Happiness. Easy for some, a challenge for others. What makes one person happy can be an empty experience for another. But one thing is certain, happiness is a goal we all work towards. Whether it’s the joy of the perfect manicure or the luxury of a perfect nap, happiness is considered by many to be the meaning of life.
Gretchen Rubin explores the enigma that is happiness in her book The Happiness Project, which chronicled her year long project.
The fine folks over at Harper Collins are sending a copy of The Happiness Project for one lucky Non-Consumer Advocate reader. To enter this giveaway, list five things in the comments section that make you happy. I will randomly choose a winner Thursday, April 8th at midnight PST. U.S. residents only, please enter only once.
I will start you out with my own list:
- Knowing that I was able to pay for my son’s trip to Japan with odds and ends of extra money.
- Clearing clutter from my home.
- Having something to look forward to, like a walk with a friend or a long awaited book that’s come in at the library.
- My warm sheepskin slippers.
- When my kids have no homework.
Okay now, it your turn. What makes you happy?
Katy Wolk-Stanley
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
Click here to read Rubin’s Happiness Project blog.
Click here and here to read my previous columns on what makes me happy.
{ 91 comments… read them below or add one }
1. Feeling my baby kick
2. Spending time with family
3. Going for long walks
4. Eating fresh produce from my garden
5. Reading a good book
1. Digging in the garden
2. Morning cuddle time in bed w/ the husband & both dogs
3. The “magic moment” when the lump of sketchy looking curds turns into delicious cheese
4. When the library sends me an e-mail saying my long awaited book has arrived
5. The morning coffee my honey makes & brings me in my office (the coffee usually sucks, but the sentiment is so sweet!)
1. Going for an easy run in the fresh air–unlike you, Katy. 🙂
2. Petting my cats.
3. Sleeping in.
4. Decluttering my home.
5. Reading in bed before going to sleep.
1. photography, especially unplanned photos that come out better than the ones I sweat over
2. my husband and my family spending quality time together
3. my cat singing her little melodic song to let us know she’s entered the room we’re in
4. flowers–in the wild, in arrangements, even in wedding pictures online
5. warm weather!
I especially like no. 3; what lovely wording!
1. the game of tag that the great dane and the bulldog play each morning.
2. dave’s killer bread- toasted with real butter and honey.
3. the phone call from my college kid who is thrilled that he aced his test.
4. appreciating Louis Armstrong in my own class.
5. a lovely hot shower on a cold rainy day.
5 things that make me happy:
1) my husband in his element studying all things environmental
2) living near the ocean
3) the feeling of being in the sunshine
4) butter
5) yoga
1. When my daughter sleeps alone in her crib for the first few hours every night instead of sleeping huddled against me and hogging my space.
2. My favorite artist’s paintings hanging in our house
3. Decluttering
4. A spring breeze coming through the window
5. My husband being home for spring break this week.
1. My sister surviving a terrible roll-over car accident on Sunday with only bruises.
2. Getting married to the love of my life.
3. Lunch with a friend in the sunshine.
4. Financial security.
5. Those days when everything just works.
1. My pets
2. Journaling
3. Nature
4. My tiny home
5. Meditation time
Five things that make me happy?
1. Having my bed made when I leave for the day.
2. Having my not so cuddly cat voluntarily cuddle with me.
3. Coffee with a bit of sugar and heavy cream.
4. Crossing things off my today list.
5. Friends leaving me notes on my desk at work.
That should have been to-do list, not today list!
I actually really like your little mistake, doesn’t today sound so much better than TO DO? To do sounds like an order. Maybe I need to seek help if I think a list I wrote is trying to order me about, but whatever, I’m totally stealing today list!
1. my house, even when my to-do list is a mile long
2. baking anything
3. my family, even if they live far away
4. my friends from college
5. when there is open space in a closet/drawer/cabinet after another bag has been donated
1. My sweet family
2. Reading
3. Camping at the beach
4. Decluttering
5. Drinking champagne with friends
1. Little green sprouts popping up in the garden
2. My newly decluttered living room and dining room
3. My daughter’s sudden moments of overwhelming kindness
4. My cats (all eight of them!) and my stupid, lovable dog
5. Books, which are everywhere in our house.
1. snuggle time with the boyfriend
2. daffodils popping up in the springtime
3. feeling good after a long run
4. cooking adventures that turn out well
5. my tiny orange-walled apartment
1. not having to set the alarm clock
2. finding the dishwasher emptied and the coffee made when I wake up
3. winning Swagbucks!
4. a clear blue sky
5. completely surprising my husband or kids with something
1. starting a new book by a favorite author
2. sleeping in and snuggling with my husband
3. freshly baked Toll House cookies
4. a big hug
5. a long walk at magic hour
1. Curling up under a warm throw with the latest interlibrary loan or Paperback Swap delivery.
2. The way may husband can turn leftovers and stuff in our pantry into delectable creations such as ham and white bean soup.
3. The first bite into a gooey warm chocolate chip cookie.
4. Getting stuff accomplished in my day while allowing for some time spent puttering around.
5. Hugs.
Camping
showering after being at the beach all day
my family
the first snow fall of the season
sweet tea on a super hot day
1. Hugging my husband when he gets back from work.
2. Warm sunny days where I can open the windows and turn off the A/C.
3. The feeling of accomplishment I get after organizing a room.
4. Spending time with my family.
5. Long talks with good friends.
1. I made some divine Strawberry Freezer Jam – I rarely cook so to have it taste incredible was amazing.
2. I actually enjoy mopping my floor and sometimes vacuuming.
3. Going for a run as a family and letting the kids play at the park.
4. Eating out
5. My emergency fund just exceeded 6 months. Its amazing!
1.Making my daughter laugh so hard she thinks she’ll pee in her pants.
2. Being able to request books from the library over the internet.
3. Browsing at the Farmer’s Market.
4. Movie nights with my daughter.
5. Using my old wooden salad bowl.
1. Seeing the sun 2. Hugging my grandkids 3. A phone call from a loved one 4.Reading 5.Chocolate
1. Weekly, usually hour-long phone call with my mom who lives far away.
2. Morning coffee, especially when husband brings it upstairs while I’m still in bed.
3. Sleeping in until at least 8:00.
4. Listening to Prairie Home Companion.
5. Conversation with a friend while our kids play.
And of course, reading your blog! : )
1. Cuddly husband bringing me coffee to wake me up on a Saturday morning.
2. Clear skin after a life of acne.
3. Rapidly approaching a debt-free life.
4. Brainstorming a fabulous new way to wear clothes I’ve had forever.
5. Sitting down to read in a clean, tidy home.
1. The bus pulling up to my stop, especially on a miserably rainy day.
2. Reading a book that makes me want to stay up all night to finish.
3. Indulging in eating a plate lunch.
4. Finding a comfortable, almost new pair of Danskos at Goodwill.
5. Knowing I’m exactly right where I want to be.
1. Sitting outside with a good book.
2. Baking bread.
3. Indulging in a delicious dinner that I didn’t cook.
4. My sweet baby cousins.
5. Spending ridiculous amounts of time at the public library.
1. Warm, sunny days.
2. The love of my husband and daughter.
3. Plenty to eat.
4. Blogs on the internet.
5. Puzzles.
1) Biking in the just-warm-enough spring air.
2) Snuggling on a Saturday morning.
3) Leisurely weekend cooking. I made the Frugal Girl’s pull apart garlic bread this weekend!
4) Snowshoeing in the sunshine.
5) Mountain Man.
1. Being genuinely surprised (in a good way) – by a book I knew nothing about, by a movie I had no expectations about, or by a friend’s small act of kindness;
2. Grits & shrimp (together or separately);
3. when my kids still want me to give them backrubs;
4. silly poems my husband writes;
5. accomplishing things I’ve put off.
1. Getting to stay home and be a mom
2. Knowing my bills are paid
3. Sunshine
4. My husband’s humor
5. Knowing that I am a self-reliant, strong individual
The library
Texas wildflowers in my backyard
A quiet day
Making art
Family and friends
1. Taking a day to relax because I worked my butt off yesterday.
2. My fridge is only 1/3 full, but all of it is fresh, healthy stuff I want to eat.
3. Woke up this AM to the sound of rain.
4. I haven’t used the dryer in 2 weeks, its been that nice here in WI (at or above 60″)
5. I have trouble finding enough stuff to fill a bag for Goodwill, we have cleared out so much clutter already.
Being able to work so hard in my suburban garden today that I have blisters on one hand. And knowing that if my garden fails, my children will not go hungry.
1. Having a part-time job that i really love.
2. When my teenagers seek me out to spend time with me just because they love me.
3. Walking out my front door, down the street and in 20 minutes time be hiking on a mountain trail.
4. Hanging with my lady friends for our Friday coffee. We’ve been getting together for coffee every Friday during the school year for 10 years.
5. Having a lunch date with my husband.
I am happy that:
1. My kids and I made it through homeschooling and we are still getting along.
2. My dear sweet husband who is there for me no matter what.
3. That my above husband and I have located our retirement home and have almost paid it off. We are just renting close to work for now.
4. That we will be officially retired in less than 7 years.
5. I was able to use leftovers to make dinner tonight and bake a couple of loaves of bread to go with it. Yum.
1. laying on the couch with my dogs
2. yoga
3. working in my container garden
4. watching the birds at the feeder
5. spending a whole day at home without leaving
1. Chatting with my husband and children over lunch, diner or during the weekend.
2. A glass of perfectly chilled wine.
3. Nice meal with family or friends.
4. Our weekend walks.
5. My Friday night date with hubby.
1. grocery shopping: everything involved – making a list, clipping coupons, going through the weekly ad, and the actual shopping part itself
2. our home-from-work routine: undress, snuggle time while we talk about our day, go for a run or walk, cook dinner together, then separate relaxing activities or work on a side job
3. lazy Sundays with no errands to run or plans at all
4. walking to our favorite brunch spots
5. dessert
You UNDRESS and snuggle with your husband every day returning from work? Ah, my mind is in the gutter! Jokes aside, your early evening ritual sounds wonderful.
1. My Lord and Savior Jesus
2. My husband
3. My children, my siblings, mother, in-laws etc. . . . .
4. Being home on my porch on windy days
5. A soft snowfall outside my window while I am drinking hot chocolate.
1. Reading a new book I’ve been waiting for at the library
2. Laying in the hammock with the dog, cuddling
3. Riding my husband’s motorcycle with him
4. Floating in a tube on the lake
5. The last day of school
1. Spending time with my husband and daughter.
2. Reading a book in a hanging chair on my back porch.
3. Shopping at the farmers market.
4. Walking in my beautiful neighborhood.
5. Dark chocolate.
1. My kids’ drawings.
2. Spring flowers.
3. Good Mexican food.
4. A trip to Colorado all by myself.
5. Finishing a project.
1. adventures with my family
2. my women friends
3. the first shooting star blooming in spring
4. garlic
5. weaving
1. laughing with my family
2. reading a book to my kids
3. taking a walk with a friend
4. a sunny spring day
5. picking berries
1. Digging in the dirt
2. My dog’s greeting when I come home
3. Drumming
4. A book, a warm beverage, and a blanket
5. Nurseries in the spring and summer (ok, anytime of year!)
(Um, plant nurseries although baby nurseries do bring a warm glow)
1. Making my daughter smile just by smiling at her
2. Unexpected thoughtful gestures from my husband
3. Family walks in the spring
4. A clean studio
5. Really good dinners with really good friends
1. Walking the dog around our neighborhood.
2. Spring flowers popping up – in every color of the rainbow.
3. Our soon to be daughter kicking.
4. My sweet husband.
5. Home cooked meals.
1. Homemade rhubarb-strawberry sauce
2. Taking a nap on the weekend
3. Having a great phone conversation with a friend
4. Rubbing my kitty’s tummy
5. being married to my husband
1. a bike ride
2. listening to the wind in the trees and grass
3. My childrens’ giggles make me deliriously happy.
4. A surprise gift in the mail. An afghan that my deceased grandmother made for a cousin of mine, for her wedding, showed up at my door today.
5. Grandma’s that still know how to knit, crochet or sew.
1. When my son comes for a visit…. and the other night when he called and we talked for over an hour and a half on the phone!
2. Reading in bed.
3. Getting up before everyone when we’re camping and making a pot of perculated coffee on the fire I made myself…
4. Listening to my favorite music…
5. Watching children play.
1) Spinning wool into yarn. 2) My kids and me sharing a laugh. 3) Snuggling with my kids and/or dogs. 4) The smell of rain and sleeping to the sound of rain on the roof. 5) Being able to help others both near and far.
1. Watching my favorite shows on tv
2. Scrapbooking
3. Reading a good book
4. A warm hug from my daughter
5. Eating fresh veggies from the garden
1. Gardening with my 5-year old daughter.
2. Watching my son playing with his pals after school.
3. Doing dishes and listening to an audiobook and my hubster surprising me with a hug and a kiss.
4. Reading in bed.
5. Knitting, drawing, baking…just making things I guess.
I forgot to mention my most happy thing, that is exacting revenge on those who’ve done me wrong.
Jessica,
When I read the first few words I was sure you were going to say “…exacting revenge on my sister for the annoying things she did when we were young.” LOL.
But of course, I know that Katy has never done you wrong!
Much love to you both,
–BarbS (formerly known as Barbara Rosen)
1. Putting my hand stitched pieces of a quilt together and seeing it become something makes me feel very happy.
2. Sitting on my porch swing as the sun comes up or goes down.
3. Coming upon something unexpected really makes me happy. For example, my daughter and I were walking up broadway in manhattan when we decided to step into a chapel. We expected maybe a little organ music or something. Instead, a choir and small orchestra were practing mozarts requiem.
4. easing pain and distress makes me happy, knowing I have made a difference
5. Hearing that my children have done a kindness for someone makes me happy
Five things that make me happy:
1. Climbing in to a bed just made up with fresh clean sheets — all crisp and smooth.
2. The sound of waves breaking.
3. A great run where I can feel my bones and muscles moving easily under my skin and I feel like I could go on forever.
4. Performing Bach, Verdi, Brahms, Mozart or anything, really, with a great chorus.
5. Being cozy at home with tea and books with my sweetie when it’s raining hard outside.
1) Reading a good book.
2) learning…how to grow vegetables, how to make bread…the things that really matter.
3) My little chihuahua puppy.
4) Watching ‘Onedin Line’ or “Little House on the Prairie” (with husband and children)
5) the smell of grass…and fresh laundry, dried in the sun…the smell of rain. And the smell of fresh baked bread.
1. The way my 8 and 11 year old boys still love to be snuggled
2. The stainless steel coffee cup that keeps my coffee hot a long time
3. Reading the New York Times online – nothing to recycle!
4. The 4 inch ceramic gnome my mother in law made for me
5. Singing – in the car, in the shower, around the house. Wherever.
1) A hot bath paired with a chilled white wine and a trashy novel.
2) Lazy Saturday mornings in bed.
3) Sunday brunch with my family.
4) Fresh baked bread.
5) The first snow each winter.
1. Realizing how much I do NOT need.
2. Sitting at my desk at home with a cup of coffee and just staring.
3. Walking my three crazy dogs.
4. Watching my three crazy dogs sleep, knowing I’ve tired them out (for now).
5. Selling or giving away something I’ve realized I don’t need.
1. A clean house
2. Reading a good book
3. Bike riding with my kids
4. The fact that I no longer care about “keeping up with the Joneses”
5. A warm sunny spring day
1. A nightstand covered with books.
2. A pen with lots of paper.
3. Listening to the Hallelujah Chorus – full blast!
4. My Magnolia tree when it’s in full bloom.
5. My faith in Jesus Christ.
1. Cupcakes
2. Used bookstores
3. Giving
4. The smell of freshly cut grass
5. The transformative power of paint
1. listening to great music
2. lounging the day away reading a book
3. going on a drive with my husband
4. clean sheets on the bed
5. cuddling with my neice and nephews
1) Being home with my Dan (husband)
2) taking a random (spontaneous) road trip
3) My two beautiful cats
4) going to the beach
5) reading (keeping in touch) about my love ones
1. Cantering on horseback
2. Saturday afternoon naps with my 2 dogs draped over me
3. When my husband makes me laugh (I’m a tough audience!)
4. Homegrown tomatoes in the summer
5. Walking out of the library with a stack of books (oh, the potential!)
My 5?
1. A steaming mug of coffee in the backyard on a balmy spring morning.
2. My bicycle and the places it takes me.
3. The antics of my four cats and one dog.
4. That Michigan passed a ban on smoking in public places that takes effect May 1.
5. When someone really likes something I give them on Freecycle and posts a nice note to say so.
1. Spending time doing whatever with my husband
2. Watching/Feeling our baby kick (2 months to go!)
3. Watching my dog after his bath (he runs around flipping and complaining trying to get dry)
4. Reading a good book
5. Watching my baby niece learn to walk
1. spending my lunch breaks walking circles around the park near my office
2. coming home and having my dog be so very excited to see me
3. cooking. whenever, whatever it doesnt matter. if i can get even twenty minutes to ignore the world and chop something and feed the people i care about then everything is aces.
4. a solid nights sleep. they are so few and far between.
5. waking up every morning to the note on the kitchen counter that my guy leaves me when he goes off to work before 6 every day
1) Tea
2) Reading
3) blogging
4) Coffee dates talking with the Husband
5) transitions between seasons.
1. Watching Wheel of Fortune and imagining myself as the winner!
2. Growing veggies in my garden
3. Learning something new (this weekend was how to bake a cheesecake)
4. A perfect sunny, windy, warm day
5. Sewing
1. My husband–what can I say, we’re still newlyweds. 🙂 (Though I hope we’ll always make each other happy.)
2. Cuddling with my kitties, especially my big Abner cat who wraps his front paws around my shoulders and nuzzles his head into my neck.
3. Dogs.
4. Getting rid of excess stuff.
5. Crossing things off my To Do List.
1. Growing and eating my food
2. Hanging out clothes to dry
3. Heating my cabin with freecycled firewood
4. Belly laughing with my grown daughters
5. Hiking with my hubby
Only 5? OK…
1. My hubby–he’s an all around awesome guy
2. My buzzy, fuzzy cats
3. Getting lost in the scent of a lilac on a lovely spring day
4. Reading in bed
5. Dark chocolate
1. An overnighter at my mom’s. We stay up half of the night talking and laughing. I would spend my last night on earth there.
2. Family reunions, either my family or my husband’s.
3. A trip to the dog park with my own dogs and their best buddies – they loudly howl for joy the moment I load them into my vehicle and they don’t stop until we get there.
4. The sight and sound of chevrons of geese flying overhead.
5. The sound of my husband’s voice when he reads out loud to me.
1. Flannel sheets
2. A luxurious bar of soap
3. Popsicles on a really hot day
4. Receiving surprise packages in the mail
5. Sewing projects that turn out right
1. Green tea
2. Giving presents
3. Braiding my hair
4. Making out with my husband
5. Snuggling my bunny rabbits
1. singing harmony with others that can keep the melody
2. hearing my daughters laugh while playing with daddy
3. a good book (even better if it’s from the library or a “hand me down”)
4. finding a good bargain at a thrift store or garage sale
5. hanging out with friends
1- Spending downtime at home with my boyfriend and cats
2- Quality time with great friends every week
3- A good glass of Cabernet Sauvignon
4- My camera
5- Working in my small urban garden
1. Watching my daughter run into her Daddy’s arms when he gets home from work.
2. Watching my husband’s face light up when he grabs her up in a big hug.
3. Sitting and swinging on the back porch with my family.
4. Hearing my kids laugh and play.
5. Hiking/walking outside in the woods.
1. Curling up with a great book (hint hint)
2. A mug of coffee in the morning
3. Exercise – swimming, biking, running
4. Catching up with old friends
5. Cooking a delicious meal from a new recipie
1. Spending time with my family
2. Taking long walks with my kiddos and dogs
3. Writing from the heart and having it resonate with others
4. Knitting
5. Being me, exploring who I am, luxuriating in creative ventures
1. My cats purring
2. Planting things in slightly damp earth
3. Eating fresh cherries
4. Laying on the beach
5. Watching the sunset
What a pleasure to read through these joyful lists! Five things that make me happy are:
1. Warm baths
2. Fresh clean sheets on a well-made bed
3. My kids’ laughter
4. Baking
5. Staying in touch with old friends 🙂
Your #5 just became my #6.
-Katy
😀
Thanks for sharing all these wonderful thoughts with your readers. Makes me feel good to know the kindness, generosity of spirit and the simple pleasures that most of us relish.
Great project!!!!!!!!!!!!!