Another Monday is here. I swear, some days, even an espresso IV wouldn’t be enough to kick start my morning. So today I’m trying something new to rustle up the energy to get going: Gratitude and happiness.
I know, I know. Here we are after a nice holiday weekend, bellies full of Easter candy and heads full of dreams of being free as a bird. Now we face a full week of work…staring us in the face, taunting “Na, na, na, na, screw you.” Trying to rustle up thankfulness might sound worse than decaf right now. But I thought by sharing some random things that make me happy, you might be moved to do the same–and then we can combat this Moody Monday with a big middle finger of joy.
Let’s go!
25 Things That Make Me Happy
1. Words. There’s nothing more versatile and impactful than beautiful language. Words are sexy.
2. Drawing on styrofoam takeout boxes
3. When Atlas reaches up to hold my hand without me asking…mellllltttttt!
4. Bodega storefronts filled with spring tulips, peonies and hyacinth
5. That first sip of hot tea when the temperature and flavor is absolute perfection
6. Lightning storms and rain that lasts all day
7. Days when creativity just flows without coaxing
8. Not changing out of my soft wrap robe with a hood. The hood is crucial for ultimate lounging.
9. Nuzzling into Husboy’s hair at night
10. Baking with my grandmothers (Actually, doing anything at all with my grandmothers.)
11. Trying to guess the ending of the movie
12. Hot, bubbly cheese and bread in any combination or variety
13. Stumbling upon a foggy, dreamy memory that had been forgotten
14. A killer A-line skirt
15. The ocean when it’s nearly still
16. Strangers who hold the door and smile
17. Converting a Final Draft script document to PDF and knowing that it is complete
18. The smell of Pine Trees
19. Blasting Blind Melon’s ‘Soup’ in its entirety in the morning and singing at the top of my lungs
20. Finding children’s books lost in our bed
21. The kind of workout you avoid, force yourself to finish and then feel like a gladiator for completing
22. Kissing. Any kind, any where. I’ll take it.
23. Brand new pencils, sharpened
24. Talking to my parents. As an adult, your understanding of your own father and mother sometimes becomes far more clear and opens up some more space for unconditional love.
25. Animals doing cute things on the internet
Bonus 26: The photo at the top of this post
Now it’s your turn. What makes you happy? If you have a blog, feel free to share it here and keep this post moving forward. Have an exceptional Monday, sweeties! xx
This made me smile. Always good to take time and appreciate the little things. Seeing the adorable pictures of Atlas remind me of my sons at that age. What makes me the happiest now is watching them grow and succeed, my oldest is about to complete his first year of college and the excitement he has is contagious. My youngest just turned 13 and big changes abound.
Making this list was fun and also a welcome distraction from a routine Monday morning! http://cyndifferous.tumblr.com/post/141838672540/monday-happies
YES. Thank you for this. It forced me to snap out of my Monday blues. I made my own list on my blog!
http://www.sunshinebound.com/2016/03/monday-happiness-and-week-18-bump-update.html
I loved reading this. It really made me think of things that make me smile too. Thanks for it. I sent a gift for you with Claudio that’ll hopefully add some happiness to you when you receive it 🙂
You’re too sweet! Thank you for thinking of me-xx
Its the least I could do. Chondra you and Claudio really helped me when I was at a low point. I had two miscarriages last summer back to back and it was devastating. However I was able to pull through with the help of Coheeds music especially songs from the new album and from things you would post on Instagram. I know it sounds funny but whenever you would post up things about Atlas, being a mom or even just something peaceful it made me smile. You’re definitely someone I look up to and I aspire to be a momma like you one day. Thanks again for being so down to earth.
http://destonk00.tumblr.com/post/141844644600/1-the-relaxing-feeling-of-not-having-to-set-my
This is my list. It is a tangled mess of different foods, traveling favorites, babies, music, and boys. Enjoy 🙂
YES! Thank you for sharing! So great!
What makes me happy is babysitting my granddaughter (8months). Watching her grow up, and waiting for our grandson’sons birth just as Athena turns one Ares will be born. Atlas,Adonis were names considered. The reconnecting with my hubby after 23 years and becomin grandparents . I was brought to tears of what makes you happy. And I think that the simple thing of life that enrich us ,make us feel good and make memories. _REConrad-?
LOVE this! Becoming a grandparent must be incredible.
That was uplifting Miss C! You melted my heart at the mention of grandmothers’ <3 what a blessing. Some things that make me happy: sunshine on my face, digging in the dirt, swimming, the purr of my cat, chicken noodle soup, my Mom's dachshund, my home, watching the neighborhood children play outside, having the ocean so near by, my best friends, and music!
All perfect choices. Grandmothers are really something special. I’m so happy that Atlas has grandmas and great grandma’s!
25) That initial drop in temperature when summer officially converts to Fall, and everything smells different.
24) A new tattoo
23) Checking my balance at the ATM, and finding it is higher than originally anticipated.
22) Wrapping up in my panda blanket
21) Binge-watching anything and everything on Netflix
20) My daughter’s deep belly laugh
19) When my daughter requests “my” music in the car (and sings along)
18) When Coheed and Cambria announces a Philly show
17)When my 4 dogs go crazy upon hearing my key in the door
16) 4 wiggly dog butts as I walk through said door
15) Breathing in my husband’s scent when he hugs me super tight *swoon*
14) When my daughter randomly tells me I’m pretty
13) When my friends buy me Halloween presents. (Halloween is my favorite holiday, and everyone in my life is fully aware).
12) HALLOWEEN
11) Hosting parties
10) Cooking
9) Listening to music on a Saturday morning while doing housework (which is exactly what my mother did, and I remember those days well)
8) When my daughter masters something she thought she couldn’t do
7) Anything and everything relating to Disney.
6) Re-connecting with old friends
5) Sipping Hazlenut coffee on a beautiful Fall day. (Er…or, any day, really…but especially in the Fall)
4) When my house looks and smells clean
3) Writing
2) Teaching preschool (which has been my career for 9 years now)
1) Family days (Just me, my husband, and Chase going out somewhere fun, hanging out at the playground, or just lounging around the house–as long as we’re together without a schedule or timeline).
These are amazing! That first drop in temperature is something to behold. xoxo