What makes you happy?

I think I’ve mentioned this before, but J.T. Ellison writes one of my favorite weekly newletters.  I look forward to it each Sunday.  She writes killer thrillers, too.  🙂

Last week, she included a link to an article by another woman I admire, Gretchen Rubin, also a terrific writer.  Rubin wrote a list of things, 30 things actually, that make her happier.  The idea is when she realizes she’s feeling down, she can refer to the list to make herself feel better.  Great idea, I thought.  But 30 things?  It made me wonder how many things I could list.

Instead, I’m giving myself 3 minutes to come up with a “starter list”.  Setting my timer….Go.

Tea.  Especially Earl Grey.

My dog’s ears.

My dog.

Laughing with my husband.

A clean kitchen.

A clean desk.

A new notebook (adding my favorite kind).

A clean closet.

A bath with a candle and bath oil (adding my favorite kinds).

Fresh flowers.

Reading.

Walking outside.

Being at home with just my family.  I love all the hubbub of having teens, but just the four of us?  Rare and golden.

Having written.  (I’m not alone, am I?  I know Anne Tyler agrees.)

On that same note, having done some time on the treadmill. After. NOT during.

Doing yoga.

Early mornings.

Time’s up!

Ok.  Interesting exercise.  I’m not going to edit this (even though my dog appeared on the list before my family), and put it out there, which is another interesting exercise.  But, I will say, I do feel happier right now than I did 5 minutes ago.

What makes you happy?