What do you get when you cross a vampire and a snowman?
…
Frostbite!
Har, har, har!! And no, I didn’t come up with that precious gem by myself – it was part of an advertisement on one of the chairlifts I just happened to ride up on this weekend.
But all jokes aside, I think I am actually dealing with some slight frostbite. Despite the fact that I was bundled up like a ninja, with only my nose poking out…
… there’s one patch high up on my left cheek that doesn’t feel quite right. Ahh well, it’ll heal; and it was more than worth it – this weekend was definitely one for the books. But since I already kind of recapped some of my trip and didn’t really take any more pictures aside from this one…
… I thought I’d switch gears today and spend a little bit of time talking about happiness; and what better day to do that than on a marvelous Monday?
I’m a firm believer in the idea that happiness is a choice, and that no matter what else is going on in our lives, we can still be happy if we choose to focus on the good rather than the bad – and trust me, there’s plenty of good. A little while ago, Brittany wrote a great post about the every day sorts of things that make her happy – calling it her happy list – and I loved the idea so much that I figured I’d follow suit and come up with a happy list of my own. So, in no particular order…
Sunshine… Waking up to a sunny day instantly sets me up for a good mood, and getting my daily dose of Vitamin D makes me one happy camper.
Acting like a kid… There’s no denying that I’m all of 12 years old inside. Teddies, Disney, Lucky Charms marshmallows… One of the things I love most about kids is their ability to get excited over virtually anything, so why not follow suit?
Breakfast for dinner… It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of breakfast, which is why I don’t bother limiting it to one meal a day. There are some days where I end up having a breakfast-type meal for each of my three mains, and nothing makes me look forward to a meal more than the knowledge that it’ll be breakfasty…
Coffee… The smell. The taste. Swoon. I once overheard a conversation where a girl was telling her friend that no one actually enjoys the taste of coffee and that people only drink it for the buzz… I have to disagree – I legitimately love the taste of coffee, and unless I’m having a latte or cappuccino, I actually prefer my coffee black without any added milk or sugar. The buzz is just an added bonus.
Being outside… I feel the most in my element when I’m out in nature. Sun on my face, wind in my hair, dirt under my toes… being outside is where I feel most at peace. That’s probably why the winter can be so difficult for me – not enough time outside!
New food finds… Actually, this one applies to new product finds in general, but being Canadian and having to constantly deal with seeing delicious foods on blogs that I can never find in stores around here means I get especially excited when I do manage to come across those foods. Cue grocery aisle happy dance.
Baking… Therapy is expensive. Baking is [relatively] cheap and much tastier…
Blogging… I’ve had a pretty rocky relationship with blogging in the past (uhm… hello two extended blog hiatuses), but I finally feel like I’m in a good place with it. I love the community and the sense of connection I get from sharing and learning, but most of all, I love the people that blogging has introduced me to. Never in a million years did I think that I’d make such meaningful long-distance friendships, where a day without texting/e-mailing back and forth makes me feel like something is seriously missing from my life.
Beautifying… I’m a beauty junkie. Makeup, creams, perfume, hair products, nail polishes… I love it all; and nothing can raise my spirits more than a little pampering. I had a pretty rough day last Friday, and an evening at-home spa session worked wonders in calming me down and lifting me up.
Reading… Books are my life. There isn’t any moment in all of my 28 years where I can remember not reading something. Even back in school when I had my nose buried in textbooks, I was always reading something for pleasure as well. There’s nothing like a good story to escape the hum-drum monotony of everyday life.
I could probably go on and on forever about the things that make me smile (fresh bed sheets, puppy feet, chocolate, the smell of freshly cut grass…), but in the interest of time, and the fact that I have to run to the dentist right away (think happy thoughts!!), I should probably end it here. I hope you guys are having an amazing start to your week, and I’ll talk to you tomorrow!
. – . – . – .
What are some things on your happy list?
AND… do you enjoy the taste of black coffee?
Love this happy list 🙂 Baking and beautifying are definitely at the top of mine!
Great post. Things are really up in the air with my life right now…going through some big transitions and feeling really uneasy about it all. Honestly, one of the things bringing me happiness is checking your wonderful blog and seeing your positivity and optimism. Thanks for reminding me to look on the bright side and focus on all the good things I have going on (because at the end of the day, I am incredibly lucky and blessed). It’s funny how we tend to sweat the small things and worry when often, in the very end, everything works out and things happen for a reason. I just need to keep reminding myself of that and keep my head on straight
Change is never an easy thing to deal with, but just remember that no matter what happens and how things turn out, you’ll always find a way to deal with it.
Love to Read- What a great way to pamper yourself!
Happiness is a choice to a certain extent, but I think if you choose to be happy all the time you don’t quite appreciate it just as much. I can tell you sunshine is WAY on the top of my happy list for sure. That and reading by myself snuggled in a blanket. Just bliss. 🙂
YES to black coffee. As long as it is a good bean, I don’t see any reason to flavor it. Although I do like to put a dash of cream in it to cool it down so that I can chug it faster 😉
And baking…gosh I better get it all in before it starts heating up!! Once it does I don’t DARE turn on my oven! Sweating over baked goods is never a good thing.
I guess that’s one of the great things about living in Canada – it never really gets too hot for baking up here!
I love all your LOVE’s especially waking up to sunshine and birds chirping, and baking, oh and blogging, duh! I havent seen the nacho cheese pop chips, yummm! Oh and I have said this plenty, but cereal for any meal is good for me!
This post just made me so happy 🙂 Great way to begin a week! I love love love black coffee. Whoever said that people drink coffee just for the buzz is so very wrong. The buzz is definitely just an added bonus. Just the smell of coffee makes me happy! Along with lots of other things like checking off everything on my to do list, brunching, aaand pretty much everything on your happy list. hehe.
And after reading this…I may just need to eat breakfast for lunch. And/or dinner.
Happy happy Monday girlie!!
Ohhh! The to-do list! I totally agree. I’ll often put really mundane things on my list just so I can get the satisfaction of checking them off. Brush teeth? CHECK! 😉
I totally agree we choose happiness. I like the happiness list thing because after just reading and relating to it, I’m already happier. I like all of your happiness items, especially the delicious looking breakfast for dinner meals!
I loved Brittany’s idea I think I’m going to do a post like this soon. It’s hard to remember all the good and happy things some days HOWEVER. I have to agree with you on everything you posted. The smell of coffee just puts me in a better mood. I think we should meet up and go explore a grocery store together and enjoy all the new foods we find. 😉 cause I know I LOVE that!
Aw so many things from this list is the same as me! I am such a big kid; I love teddies as well & Disney films…definitely the best kind haha 😀 I think no matter how old I get I’ll always be the same!
I’ve just started drinking my coffee black and safe to say I am ADDICTED!! I tried it with sweetener + milk the other day and ewww, can’t believe I used to drink it like that!
New food finds are always great too 🙂 I get so ridiculously excited.
I absolutely love the taste of black coffee. And that picture always makes me laugh, ESPECIALLY the Irish coffee. Hahaha. I think happiness is a choice but it can only take you so far sometimes. I sit down a lot and try to think of things which make me happy but since I’m in pain a majority of the time… Things become… Well, less of a happy experience (ie.. Baking). I hope you don’t have a touch of frostbite and your skin is just getting adjusted to the warm climates lol.
Pain can definitely make things a lot more difficult. Thinking of you, love <3 And I wish it were a case of getting used to warm climates, but it’s still ridiculously chilly here!
I definitely feel “in my element” as well whenever I am outside in nature–hiking, riding my bike, swimming in a lake, etc…There is just something about being outside that makes me feel completely relaxed and at peace with myself. I actually never drink coffee, which I know is unusual for a college student–I would probably like it if I did, but I just don’t feel the urge to drink it or become addicted to caffeine…I absolutely love to read, and some of my favorites are the Harry Potter series, Little Women, War and Peace, Anna Karenina, To Kill a Mockingbird, Animal Farm, 1984, Red Scarf Girl, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and many, many more. Oh, and Disney movies are the BEST; I still love watching them!
All of your happy things are mine as well 🙂 I believe happiness is a choice most of the time. We can choose how to think about things to a certain extent. One thing on my happy list that’s not on yours is my puppies – I couldn’t live without them!
I love this list. Probably because it is so you. I would actually add photography to your happy list because I always feel like you transform posts and moods through that. Coffee – amen to that, there is nothing like the first sip of coffee every morning. Still have yet to find those pop chips but man do I love my normal popchips so these must be a winner.
Photography was actually on my list, but I ran out of time and had to cut it short 🙁
absolutely love things on your list 🙂 blogging community, baking, and outdoors keep me happy. I used to loveee black coffee but i drink more tea now – still love it plain black if i am drinking. Happiness is a choice we all make because sometimes there are situations beyond your control and its entirely upto you to decide how you want to approach it – be happy, let it go or dwell on it and cry!
That pic of you bundled up is hilarious! It could be anyone under there 😉 And, yes, happiness is a “choice” we have to be conscious of & make every single day! We honestly can find joy in such little things if we allow ourselves. For me this past weekend it was coming home to sleep in my own bed & see my family & dog. As I get older, my coffee tastes have surely evolved, I can do black now, usually stick with a splash of coconut milk though. Good luck with the FB (frostbite, not facebook!)
Lol! I definitely thought FB was Facebook, and you wouldn’t be far off at all in wishing me luck with it. I’m still a complete noob when it comes to that area of social media…
I think everything on your list brings me loads of happiness. Sunshine and being outside are definitely at the top of my list though!
pretty much all of my happy things – especially coffee and reading and disney movies! I can’t remember a day in my life where I wasn’t reading something, usually more than one thing at once.
I think happiness is a choice, to an extent. Depression and anxiety has run in my family and my fiancee’s family, and I see how hard it is sometimes for him to be happy. I do think we can choose to try to focus on things that bring us joy and hopefully bring a little light into our lives rather than focusing on the things that get us down. I think part of existing with others is to help with this, too – having an understanding of someone’s darker days and trying to help bring in the good things =)
I love your happy list!! All these things make me happy too- especially sunshine and coffee 🙂 your happy list just made me happy for today, thanks!!
Aww well that just totally made me smile. Thanks girl!
I totally agree that happiness is a choice. I was having a really tough time almost a year ago and I just chose one day to be happy, and I have never looked back. I’ve honestly never been happier than I am now. It’s awesome 😀 Disney, running, pink, food, and nature make me happy 😀 I’m not really a coffee drinker at all, but I used to have it black all the time when I lived in Costa Rica because that’s how they drink it! I got used to it, but haven’t had it in a long time.
Happiness is most definitely a chocie – it’s all about the lens we chose to view life through.
And my happy list is very similar to yours – and yes, I love the taste of coffee too!! Not many people get that. Glad you do!
I’m with you on being child-like….which, I always say is FAR from being childish.
Childish = bad;
Childlike= amazing.
Love this post! So glad you know what makes you happy and are committed to having those things in your life 🙂
I totally agree with you – happiness is a choice! My happy list includes mornings – especially sunny ones, walking my dog, running, wine and cooking. I am happier just thinking about this list 🙂
I enjoy lists so that is how I will approach this comment 🙂
1. OUCH to the frost bite! You were bundled up! I can’t believe you still got a little bite!
2. I see uh…. ALL of those movies that I want to watch- can I come over and watch them while eating some of your delicious baked goodness?
3. Breakfast for dinner is the greatest idea ever.
4. COMPLETELY agree with the blogging comment. <3
Loved the idea of this happy post. I personally drink coffee for the smell haha. Maybe it’s weird, but it’s true. The irish coffee picture is funny hehe. Have a good week!
I love this post so much. I agree with EVERYTHING you say. I too think happiness is a choice – not in every situation, since faith sometimes hits us, but still, it is about US what we make out of it. There is so much beauty and happiness out there, if we manage to see and experience it, we can be happy every day.
Family, Friendship, Beautyfing, Bloggin and Nature – my medicine for a happy life.
There are definitely times where it’s a lot harder to be happy, but I think even when things get bad, it’s important to always try to find a little bit of positivity to help us get through it.
I can certainly relate to blogging. Some days I could care less for the blogging world…some days I’m excited to blog. I am always loving funny punned jokes (most people think they are corny…not me. I like them).
Breakfast wins forever.
THIS is why I love you. I’m 100% with you on all of these. (Except the coffee one- I’m not a fan of black coffee!) My happy list includes: not waking up to an alarm, eating a yummy breakfast in bed, lighting candles, baking cookies to share (or not share), starting a great new book, starting a great new TV show ;)…
So many of the the things on your happy list would be on mine, too!
“One of the things I love most about kids is their ability to get excited over virtually anything, so why not follow suit?” – This is basically my motto. Seriously. My boyfriend is constantly laughing at me for how excited I get about the smallest things. Definitely makes life more fun!
I absolutely believe happiness is a choice. I wrote about it here actually! http://www.fitncookies.com/2013/04/11/what-makes-you-happy/ Sunshine and staying light longer are making me very happy lately!
Good ones! I too am a big fan of sunshine and acting like a kid. (speaking of which, can I rent movies from you???) I am also really into walking (leisure or exercise) and patio sittin (preferably but not necessarily with a brewski.)
You can most definitely rent a flick or two, but be kind and please rewind. Ha! Good old VCR tapes. Omigosh I feel old… 😆
I completely agree that happiness is a choice! I think there are times when I fail to remember that. The sun shining through my house and office are enough to put me in a good mood! I really don’t enjoy the taste of any coffee. I don’t think any amount of sugar, or flavored creamer could convince me that coffee tastes good.
Sorry to hear about your frostbite! You’re a tough cookie. I have to agree that blogging has opened me up to new friendships and I love that! I also love being outdoors and can’t get enough of your beautiful Canadian views! Gorgeous! And I totally believe happiness is a choice. Our attitude towards life is our most important asset!
Your Disney collection is calling my name!! I instantly want to be at your house with popcorn and a movie night!!! AH!! I LOVE the taste of coffee..the blacker the better. You already know my happy list and YES YES I think we have the ability to 100% perpetuate our own happiness!
Yay happy lists! 100% agree with being outside, breakfast, baking, blogging/awesome blogger friendships, reading, acting like a 12-year-old…you are basically my brunette, Edmonton-ian twin (minus the coffee thing ;-))
I’m so excited that the weather is getting better so I can get outside again. It’s supposed to go up to 19 degrees today!! 😀 That thrills me beyond belief. Definitely happiness-inducing and I will get a walk or run in at some point to enjoy it.
Other things on my happiness list: taking a day off from schoolwork, chocolate in any form, being in bare feet (I hate wearing socks), having a delicious meal (whether I made it or someone else made it for me), cuddling, getting a magazine or a package in the mail, that satisfied feeling you get after you finish cleaning…I could go on.
I absolutely think that our lives are what we make of them. So, if we decide that we want to be happy, it’s entirely possible. If we decide that we don’t want to look at the bright side of situations, then chances are, life will be pretty miserable. Clearly, I choose the former!
P.S. I love the BAH! in your post picture…pretty sure that is my exact response whenever I’m having trouble putting a post together :-p
I love that you could go on and on… that’s how life should be! 😀 And I 100% agree about the socks…
I love this post! I definitely think that happiness is a choice. Granted, sometimes bad things happen and it’s okay to feel that pain and mend, but know that things could always be worse. As my mother always says- be thankful for what you have, and not miserable for what you don’t have. Choose to be happy in this moment and the rest will fall into place.
Such a great happy list! Loved the selfie of you snowboarding haha I’ve taken very similar pictures before. And you make it sound like acting like you’re 12 is a bad thing 😉
Haha love that joke- I am all for corny jokes! What’s Obama’s favorite vegetable? ….BARRACK-ali ;)! More than corny jokes, I love your happy list and couldn’t help but smile as I kept reading…a bunch of those would fall in my list too including Brinner, mid-morning coffee dates (love the taste and ritual of drinking it daily), and sunshine. Some other things that make me happy is listening to old music, watching chick flicks, dark chocolate and long phone calls with close friends/family! As you know, I 110% agree that happiness is a choice and all it takes is a bit of gratitude and a change of perspective to turn any frown upside down. You are welcome for the cheesy ending ;)!
I’m all for cheesy, smile-inducing endings 😛
Haha that is a pretty awesome joke 😉
I adore your happy list and kind of want to make on myself now!
I also have to agree with many of them.
Especially beautifying, blogging, Breakfast for Dinner, reading, coffee, okay let’s just say I agree with all of them ha.
Seriously though.
I definitely think happiness can be a choice, unless you suffer from a mental illness like depression or other things like that, because it takes a lot more effort to come out of that. However, if you’re just having a bad day, I think it definitely is a choice you made to view your day bad, instead of looking at all the bright stuff in life.
Happy Monday my love!!
You should definitely make one! It really helps during those funks. Happy Monday, hun 🙂