Updated December 2025, Originally posted in May 2019
In a couple of weeks, I will undergo my fourth major surgery in eight years, and it’s challenging to feel happy about it. When I’m in one of those blah moods or dealing with pain, I turn to my Happy List. I also recommend this practice to women struggling with their marriages, those who feel overworked between work and home, or exhausted chasing kids.
A Happy List is a collection of things that can bring a smile to your face, or at least distract you from your troubles for a little while. It can be an invaluable tool for living with more peace. When we feel under a lot of stress or pressure, or feel down in the dumps, we often forget to take care of ourselves or enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Happiness Is a Choice
Many years ago, I asked my husband what he wanted from me as a wife. The first thing he said was that he wanted me to be happy. Finding or creating happiness isn’t always easy, because when I’m in a bad mood, I can’t think of anything good. I developed a list of small things I can do around the house to lift my mood and put a smile on my face.
Take the plunge! Do what you can to restore your joy and happiness. Create your own list of activities that make you smile.
Here’s my list to inspire you as you create your own.
25 Things That Make Me Happy
- Eat breakfast by candlelight.
- Find encouragement through my Jesus Calling perpetual calendar and the accompanying verses.
- Remember, God is in control by reading the verse of the day from the YouVersion Bible app.
- Read historical fiction books from the local libraries
- Sit with a heating pad on my back for relief.
- Listen to my favorite podcasts while I drive, such as The Ramsey Show
- Stretch with Jessica Valant Pilates on YouTube
- Drink my homemade instant mocha coffee
- Throw out things I don’t like, such as makeup I don’t like, books I haven’t opened in over five years, and spatulas I don’t use.
- Play the game Cube Match-Collapse and Blast on my phone.
- Plan our next big vacation for an anniversary celebration
- Change the holiday decorations on the coffee and dining room tables.
- Watch a beautiful sunset
- Fall asleep in my husband’s arms
- Give and receive hugs from girlfriends
- Relax in a hot bath and read a book.
- Take my favorite pillow when we travel by car
- Do cross-stitch while watching football or other sports on TV
- Enjoy dinner by the fire pit in the backyard.
- Work on my flower beads and do some pruning in warm weather
- Know the temperature before I go outside with the AccuWeather app
- Savor the smell of pine trees, which reminds me of growing up in Oregon.
- Have weekly coffee dates with girlfriends at a local coffee shop or at one of our homes.
- Indulge in dark chocolate alongside one of my favorite drinks.
- Observe the antiques of the birds, deer, and squirrels in our yard.
Take Charge of Your Happiness
Having a better attitude toward ourselves and our lives makes it much easier to navigate the daily challenges we face. The first step toward overcoming the blues, the doldrums, or even your marriage disappointments is to take charge of your own happiness. Choose small activities that bring a smile to your face or help distract you from your difficult circumstances.
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit Himself prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed with words. ~ Romans 8:26
Your Challenge!
- Create a list of 25 activities you can do to improve your attitude and promote happier thoughts, even if for a brief moment.
- Choose three activities from your list each day, and watch your attitude change.
- Download your free Happy List worksheet and create a list of beautiful prompts you can refer to when you need a little pick-me-up in your mood.
Contact Joyce if you’re feeling blue or wish you felt better about life.