Make a '100 things you love' list
A happy life is just a string of happy moments. But most people don’t allow the happy moment, because they’re so busy trying to get a happy life. – Abraham Hicks
We all have busy lives. Job, kids, partner, friends, parents. We try to juggle it all, fit it all into one day. And we manage. And we are happy. Sort of.
We are chasing success, perfection, happiness. Because that is what is expected of us. Right? This chase can very quickly become an obsession. We need to be better, faster, more perfect, happier.
In that chase for the happy life, we seem to forget to actually live it.
I have been very busy at work lately. Busy projects that have you working away and wondering where the week has gone. Add to that some private or health problems (because we all have those on a regular basis) and a busy agenda and we’re running faster than we should.
I notice this when I yell at my kids more than I should, when I am constantly tired even though I sleep enough, when all I want to do is sit in front of the tv and lounge.
When this happens, I need to stop, breathe and remind myself that life is happening now and that I need to ground myself regularly with things that delight me and make me happy. Because those things are the essence of life, the fuel that keeps you going, the energy that will draw more of it into your life if you only cared to give enough attention to them.
So, I urge you, if you feel drained, tired, running without ‘getting there’, then make your own ‘Here’s what I love’ list. Write down all the big and little things that delight you.
And when you are too busy, down or tired from life, have a look at your list and commit to adding one or two items to your day.
Here’s what I love
Sitting on the couch with my boys on a rainy day and watch a movie.
The smell of freshly cut grass.
Reading a good book under a warm blanket or in the garden.
A hot steamy cup of Chai tea.
A massage.
A relaxing evening with women friends.
A campfire and the smell of smoke.
Babies and kids laughing.
The softness of my sons’ cheeks – yes even now they are teenagers.
A good hug from a friend.
The smell of the woods in autumn.
Flow Magazine.
Watching The Good Wife.
Watching my sons become kids again when we go hiking/sledging.
Ice skating.
Hot chocolate after a cold day outside.
A barbecue with friends.
Walking in the rain.
The sound of pouring rain when I’m sitting in a warm, cosy house.
Candle light.
Finding a parking spot.
Getting presents for someone I love.
Painting.
Singing along to my favorite songs, at home, in the car, in the shower… LOUD!
A day of not having to do ANYTHING.
Hugging a tree.
A good cry.
A good glass of wine at the end of the day.
Making people laugh.
Cuddling with my boys.
Galler chocolate spread on y piece of toast.
Drinking cold sparkling water when I’m really thirsty.
The completion of a project.
Meeting my coach or my therapist and the momentum it gives me.
Freshly cut tulips in a vase.
Listening to birds sing and the wind rustle through the trees.
Watching clouds go by.
Blowing soap bubbles so my kids can catch them (they still do this as teenagers).
Watching the birds come to the birdhouse in winter or pick the freshly cut grass in summer.
Coming home to a cleaned house.
A hot shower after a workout.
A comfortable bed with clean, crisp sheets.
The feel of a bunch of chestnuts in my hand.
Picking a bunch of spring flowers.
Watching my kids’ scared delight on a roller coaster.
The right color red-orange.
A good hair day.
A truthful compliment (giving and getting).
Meeting inspiring people.
A comfortable bra.
Building a fort in the woods or a castle in the sand – at any age!
Laughing hard until your belly aches and your eyes tear.
Vacationing in the South of France or Portugal.
Sitting on a mountain looking at the spectacular view.
Sleeping in.
The sound of waves.
Writing (poems, stories, essays, blog posts, journal…).
Building something with Lego.
Doing something scared.
A trip to Ikea.
A retreat (whether it’s 5 minutes, 2 days or a week, near or far away).
Listening to sad songs and welling up.
Chocolate chip cookies.
A ladybug crawling over my skin.
Someone playing the guitar.
Pancakes for dinner.
Inventing stories.
Sunrise and sunset, anywhere in the world.
Waking up after a wonderful dream.
Looking at art.
Behaving silly and not caring what other think.
Butterflies.
When someone home cooks a meal for me.
A good red port.
Taking pictures of doors.
Walking barefoot in the grass or on the beach.
Spontaneity.
Planning.
Contradicting myself 🙂
Swinging on a swing.
Looking at pretty pictures in magazines of on Pinterest.
Caramel au beurre salé.
Browsing in bookstores for hours.
Homemade orange jam.
Poppies in a cornfield.
Thinking up new ideas.
The sound of pen on paper.
Seeing a friend after a long time and feeling like you only saw them yesterday.
Macarons.
Foie gras.
The smell of baby powdered babies.
Cycling downhill.
A back rub from my boys. And giving them back rubs too.
Helping someone get a little closer to their dream.
Starting a new book.
Sledging down the hill in winter.
Raclette dinner at Christmas.
Watching the moon.
Seeing hot air balloons.
Making lists.
Why not add to this list with things you love in the comments!
And most importantly, when you have made your list, make sure you schedule and add any of the things into your daily life! Tiny Magic!
Oooh... I'm so doing this. What a great idea! 💡
A lovely list of things to love!💕