There Are A Million Little Things That Make Up A Happy Life But Here Are 44 Things To Get You Started | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyles

There Are A Million Little Things That Make Up A Happy Life But Here Are 44 Things To Get You Started

Happiness is something you find, not something that finds you.

669
There Are A Million Little Things That Make Up A Happy Life But Here Are 44 Things To Get You Started
https://unsplash.com/photos/0-uzdU3gUYw

In This Article:

We all get these ideas of what happiness looks like. Happiness is that perfect relationship with the Calvin Klein model who makes you blueberry pancakes and coffee every Sunday. Happiness is landing that big promotion that comes with the corner office with a view of downtown. Happiness is getting all your best friends together and taking a year off to go backpacking across Europe.

Maybe you actually do check all those big-ticket items off your bucket list and find happiness from them. Maybe you don't. And if you don't, don't give in to the idea that your life is over and meaningless. Happiness doesn't just come in life-changing moments. It comes in all different kinds of unexpected and ordinary ways. It's the small moments that make for a happy life, you just have to look for them.

What do they look like? Here are just a few examples:

1. Starting a new show on Netflix

2. Clouds that turn pink in the sunset

3. Not being able to stop laughing at a joke that's been over for hours...or days

4. Playing board games at 2 AM with your new college friends

5. The acoustic version of a song by your favorite artist

6. Being nose-deep in a really good book

7. Watching birds fly overhead

8. Getting breakfast the morning after a night out with friends

9. Singing along to a song on the radio you know all the words to

10. Hair that turns to princess curls in the rain

11. Watching raindrops race each other down your car door window

12. Making wishes on dandelions and shooting stars and 11:11

13. Pouring cream into coffee and watching it change color

14. Chocolate and peanut butter

15. Meeting new people who turn into your best friends

16. Anything pine-scented

17. Trying a new food that turns out to be delicious

18. Watching someone with headphones bop their head to the beat without realizing it

19. Christmas lights

20. A baby laughing

21. Anyone laughing

22. Sliding on hardwood floors with fuzzy socks

23. Standing in the surf and letting the waves bury your feet in the sand

24. Freshly washed sheets

25. Throwback playlists

26. Driving with the windows down

27. Grass-stained feet

28. Clothes that smell like smoke after a bonfire

29. Passing a test you thought you failed

30. Receiving packages in the mail

31. Ice cream sundaes (w/ hot fudge)

32. Having impromptu movie nights with your roommates

33. Playing on swings

34. Licking the batter from the spoon

35. Hot showers on cold days

36. Listening to live music

37. Fruit-flavored bubble gum

38. Bear hugs

39. Drawing smiley faces on the mirror after a shower

40. Home-cooked meals

41. Wearing a new outfit

42. Discovering a new song you love

43. Watching home videos

44. Stargazing

The list goes on and on.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

448
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

276
Aubrey Plaza
Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.

1. When your advisor tells you that you should declare a major soon.

2. Seeing the lost and confused freshmen and remembering that was you a short year ago, and now being grateful you know the ins and outs of the campus.

3. Going to the involvement fair to sign up for more clubs knowing that you are already too involved.

4. When you actually do the reading required for the first class.

5. Seeing your friends for the first time since last semester.

6. When you're already drowning in homework during syllabus week.

7. Realizing you don't have the same excitement for classes as you did as a freshman.

8. Going home and seeing people from high school gets weirder the older you get.

Keep Reading...Show less
graduation

Things you may not realize are different between high school and college:

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

20 Things You Forgot To Thank Your Mom For

Moms are super heroes dressed in yesterday's clothing and they deserve an award for that.

1569
family
Facebook

Dear Mom,

You took care of me and my brothers our entire lives and you still continue to! I will not be able to truly grasp all of the hard work that you put into this family until I create my own one day. But, I know that there are plenty of times I forgot to give you a simple thank you or an appreciative smile. I thank you for everything that you have done for me and will continue to do for me. Here are some examples of those times where you had my back and I forgot to pat your back for saving me:

Keep Reading...Show less
pumpkin
Holytaco.com

College is hard. As people ages 18-22, we’re just trying to figure out what we’re doing with our lives, our careers, our eating habits, exercise routines, sleep patterns, and other necessities for adult life. We definitely don’t take proper care of ourselves; it’s basically impossible when we have essays, tests and readings due and somehow we’re supposed to eat right, exercise and sleep. We’re doomed to get sick. I have zero experience in science but when I get sick there are certain things I do to make myself better.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments