AnchorMommy

10 things that make me happy

January 27, 2010 by Shannon

Ever stop to think about what makes you happy? Really, truly happy?

When I got tagged to write a “10 things that make me happy” post by Mom2Miles at Diary of a New Mom, it occurred to me that sometimes my happiness gets pushed aside for more important tasks, like wiping a runny nose or chasing a gagging cat off the carpet and out the front door. I am trying to make more room in my day-to-day life for happiness, and for gratitude. I believe the two go hand-in-hand. Luckily, it doesn’t take a lot to make me happy — I just have to remember to work the little things in on a regular basis. Such as:

1. A new magazine. I love the smell of a fresh, new magazine that no one has yet to leaf through. They’re shiny, they’re pretty, and they’re full of cool ideas. I love new magazines so much that I have a pretty big problem with throwing them away. I have stacks of them stashed all over the place. It’s my little secret.
2. Snow skiing. There are few things I love more than whooshing down a mountain. It’s zen-like, really. These days I don’t get to ski as much as I’d like (especially not now with a growing baby belly) but there will come a time that I will. Both our kids will learn to ski. In fact, Kellan already is and he’s doing a great job.
3. Hearing my son speak nicely to other people. I never realized that something this simple would make me feel so happy!
4. Good music, good shows. I don’t have much time to search out new music anymore, but I love discovering a good band. And I love seeing a good show. U2 shows are by far some of my favorite, but there is nothing like seeing a great band in a small Boise venue. Spoon and Band of Horses are some that come to mind. The only thing that will keep me away from a Finn Riggins show (they are a fantastic Boise-based band) is a lack of a babysitter.
5. A nice dinner, ALONE, with my husband. A meal in which there are no booster seats, sippy cups, or kids’ menus involved.
6. Christmas. My absolute FAVORITE holiday — always has been, always will be. It’s much more work than it used to be — especially now that we have to factor in a fair amount of toy assembly — but having Kellan around has made this holiday that much sweeter.
7. Working out. I used to hate working out, and I could only do it if I had a workout buddy or a TV to watch. But we’ve recently joined a gym and I suddenly LOVE exercising. It gives me time to read a magazine or just zone out in peace. When I pick up Kellan from the in-house childcare area, I feel sorta like I’ve had a mini-vacation.
8. Giggle fits. When I melt into a puddle of giggles on the floor, which happened more times than I’d like to admit while I was on air, I am TREMENDOUSLY embarrassed. But honestly? Those giggle fits are pretty cathartic. And I still get a chuckle out of the time I giggled nonstop about a fly that landed on my shoulder as I was delivering a report about terrorists. I was mortified at the time, but it’s pretty funny to look back on now.
9. Spending time with old friends. Laughing about old jokes and shared memories is a total luxury in my book. It’s a reminder that I used to be a fun, spontaneous person — and still can be from time to time.
10. Dessert. I have a serious sweet tooth. I abstain from dessert most of the time, but just ask my husband — I get positively giddy over a big hunk of chocolate cake. The gooier and chocolatey-er the better! But I also love a delicious bowl of gelato or ice cream. And pie. And cupcakes (even though I nearly OD’d on them last year).

There you have it! Now it’s my turn to tag a few fellow bloggers to write about their own 10 happiness triggers:

• Meg at Meg’s Knitting Knot
• Loukia at Lou Lou’s Views
• Lindsay at Banter
• Michelle at My Two Seasons
• Maria at Bored Mommy