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.
four wine glasses
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brown wooden barrels in a room
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white and black labeled bottles
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Menu-printed board with brown frame on table
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people tossing their clear wine glasses
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pink and white flowers with green leaves
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person's feet on seashore
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golden retriever on gray rock during daytimePhoto by 
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adult golden retriever with cookie bone on nosePhoto by 
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golden retriever puppy on grey wooden fence during daytimePhoto by 
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man standing near Golden Labrador retriever viewing bridge and high-rise buildingsPhoto by 
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