I've been thinking about this myself lately. I wrote a list of things that give me joy, including things I can do with no planning, and things that require some effort.
1. listen to music with noise cancelling headphones with the fire going on a cold day. Maybe with a book if the music is ambient.
2. Walk a loop around the river paying attention to trees
3. look at photos of me and family at the beach/in the summer/camping
4. curling up in bed with hot water bottle and good novel with clean fresh flannelette sheets
5. having a good laugh with friends and family -- funny cat videos, playing a game, tickles with kids
6. planting plants
7. harder things -- going on a walk or trip to somewhere beautiful
8. harder thing -- making music and singing with others
9. harder thing-- swimming somewhere non chlorinated and quiet
10. harder thing-- climbing a mountain or hill and getting a fantastic view
11. harder thng -- hosting a party
12. getting up early and doing a workout or yoga and the amazing feeling afterwards
13. going to a yoga class and having the shivasana at the end
14. sitting in stillness and wordless prayer/meditation
15. calling my best friends/family for chats and laughs
A few years ago I did a free online course from Berkley (where else 😉) called the science of happiness. It actually was very good. As well as the usual suspects like gratitude, the importance of social links etc it had a section on awe. I loved that.
I've been thinking about this myself lately. I wrote a list of things that give me joy, including things I can do with no planning, and things that require some effort.
1. listen to music with noise cancelling headphones with the fire going on a cold day. Maybe with a book if the music is ambient.
2. Walk a loop around the river paying attention to trees
3. look at photos of me and family at the beach/in the summer/camping
4. curling up in bed with hot water bottle and good novel with clean fresh flannelette sheets
5. having a good laugh with friends and family -- funny cat videos, playing a game, tickles with kids
6. planting plants
7. harder things -- going on a walk or trip to somewhere beautiful
8. harder thing -- making music and singing with others
9. harder thing-- swimming somewhere non chlorinated and quiet
10. harder thing-- climbing a mountain or hill and getting a fantastic view
11. harder thng -- hosting a party
12. getting up early and doing a workout or yoga and the amazing feeling afterwards
13. going to a yoga class and having the shivasana at the end
14. sitting in stillness and wordless prayer/meditation
15. calling my best friends/family for chats and laughs
Love this list so much 💖
A few years ago I did a free online course from Berkley (where else 😉) called the science of happiness. It actually was very good. As well as the usual suspects like gratitude, the importance of social links etc it had a section on awe. I loved that.