This is one great gratitude practice that I’ve been doing around Thanksgiving the last few years, and I highly recommend it. It’s definitely something that could (and should) be done more than once a year, as a great way to increase happiness and the feeling of abundance. It’s also fun to look back at previous years’ lists… something on my list a few years ago was “rocking my daughter to sleep.” Oh how I miss those days! 🥹
I originally was going to call it “50 Things I’m Grateful For,” but I found that a little too intimidating, as I didn’t want to miss any of the big things, and felt like I had to have them in order of importance. Instead, by calling it “50 Things That Make me Happy,” it’s more casual and fun. I find it a great way to celebrate the smaller things that bring me joy, that I don’t often show much appreciate for.
I always find myself struggling when I get around 20 or 25 on the list, but then I get into a flow and they keep coming. Once I have 50 things, I feel like I could keep going to 60 or 70.
Making a list like this fosters mindfulness, fuels optimism, and most importantly, cultivates gratitude. In the hustle and bustle of life, let’s not forget to pause and appreciate the myriad reasons we have to be thankful. This exercise has the potential to reshape our perspectives, making us more attuned to the beauty that surrounds us every day.
Here is a free printable I made for you to create your own list of 50 things that make you happy. Feel free to print it and share it. There is power in listing happiness. ✨
50 Things That Make Me Happy: 2023 Edition
1. Waking up before the sun.
2. Warm lemon water in the morning. 🍋
3. Rolling out my yoga mat. 🧘♀️
4. A good morning workout.
5. The first cup of coffee in the morning. ☕️
6. A good book.
7. A good podcast.
8. Snuggles with my kids.
9. Family roadtrips.
10. Planning family trips.
11. The sight and sounds of my kids laughing and playing nice together.
12. A clean house.
13. Hearty Crockpot dinners.
14. Tacos. 🌮
15. The warmth of the sun on my face. ☀️
16. A good meditation.
17. An early bedtime.
18. Christmas decorations. 🎄
19. Holidays with family.
20. My kids dancing.
21. Pancake Sunday. 🥞
22. All the holidays with the kids.. they’re all magical at this age!
23. Essential oils.
24. Sitting in a sauna.
25. Feeling productive.
26. Cooking healthy meals while listening to a good podcast.
27. When the kids eat all their vegetables.
28. A good grocery haul.
29. Collecting daily eggs from our chickens. 🐓
30. Soft and stretchy leggings.
31. Goal setting or intention setting.
32. Notebooks and planners.
33. Clear starry nights and full moons. 🌕
34. Feeding my family healthy meals.
35. Plant shopping in the spring. 🪴
36. Affogato, aka ice cream with espresso.
37. Epsom salt baths.
38. Looking at old family photos.
39. Walking barefoot on the grass.
40. Family movie theater/drive-in dates.
41. Tulips, Peonies and Dahlias.
42. Trips to Boston.
43. Exploring new places with Aaron – restaurants, cities, towns, etc.
44. Making lists.
45. Working on my blog and emails.
46. Farmer’s markets.
47. Gardening. 👩🌾
48. Picking up Avaya from school.
49. Our backyard.
50. Trips to Cape Cod.
Don’t forget to download the free printable, or make your own list elsewhere, because there is indeed power in listing happiness. ✨📝