51. "The fact that life is an adventure." - Reagan, 15
52. "Being able to explore and adventure and see the world." - Andrew, 1
53. "Dresses with pockets!" - Maggie, 17
54. "Coffee. All caffeine, really." - Liv, 20
55. "Music." - Maddie, 18
