An article to remind everyone of life's littlest joys -- from the everyday to the rare, there's always a reason to smile.
1. A Good Window
I say this a lot, and people look at me like I'm crazy. But seriously, when you find the perfect place to sit, next to a window with the perfect amount of light streaming through and a great view, nothing beats it. Whether it is in the car on a road trip or a window seat at your grandmother's house, there is nothing like the peaceful pleasure derived from just looking out a window.
2. Hearing a Song You Haven't Heard in Years
You know, the one you used to play over and over on your first iPod shuffle. And yeah - you still know every word.
3. A Well-Crafted Sandwich
We all know the feeling of going to your favorite sandwich-making place and taking our first bite into the sandwich we ordered and it being the perfect combination of flavors. It's just the right amount of condiments, the right amount of meat (or lack thereof), combined with the perfect bread. It's such a little joy in your mouth, but it can really change a bad day into a good one.
4. That Post Haircut/Waxing Feeling
This assuming that you like the changes made, we all do the thing where we look at ourselves in the car mirror the whole way home after a good cut, dye job, or wax. You want to take a million selfies, and for the rest of the day you are glowing during the most tedious tasks.
5. When Your Shower is the Perfect Temperature
No need to fiddle with the little, temperamental (pun intended) dial affixed to your shower wall because your water has already reached the most peaceful temp. Bonus points if the pressure is perfect too.
6. The First Sip of Coffee in the Morning
...out of your favorite mug, while your wearing your favorite slippers. It doesn't matter that you have a whole day of endless tasks ahead of you because with that first sip of coffee, you're in heaven, and ultimately optimistic for the day.
7. An Empty Dirty Clothes Basket
Also known as the polar opposite of a full dirty laundry basket. An empty laundry basket is full of hope and promise. It says, "Ahhh, I'm an adult and I am on top of my game. I am doing adult things and the future is bright." Even if it lasts less than a day, those few precious hours are a beautiful thing.
8. Waking Up Not Groggy from a Nap
How did you do it? You are a nap god. You managed to nap for the perfect amount of time, reaching NAP NIRVANA.
9. Non-Wedgie-Giving Underwear
People I'm serious, stick with me. Finding the perfect pair that doesn't show through your pants, doesn't ride up in areas it knows it shouldn't be, and is even somewhat cute is so, so rare. And any day you have this pair on is destined to be a good one.
10. Walking Around After Taking Heels Off
Girls, you know when at the end of the night your feet are literally crying? Your pinky toe is screaming "HELP ME" through the patent leather on your pumps, and your big toe is weeping gently. When you finally take them off, you feel like a new woman. And sometimes, more often than not, this happens even before you're home. So please, if you see me at a party without shoes on, let me be. I'm sick of my pinky toes wailing.
11. A Fully Popped Bag of Microwave Popcorn
I'm talking no kernels. No burned pieces. I think this has happened once in my 19 years of existence. And I saw Jesus in the bag.
12. Friendship Silence
You know that moment when you're with someone who you're close with and you can just, like, be quiet together? Maybe you're in a car, maybe you're hanging out in your room, maybe you're eating dinner. Either way -- it's not an awkward silence, and no one feels the pressure to make chatty, small talk. It's comfortable; it's like being alone without being alone.
13. Ice Cream
Also known as the cold comfort humans don't deserve, but were given anyway. Sad? Have some ice cream. Just won a big game? Have some ice cream. Dinner? Ice cream. Lunch? Ice cream. Breakfast? Ice Cream. Why not?
14. When Your Laptop and Phone Are Perfectly Charged
What can't you do now? Nothing can stop you. Not even the robot gods who control when batteries die. Personally, a full battery laptop tells me I can play Sims for almost two hours before my laptop dies. Beautiful.
15. Books with the Edges...
You know, these ones?
Why aren't more books made like this? They are beautiful, rare, and majestic. Bonus points if it has the smell. You know the smell.
16. Not Having to Set an Alarm
This is synonymous with not having to adult. Knowing that you can sleep and stay in bed until your hearts content is such a covetous feeling, especially if it's a day that you don't usually get to sleep in. Like a Monday.
17. Flipping Your Pancake/Egg/Grilled Cheese Perfectly
Maybe this is a task that is only hard for me, but I have difficulty trying to flip my food products in the pan without making a mess. And, when I finally master it, I swear I need to be drafted to the professional league of food flipping. Also nothing can stop me - we're gonna have a good day.
18. Unseasonably Warm Temperatures
As someone who lives in New York, I have seen my fair share of brutal winters. But this year, it seems like we have seen more warm days than brutally cold ones. I've noticed that when the weather is warmer than it should be, everyone seems nicer than usual. You can do outdoor things you didn't expect to, and driving a car is a lot easier.
19. Forehead Kisses
There is no better, small way to say you love someone than a small kiss on their forehead. Being a recipient of said kiss creates a warm, fuzzy feeling akin to warm baths and puppies.
20. Reading Long Lists of Happy Things
Hopefully if you got through this list all the way to the bottom, you enjoyed reading and could relate to some of the things. I hope if you're having a bad day, this helped turn it around. Go out, and look for the little happy things in today.
